Description

European power metal reached its high between 1997 and 2002. In the late 90s many labels were trying to find a new Stratovarius, Rhapsody and so on. Even a band like Grave Digger who had been going since the early 80s had now reached a whole new level of fans by strong albums like Tunes Of War, Knights Of The Cross and Excalibur. And members of Sonata Arctica saw Stratovarius career skyrocketing thanks to albums like Visions and Destiny and decided to form their own band Sonata Arctica. A label like LMP had struck gold with Rhapsody and their debut album Legendary Tales in 1997 and signed bands like Mob Rules, Lana Lane, Ivory Tower, Kenziner, Concerto Moon and thanks for the popularity of that Rhapsody album most of those other releases on the label started to sell as well. A band from Baden Wurttemberg in Germany called Sharon was signed to the label as well. And with a similar artwork to many other LMP releases and promoted in the same ads in music magazines that the label were promoting Mob Rules. Luca Turilli etc many power metal fans took notice. Sharons one and only album Edge Of Time, were on LMP, had a Thomas Everhard artwork and was recorded by Charlie Bauerfeind so why shouldnt any power metal head be interested in this one. However most who bought this thinking they would get another Gamma Ray, Stratovarius or Rhapsody album found themselves a bit dissapointed. Sharon sure had elements like melodic vocals, catchy refrains, double kick drums and harmony leads. However the production was slick and so were the guitar riffs. The music on here is as much melodic hardrock as its power metal. At their heaviest they sound power metal but those parts are few and the band is more like domain, Pink Cream 69, Axxis, Jaded Heart and even Bon Jovi. However vocalist Tony Pinto can deliever so the band deserved more than what they got. The timing were both right and wrong for them. With a more power metal feel to these songs and the album could have taken off. Going back today its much easier to enjoy this album for what it is and not for what we thought we were going to get back then. It has a lot of commercial parts that were to sweet for power metal fans while at the same time they had parts that were to metal for the AOR crowd.

Track list:
1. Sweet Family
2. Stop Draggin
3. Lies
4. Can You Remember
5. Once
6. Waiting For The Rain
7. Miss The Day
8. Love Dont Bother Me
9. Take It Or Leave It
10. Work
11. Hold You
12. Is It True