Just a number of months into their existence, it is fair to say that Phoenix Rising is already creating a real stir with their rousing sound; their praise drawing presence and suggested success in the “Best New Artist and Best Metal Band awards at this year’s MXD MAG Rock and Metal Awards evidence. Plenty of reasons for the buzz around them are now clear to be heard in their debut EP, Ignite. Offering four slices of rap rock infused with nu metal, the release is an ear grabbing, potential soaked introduction bred on imagination and creative energy.
Emerging from an ad vocalist Kent Summerour posted on Craigslist, the Dallas hailing band arose to swiftly grab local attention, in turn quickly finding broader landscapes to impress. With the two prong vocal attack of Summerour and Scott Lathwood in front of the invention of guitarist Lee Deane, bassist Allan Kurt, drummer James Espinoza, and Mark Ridlen on synths, Phoenix Rising embrace the inspirations of bands such as Hollywood Undead, Skillet, Papa Roach, Killswitch Engage, Union Underground, Linkin Park and more. The latter is probably the one which most comes to mind across their first release but adding to rather than deflecting from the band’s already evolving into individual sound.
Ignite opens up with Do You Know, a piano drawing ears as rhythms rustle together in the background. Soon the track is fully to the fore, not forceful but certainly magnetic as synth and guitar cradle the rap and following clean vocal persuasion. Though it suggests it might, the song never quite explodes into the hinted furor but persistently entices with melodic caresses, vocal dexterity, and a mercurial rhythmic attack.
It is a potent start laying down a strong reason to stay involved with the EP with drama which is soon escalated within the following If I Say No. Immediately there is a more intensive feel and muscle to the song, metal essences lining its composed but impassioned roar. Once more Summerour and Lathwood create a great web of vocal attack and temptation matched by the hooks and melodic enterprise of their companions. As with its predecessor, it is hard to say that major surprises crossed ears yet neither did predictability or a lack of fresh imagination.
Open You Up continues the EP’s trait of building on the song before with bigger and bolder endeavour; the track a tenacious metal infused rock holler mercurial in its breath, persistent in its rousing incitement before easily the best track of the four descends on the passions. Lights Out immediately throws a thick rhythmic coaxing out so easy to jump upon; an initial shuffle before the main event which erupts and incites like a mix of Union Underground and Powerman 5000. Virulent in its hooks and traps, aggressive in its energy and dynamics, the superb track is brief, explosive, and reason enough alone to breed a hungry appetite for the band’s sound.
Ignite is the kind of debut you just have to pay attention to and anticipate bigger and bolder adventures springing from as the band grows, matures, and their sound finds its unique voice. The fuss around them already means Phoenix Rising will have plenty to live up to but the EP and especially its final track suggests they are more than ready or the challenge.
Ignite is out now @ https://www.phoenixrisingofficial.com/shop and other stores.
https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixRisingOfficial/ https://twitter.com/PRofficialband
Pete RingMaster 02/08/2018
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
Opener OML_KVLT sees the band announcing themselves in anthemic style, the vocals of Mika Lahti a busy and tenacious mix backed by those of guitarist Leevi Luoto. Checking out tracks from previous releases, there seems a lighter tone to the creative devilment of One Morning Left this time around with Metalcore Superstars but equally a more rabid snarl to their sonic and lyrical warfare amidst bolder drama to their imagination. The first track continues to stir ears and appetite with its fiery nature and pungent tapestry of flavours, subsequently creating a virulently infectious incitement that chews on the senses.
Mad Skills Brah! is next, wrapping sinister cinematic keys around a rabid storm of riffs and predatory rhythms brewed by bassist Avira Caprica and drummer xKRIOSx from the off. The vocals show similar unhinged intent and imagination throughout whilst the deceptive calm hanging around with the clean tones of Taurus and ambience spilling keys reinforces the always available unpredictability which veins every song within Zodiac Arrest, as testified by 14 Year Olds Have Sex More Than Me straight after. Arguably, a more merciful proposal with angst lined vocals an early tempting, it too flings hostile hues and erosive textures at the senses. It does not quite live up to the thrills and spills of its predecessors yet continues to linger and entice after departure even as A BBQ In Antarctica spreads its own toxic beauty and atmospheric spite amidst a sonic devouring complete with melodic tempting. Again as much as you can call ChuggaBoom metalcore, there is plenty more to their expansive sound which reaps slithers of anything from post-hardcore to alternative metal, punk to straight edge heavy metal.
The outstanding start is instantly matched and surpassed by Death of Me, a scuzzy epidemic of insatiable hooks and rhythms within a bruising sonic infection. Cavazos again leads the incendiary confrontation with an ear gripping delivery which is soaked in attitude and enterprise and backed by the equally potent tones of bassist Kyle Shimek. The latter’s string sculpting is just as imaginative and enticing too, offering a grouchy lure throughout but especially exploiting the passages of ‘relaxation’ to unveil the most predatory funk lines you will ever come across. As its predecessor, the song is high on adrenaline and ferocity, taking no prisoners lyrically and in its voracious presence.
A breaking storm and the drama of strings opens up Nightboy next, the track soon striding purposefully with feisty riffs and warm melodies, heading to a potent chorus which it maybe me but amazingly has a healthy feel of Bryan Adams to it. Never thought healthy and that name would escape these fingers together. The guitars of Thin and Kaji 2.0 recruit keen attention to the song alone but with the scything beats of drummer Daisy Lai and the ever alluring vocals of Phrixus, it is another easily accessible and pleasing proposition.
Battalion charges into ears and imagination. Hooks and grooves play with a Queens Of The Stone Age colouring whilst the weighty striding of the track is part Turbonegro and part Tiger Army, and all The BossHoss. Both keep the blood racing through veins and feet locked in an inescapable carousing, the pair straight away backed up in might and infection by the R&B/fifties flavoured rocking that is Shake & Shout. As most tracks it feels as if it is already an old friend on the first play but it does not diminish any of its enticement and unpredictable hues.