Nottingham’s Phoenix Lake will release their debut album, “Seraphina: The Fall From Eden”, on the 27th of February, combining elements of power metal, hard rock and symphonic metal.
It is a wondrous creation that will keep you rapt through each track. Opening with “Sor El (The Descent)”, a piano and spoken word intro that leads to “Fall From Eden”, a brilliant track that sets the tone. opening with in a flurry of drums and a soaring riff that compliment Phillis’ incredible vocals when she first enters the fray, a pulsing drum beat and thumping bass lead the way with some amazing guitar work backing it up, a fantastic track, “This Abyss” is one of the heavier tracks on the album, the drum and bass combo drive the track with both Synott and Smith pushing their respective instruments to the limit as Wilson works wonders on his guitar with some great riffs, Phillis’ vocals are excellent and she even tries her hand at some unclean vocals to great effect, this is a real standout track.
“Heart Of Oblivion” once again sees Synott pushing the drums to the limit to create a driving beat from which the band builds a truly amazing track, the riffs are cutting and the bass rumbles with intent in the background which gives Phillis the springboard to go all out and showcase her obvious immense talent, the track gets heavy as hell just past midway and Wilson lets rip with a killer solo, the haunting choral backdrop adds a little extra to this one, possibly the best track on the album. “Fractured Wings” has a heavy power metal feel, with a pulsating drumbeat, melodic riffs, a savage solo, and Philis’s lung-busting vocals.
The title track “Seraphina” keeps this monster rolling with another cracking track, riveting from the outset due to the pulsating drum and bass beat and galloping riff, this has a feel of Epica or Nightwish and it is brilliant, the guitar work again is off the chain, and the solo Wilson drops is amazing, while Phillis once again amazes with her strong vocals. “Echo 1(Embers)”, “Echo 2(Hollow Light)” and “Echo 3(The Bloom)” are all short, atmospheric, hushed spoken word tracks, with the last one closing out the album. “The Divine” is a slow ballad-style number that showcases the power of Phillis’ voice against the band’s heaviness; a cracking solo from Wilson puts the cherry on top. “Woven In Time” the melodic rhythm to this one is insane and for all its airiness it is still heavy, instantly grabbing your attention, the guitar soars alongside Phillis vocals while chaos crashes around from the monster drum and bass beat, another outstanding track. “Bells Of Variel” is an absolute banger; a massive drum beat and booming bass power this one, and combined with the heavy riffs that run throughout, they give Phillis a platform to let go with some amazing vocals ranging from the melodic to the demonic at the backend of the track, a monster number. Another that grabs you from the start is “Serenity” with its Maidenesque galloping rhythm laid down by the drum and bass of Synott, and Smith adds in Wilson’s magical guitar work, and Phillis vocals, and you have yourself an amazing track.
“I’ll Let You Go” is the last full track on the album and is a true power ballad, Phillis’ vocals are immense and with the stripped back accompaniment of the band, which explodes in a crescendo mid way through, allows you to really feel the song, Wilson out does himself on this one with some amazing guitar work and possibly one of the best solos you will hear this year before fading away to allow Phillis to close the track, simply phenomenal.
Hard to believe this is their debut album, as they sound so tight and well-polished.
“Seraphina: The Fall From Eden” is out on 27th February
Review: Conor
Phoenix Lake are:
Lana Phillis Vocals
Ash Wilson Guitar
Zak Smith Bass
Joe Synott Drums
www.facebook.com/PhoenixLakeOfficial
