Edenbridge is kind of an unfulfilled prophecy. 'Sunrise in Eden", "Arcana" and "Shine" were amazing albums. Then they tried something new and tried to reinvent themselves, which was great attempt to find its own voice in power/symphonic/female scenes. I know that many don't like "Grand Design", but I find it interesting and quite fresh. The things seemed to change with MyEarthDream, which was an album on another level. Like the band finished its puberty and finally matured to create original, interesting music. But somehow they just got the inspiration only for that album. Since then all the albums are the same. They returned to their old style, which, to be honest, Edenbridge perfected. And songs are good, but you always know what you get without any surprises. This always saddens me, that the band clearly had the equipment to make much better albums, but something got in a way of that.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed every album, cause it's familiar, cozy, but nothing new.
"Shangri-la" is probably the best post-MyEarthDream era album, even if nothing new, but melodies and songwriting somehow seem better than on the last albums. And I'll take it for now, especially when female fronted sympho scene is almost at its final breath. At least Edenbridge is not selling themselves out like Xandria and many others.

Man, her voice sounds almost as bad as it did on the Aphelion album. Kind of ruins the listening experience. It might take my awhile to decide if I like this one.

Not sure if its best, maybe not but its decent and good album, good vocals, melodies, songs, song writing, not so much keyboard overflow here, guitar driven. Really enjoyable album.

Okay, so after a really focused listen to this album; I can say that it has left a bigger impression on me compared to "Dynamind", which was really forgettable. The symphonic parts are superb, with "Freedom Is A Roof Made Of Stars" being easily my favorite (which I was shocked at considering the name). Agree with @annodomini up there with the part about it possessing more "Arcana" sound than the recent albums. However, I just wish they would calm it down with these choirs on the choruses, verses and basically anywhere, and let Sabine shine more - although she sounds a bit tired on this record (grant not as much as on "The Bonding"). But she didn't lose that lightness that her voice usually possesses, and her vocals are quite enjoyable. All in all, a decent album I would say.

Peaked with MyEarthDream and Solitaire, and swiftly downhill since then.

Also, Sabine's vocals are sounding pretty rough at parts. Not sure how many more albums she has left in her.

Maybe their best one in those last years. So many magic, melody and epicness. Don't understand the complains about Sabine's vocals. I just hear her work and notice that her voice has matured as time passes by. Don't notice her tired or something like that.

My favorite songs: At First Light, Arcadia (The Great Escape) and The Bonding (Part 2) (this one is SUPREME DELIGHT!)