With "Tinnitus Sanctus", EDGUY has shed the Metal in favor of the Hard Rock that was initially experimented with on "Rocket Ride". Unfortunately, "Tinnitus Sanctus" won't ring your ears nor will it even come close to ringing your bell.

Things get to a good start for a few seconds - the opening riff of "Ministry Of Saints" seems to channel the density of DEEP PURPLE before flaming out into a toe-tapping, anthem-heavy rocker. Tobias Sammet's vocals are wobbly as he tries his best to snarl and sound sexy while the massive gang chorus pour on the cheese. There is a nice raunchy riff at the beginning of "Sex Fire Religion" that unfortunately is quickly replaced by some pulsating bass and very limited guitar input. The chorus just might be more painful than the song's overall Pop-friendly pandering. For about ten seconds, "The Pride Of Creation" seems to return to the Power Metal but unfortunately every hint of Power is really overshadowed by the saccharine sweet, upbeat melodies, and bombastic chorus. "Nine Lives" is wasted by kooky keyboards and a painfully typical chugging riff. "Wake Up Dreaming Black" does have a few nice solos in the middle of a bunch of Pop-fueled nonsense; "Dragonfly" is some sort of ham-fisted power ballad that tries to retain some street level realism, while "Thorn Without A Rose" could have been a "Slip Of The Tongue"-era WHITESNAKE cover.

Things get really weird with the Power Metal friendly "Speedhoven" - finally EDGUY picks up the pace and the Hammond is a nice addition to the rumbling riffs and drums. The song seems almost out of place until the Soft Rock interlude seems to beg for stadium lighter action before guitarist Jens Ludwig and Dirk Sauer finally show up and give us some solos that are creative and fun. At least "Dead Or Rock" tries for a few moments to deliver some serious Hard Rock before going BON JOVI with the chorus and Pop appeal.

Here's where it gets absolutely awful: The Kentucky-fried Rockabilly stomp of "Aren't You A Little Pervert Too?" is terrifying. Sammet whines about perversion but with lyrics that couldn't arouse a teenager on Viagra, the song comes off creepier than geriatric pornography. Sure, the song is a joke, but Sammet and the boys come off not only as juvenile, but warped and foolish. "Tinnitus Sanctus" reeks of commercial appeal, by-the-book performances, rushed writing and some of the goofiest lyrics ever penned. POISON, WARRANT and even WINGER have heavier, better and more memorable material than this. If it is said that METALLICA sold out with "Load", then EDGUY committed suicide with "Tinnitus Sanctus". Whatever.