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PHARAOH |
| by:
Jonathan Mariante
Pharaoh arise from the power
metal tomb, and besiege the world with their traditional/power metal sound,
very influenced by bands like Helloween, Iron Maiden, and Gamma Ray. Vocalist
Tim Aymer (formerly with Control Denied) sounds a bit like Michael Kiske
or Andi Deris, and guitarist Matt Johnsen sounds influenced by Kai Hansen,
cranking out some speedy riffs and solos in the Helloween/Gamma Ray vein.
All the songs are galloping, anthemic, melodic numbers, the kind of thing
you'd expect from a power metal band. They are an American band but sound
European. While they're not doing anything that hasn't been done before,
they certainly are capable and decent musicians. They're not the most
original band in the world, and their songs do tend to sound the same,
but they are good at what they do nonetheless, and have made a solid and
enjoyable power metal album here. (and I, personally, can never fault
a power metal band! It's a weakness I have!) They just need to expand
their sound a little bit, and venture out of their familiar waters a little
bit, so they can be more than "just another power metal band who sounds
like Helloween", because they are capable of doing something more. This
is their debut album, however, so perhaps as the band's career progresses,
so will their sound. They've laid a pretty decent foundation here; now
they just need to build on it. http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com
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