Phoenix Reign
Demo
By D-Day
"Editorus Magnificus"
The term "Female Fronted Metal Band" would normally bring thoughts of Nightwish, Leaves Eyes or Of Infinity to mind (not that there's anything wrong with that, of course) but Phoenix Reign goes in a diffrent direction.
The beginning of the first song, "Another Night Alone" certainly brings those bands to mind, but that's simply because it's a female singing. It soon jumps into a Maidenesque sound that is done rather well. It made me think of Iron Maiden playing with Bruce's sister on vocals.
The second song, "Hook Through My Heart" is basically what the title implies. Singer Theresa Gaffney sings a soulful song concerning heartbreak and I suddenly want to give her a hug as I listen to it. One of the highlights for me here is the almost seventies sounding funk-style guitar work in the middle. I know what you're probably thinking:
"What? Heartbreak and funk sounding guitar in the same song?"
You'll just have to hear it for yourselves. It works well though.
Third, we have "Constantinople 1453" which I would consider one of those epic-sounding songs in the same vein as an Iced Earth selection. And like Iced Earth, there's the Maiden influence here as well. It's pretty obvious who one of the bands' main influences must be.
My overall view? Well, as the band themselves would surely understand, I would love to hear this same collection with a proffesional production. Not that it's so bad now, but the possibilities are mind boggling. I'd also like to hear Theresa's voice going full throttle rather than sounding like she's singing into a recorder. Does that make sense? Meaning, not so much thinking about it, but just letting loose!
It's obvious that Phoenix Reign would be an awesome band to see live as well. They have the talent and the "balls", and that's what's important to me. Great singing, great musicianship and the old-school style that we desperately need today. I recommend them to any metal fan and I look forward to the first full production.
Phoenix Reign is a prime example of why I've steered D-Day's Revenge in the direction it's going, as far as discovering new bands. Should we find out what's "new" simply by what the newsletters or radio tell us? Or do we go out and FIND it? Considering what is usually offered up to us in the mainstream out there today, I choose to go find it.
D-Day
