The cover of "Destination Unknown" makes me think immediately of the album "Kingdom Of The Knights" of New York power metal band called the GOTHIC KNIGHTS, not only because of the theme, but also in the way that the knights are drawn on it. Whether this formation stands around guitarist John Tsantakis in any direct relationship with PHOENIX REIGN, I do not know. However, at least I already know that PHOENIX REIGN has played jointly together with the "Knights" .
Interesting still in this connection, is that the the state of New York is the home of the band PHOENIX REIGN who also has Greek roots. More still, Billy Chrissochos (G) and Chris Pollatos (B) created the band in the year of 1998 first in Greece, and it was called PHOENIX, before they brought it overseas, and continued from then on under the banner of PHOENIX REIGN. In Kostas Psarros (G) and Wayne Noon (D) they would find more musicians, and then the last entrant to the current line up was when the singer Theresa Gaffney joined the band in the year 2002. In this occupation it was first in the years 2003 and 2005 that demos were picked up, and with "Destination Unknown" became the first long playing demonstration, on which some demo tracks were immortalized.
After the Intro ' The Gates of Bosphorus ' PHOENIX REIGN delivers with ' Transcendent ' a first sample of their knowledge, finely demonstrated, and an extremely melodic metal song was offered here. The riffs ring out in style of the great old master, and in addition Theresa lets her wonderful voice ring out for the first time on this disk also. In ' Masquerade Angel ' PHOENIX REIGN knows how to please likewise, in addition they truly had a genuinely successful song that was pleasant to the ears. The roots of the band are as previously mentioned always at hand, so also in the introduction to ' Forgotten ', by the acoustic tone, the song opens with typically Greek sounds, and these in consequence integrate very skillfully further into a fine melodical Metal Song.
Melodies reign in this band without the event, and besides, the songs are very easy to keep in one's memory, it is because these Greek Americans have simply and grippingly shown how one reveals hooks. The instrument work on "Destination Unknown" is just as thought out and developed as the song. It is also relevant to note that Theresa does not try advance herself in a higher position, and of the female songs that were just announced, she does not sing them aggressively, but she maintains her voice in natural way.
PHOENIX REIGN announced themselves, particularly with this album, they were indeed impressive in the scene with the Long track ' Another Night alone ', in which there was a wonderful, decent show of solo passages reminding me of master Schenker, and with the exclusion in the form of the epic ' Constantinople 1453 (on The Eve Of The Fall) ', they know how to please. In the latter track PHOENIX REIGN gives additionally to the again substantial existing Greek influences, and additionally also still another historical hour to the listener for the topic of its homeland. What more can one actually want?
Song picks: Masquerade Angel, Forgotten, Another Night Alone, Constantinople 1453 (On The Eve Of The Fall)
Thanks to Lorraine for the translation.