Your heart sinks when you hear the first strains of an instrumental 'Intro'. De rigeur for the Japanese market, of course. I appreciate it's a common signature, clearly spelling out the style of music to follow, but it's overdone to death now.
Fortunately, the '
Intro' to '
Phoenix' is mercifully short (and the owner of a naggingly familiar tune).
Saidian's ingenuous, keyboard driven melodic power metal makes a welcome and refreshing change from a lot of the pretentious drivel that gets released nowadays. They incorporate neo classical and symphonic metal into their sound, but it's thankfully shorn of the bloat, the bluster and all the other baggage that weighs down too many albums in these genres.
No, it's not groundbreaking. No, the band haven't redefined heavy metal. But when it comes to melody, musicianship and enthusiasm,
Saidian tick all the boxes.
On first listen there's a tendency for the tracks to run into each other like they haven't noticed the lights have changed. But after several plays, they separate cleanly and clearly, forming 12 unique, if closely related entities. Like any family, some bear more of a resemblance than others.
As the title suggests, '
Ride On a Phoenix' (an interesting thought) is an epic, heroic opener, full of exaggerated vocal and instrumental gestures but staying anchored to an aurally adhesive tune and a sparkling arrangement.
'
State Of Euphoria' takes a heavier route with duelling keyboards and huge riffs battling it out behind Engelfried's impassioned vocal performance.
Engelfried often sounds like he's reaching the limit of his range - we listen in vain for the moment it all gives way. Just when he seems to be gasping for air and maybe going down for the last time, he makes a quantum leap into another octave completely, confounding our worst fears and/or car crash mentality. It's a melodic metal thrill ride, wrapped up in highly entertaining, edge of the seat theatre.
Saidian have clearly learned from the debut, '
To Walk The Path Forlorn'. '
Phoenix' enjoys much more variation in pace and treatment. '
See The Light' slows the album down for a welcome breather, though it's not a particularly strong song.
'
Never Surrender' rockets off in the opposite direction before slowing for an atmospheric, almost spoken verse. A vertical takeoff leads us straight back into a pounding chorus. And so it goes on.
A few songs outstay their welcome, lingering on well after the point has been made and the hook embedded. That, and a couple of fillers bulking up the album's 64 minutes are the only flaws in a real coming of age release.
On the other hand, there's plentiful evidence strewn across these 12 tracks - try the magnificent '
Jester' for proof - to further demonstrate that the band have an ear for the finer points as well as the essentials.
Written by
Brian Monday, October 9, 2006
Show all reviews by BrianRatingsBrian: 6.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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