On the Wings of Phoenix, by Symbyosis

*****

Technical, hook laden riffs.
Check.
Articulate, note perfect solos (No really, they are perfection!)
Check.
Beguiling, complementive bass lines.
Check.
Stylish, jazzy, impressive drum work.
Check.
Excellent definable death growls and understated, memorable keyboard and choral flourishes.
Double check.
Symbyosis are definitely ticking all the right boxes here and straight from the get go, the progressive touches of On the Wings of Phoenix set out to challenge you while remaining extremely listenable, producing a sonic medley of melodic death metal ingenuity that commands your full attention. If I was to mention nothing else, I simply must make note of Nikos Kevorkian and Franck Kobolt, a rather formidable guitar duo. While you can hear various influences in their fret work, they sound fresh, very much with a sound all their own, which is something to be commended in a market full of factory made melodic death. In fact every member of this band puts in a stunning, virtuoso performance. Whats more, this is a double album, with the second disc, titled Phoenix Ashes, containing some very entertaining covers, B Sides, remixes and most importantly the continuation of the “Crusades” saga, a masterpiece suite of songs started on their fist EP, The Fluid. This is nothing more or less than truly distinguished, absorbing metal of the highest order that while deceptively simple, remains hard for me to describe, leaving me with no more words to say except if you don’t check this out, you’re depriving yourself of something extraordinarily special.