Edenbridge - Set The Dark On Fire (2026)
Set The Dark On Fire feels like Edenbridge leaning confidently into their comfort zone — but doing so with enough renewed energy and bite to elevate the experience above mere genre routine. The album benefits from a stronger sense of momentum and density than some of their past work: the guitars carry more weight, the orchestration is tighter, and the vocals sit with authority rather than floating above everything in a purely decorative role.
What works particularly well here is the balance between symphonic sweep and metallic grounding. When the band locks into a solid rhythmic drive, the songs gain real propulsion, and the melodic instincts remain sharp throughout. There’s a sense that Edenbridge is less interested in excess fantasy ornamentation and more focused on writing songs that move — structurally and emotionally — even if they stay within familiar frameworks.
That said, the album rarely takes real risks. The arrangements are polished and professional, but they tend to resolve exactly where you expect them to. For all its strength and cohesion, Set The Dark On Fire doesn’t often challenge the listener’s expectations or push the genre forward; instead, it refines it. The drama is controlled, the emotion carefully measured rather than raw.
At a 65, this lands as a solid, satisfying symphonic metal record — one that rewards attentive listening and genre affinity, even if it doesn’t quite transcend its lineage. It’s confident, well-crafted, and genuinely enjoyable, but its power lies more in execution than in revelation.
Genre: Symphonic Metal
Country: Austria
Final Verdict: 65% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 10th / 36
Highlight: Spark Of The Everflame - The Winding Road To Evermore
Made me think of:
Nightwish
Epica
Visions of Atlantis
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