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Track Listing
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· Etched (1)
· Insanity (2)
· Shadow
· Hopeless (3)
· Lost
· In The Morning
· Laura
· Christine
· God Save The King
(*) Best Tracks
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Discography & (Rank)
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· Phantom's Opera (2)
· So Long To Broadway (4)
· Following Dreams (3)
· Act IV (1)
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Buy it if you like:
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Phantom's Opera
The Sign
Queen
Kansas
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Phantom's Opera
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Act IV
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Escape Music ESM-083
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· Produced By: Not Listed
· Running Time: 56.41 · Genre: Pomp/Hard Rock
· Release Date: February 17 · Released: EU
· LabelLink: Escape
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Phantom's Opera are back for album number 4 with new singer Terry Brock replacing Colie Brice. Colie's unique vocals would be hard to replace, but bringing in such a name and talent as Terry Brock was a stroke of genius.
The guy could sing a phone book and make it sound worthy of purchase, so it's no surprise to hear that he handles the complex and challenging songs of PO with ease. Or at least, he makes it sound easy!
Few bands are as pompous and as operatic as these guys, with layers of organs, guitars and harmonies mixing with a heavy progressive edge.
Their mix of Queen, a heavier edge and music worthy of the stage production the band lifted their name from, is challenging and not for all tastes.
In fact, I've never counted myself as a big of their music, but the addition of Brock has created a more melodic friendly atmosphere. Combine that with the best set of songs the band have written and you get a more accessible release for all melodic music fans, that is still very much comprised of over the top pomp rock.
The opening pomp hard rocker Etched is prime example why this is going to appeal to more fans than ever. Insanity continues the good work, with some blistering guitar work and ever powerful vocals.
Progressive fans will love the 9 minute plus In The Morning, with swirling keyboards, long instrumental interludes and a truly dramatic feel.
This is probably the guys best produced album too, although it still features it's own feel and sound.
The band's bio says it all: "The best description would be Classic Rock wrapped up with excitement and dramatic content of a stage show. Well arranged bands like Styx, Kansas and Queen are quickly brought to mind, and like these two bands Phantom's Opera could meld together soft and hard rock with extraordinary ease..."
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The Bottom Line
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Fans of Terry Brock in The Sign will be pleased to hear this is another step forward into a more experimental, progressive area for the singer. His vocals are all over this record, but are just one aspect of a generally very solid performance by all.
All these positive words are entirely dependant on personal taste. This is a very musically diverse and somewhat challenging record.
It's one for fans of pomp, operatic and slightly progressive music. Not for fans of 3 minute pop songs.
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Line Up
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· Terry Brock: Vocals
· Bob Gilmartin: Guitar & Vocals
· Jack Young: Keyboards & Vocals
· Dave Garcia: Drums & Vocals
· Eric Walz: Bass & Vocals
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