Stephen
Diary is an overlooked melodic rock act from Germany, which is sadly a stranger and unknown to many. "To The Edge And Beyond" is their sole album, released in 1998 by a small label, Maple Leaf and their musical style is in the veins of their fellow German bands such as Bonfire or Casanova with a touch of Sweden's Europe and Treat. The spotlight of the band is on the singer Andreas Stoller which has a high range of vocal and the quality of his pipes is stunning, sometimes even reminds me of a youthful Joey Tempest. The tiny problem is when he attempts to hit the high notes, he seems to slightly ran off key a bit before he regained his control again and maintained his great voice on the right corridor.
This album is a paradise for those who love catchy hooks, killer melodies, and huge chorus. "So Many Eyes" is reminiscent of Europe's "Stormwind" classic, "Don't Believe In Miracles" has the best chorus of the decade and this is the best track of the album, "Can't Let You Go" and "Burning Heart" is a fun piece of great melodic rock, "Too Late For Love" is another solid song with its barking riffs and pounding rhythm, "I've Lost My Faith In You" is a commercial-layered song that can conquered the Billboard chart in the 80s, and "All My Love For You" is a beautiful heart melting ballad. Hard to pick any fillers at all as the other songs like "Tears of A Child", "Miles Away From Home", or "After Your Love Is Gone" are good as well.
Judging by the quality of the album, Diary should have joined the big four of German melodic rockers if this was released 10 years earlier, but bad timing and lacks of promotion buried them quickly. If you came across this disc for a bargain price, don't hesitate, it could be your best buy of the year.