ATHORN — Phobia (review)

ATHORN — Phobia album cover Album · 2010 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Time Signature
Metalize the demon...

Genre: power-thrash

A slab of dark and heavy power-thrash, Athorn's debut album "Phobia" definitely challenges the general definition of power metal. Being musically more akin to Charred Walls of the Damned than, say, Sonata Arctica or ReinXeed or something like that, this album offers thrashy riffage and heavy grooves - and, well, I am inclined to arguing that, if genre-wankery is significant, then this is more on the thrash side than the power metal side.

What is more, the power metal aspect of the album has more US power metal leanings, so that in itself is already on the heavier side.

There is melody, and some of the defining power metal elements are there - for instance, Carsten Frank's clean vocals are akin to Tim Owen's singing when he sings in a midrange register, and this definitely suits the melodic choruses very well. But, be forewarned (Pentagram fans will get this), Carsten Frank also makes extensive use of harsh vocal styles from extreme metal. The lead guitars are also quite melodic (while the solos are often technically advanced), and stand in an interesting contrast to the heavy rhythm guitars.

So you can expect this album to draw on both US power metal and extreme metal. This might not appeal to all, but I totally dig it. Recommended to fans of Charred Walls of the Dead, Iced Earth and perhaps even Control Denied.
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