Edwin Dare--Can't Break Me (1994)
Rating--9.0
Feel the Power--RealAudio Can't Break Me--RealAudio
More layered choruses and time/beat changes in the music lead this release towards more of a Dream Theater sound
than the debut, but the music is still much heavier than the boys of Images and Words. Queensryche is also conjured, but mainly
due to Barnes's vocals, as there are more musical riffs present here than (present day) QR. Not quite as "WFO" (see Overkill) as the previous, but the riffs have advanced
a bit non-the-less.
"The Backburner" features a slashing, riff-based groove, and a heavy pre-chorus chug. "Never Had Time"
starts out with a slow intro, and then...razor-riff! BC Rich gets free endorsements all over this disc!... "Lies" is a majestic song
that features extremely Tate-like vocals, as the emotion just drips throughout the song. A soaring, multi-layered chorus adds to the
strong effect.
The second half of the disc toughens things up a bit, as "This Warrior" starts out with a gothic, Malmsteen riff, and
then churns onward in pure speed--Priest fashion. "Test of Will" reminded a little of Racer X at first listen, though
it's a sound I'll forever more relate to Edwin Dare...
HOT CHOPS: The killer riffs are everywhere, but two in particular that haven't been mentioned yet shall be: When the album opens,
hold on to your seat--"Feel the Power" is just that, as it's pull-off heaven up at the top of Kollman's BC neck...
The title song
closes out the disc, and the straffing, harmonic action is pure delight. Oh, yes!!
TRACK LIST: Feel the Power/Don't Listen to Your Head/The Backburner/Never Had Time/Lies/This Warrior/Gone & Run Away/
End of the Story/Test of Will/Can't Break Me
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