Review Summary: No need to make out with a Darth Vader statue anymore. Then again, this album would greatly enhance the experience.
It was a time of suffering and chaos. Then, one day, Star Wars arrived to the screens. Certain Star Wars shows these days may not carry the same magic as the OG movies (ex. Boba Fett), but the force will always be with riffs. This is the way. Special Edition brings Star Wars metal back (released one day before Star Wars day, god bless these fuckers), and begins triumphantly with a heavy version of the classic 20th Century Fox intro one would be familiar with due to its constant presence in the OG movies. With that, nostalgia is lit and ablaze in the hearts of all nerds (me included). The band then continue to play Star Wars tunes to riffs, as per tradition.
Star Wars fanatics will have a field day here, the production is immaculate and the riffs spunky. A metal version of The Mandalorian is here, finally. The Imperial Suite and The Battle of Hoth are also very welcome additions. Attack Position may be the most impressive track, with AT-AT destroying blast-beats and frenetic landspeeder-like whizzing guitar noise. The guitars go absolutely crazy, technically speaking. Instrumental metalcore, technical death metal or alt metal, these terms apply and bring death to stars. No vocals are needed — feel, don’t think, trust your guitarstincts.
This band continues to heroically go where no metal band has gone befo… oops, someone mixed my cards, my bad. Cover songs are nothing new to metal, but Galactic Empire’s determination to cover every Star Wars track ever, and with incredible skill, costumes, and fun music videos is a godsend. The track The Battle of Hoth is so good, and so built to be a metal track it brings tears to me eyes (not really, but it does rule). What’s next? Collaborate with Disney and have their songs featured in propaganda? Create original Star Wars tunes? The possibilities are endless, but for now, I will enjoy being whipped with Alderaan exploding Star Wars riffs.
