'Phantom Elite' is a band which releases its second studio recording 'Titanium' and which was premiered in 2016 by Dutch guitarist, bassist and singer 'Sander Gommans' (also producer and who was a partner of 'Floor Jansen' until 2009 with 'After Forever' and who also participated with his companion 'Amanda Somerville' to the project with 'Michael Kiske' 'Kiske Sommerville') and by the Brazilian 'Marina La Torraca' who is part of the adventure 'Exit Eden' with, 'Clémentine Delaunay' from 'Visions Of Atlantis', 'Anna Brunner' and… a certain 'Amanda Somerville'. It is therefore quite natural that the latter was invited on this new album which succeeds to 'Wasteland' released in 2018 and which offers 11 compositions deploying a skilful mix between classical symphonic metal and a metal bringing a good dose of modernity that the 'we could compare to the project 'Trillium' of the couple (in town and on stage) 'Sander Gommans' / 'Amanda Somerville' (the symphonic metal world is small !).
And, from the first track 'Conjure Rains', the originality is there with an impressive firepower and many changes of tempos, the melodic lines flirting in some places with oriental influences, then, 'The Race', just as powerful, offers us a chorus that is easily embedded in the head and 'Diamonds and Dark' continues on this all-track path by approaching a more classical symphonic metal with breaks of intensity all quite remarkable which made it one of the hits on the albumThe suite continues in this communicative energy with a huge 'Worst Part of Me', the 'Stef Rikken' growls responding to the clear voice of 'Marina La Toraca', then 'Glass Crown' returns to a more classical symphonic atmosphere with verses less powerful which contrast with a heady chorus and the title song of the album raises a notch the intensity by adding a progressive component which makes it possible to make the most successful composition with various overlapping parts presenting great sound differences. The rest of the album features an energetic 'Bravado' which may recall 'Lacuna Coil', the melodic 'Silver Lining' in which 'Marina La Torraca' shares the microphone with 'Amanda Somerville', both forming a remarkable vocal duo, the little very calm instrumental interlude 'Haven', 'Deliverance' which reminds me this time the ex-group 'Stream of Passion' with a huge bass line, the album closing with a last Marina/Amanda duo in a hit 'Eyes Wide Open' dotted here and there with electronic sounds.
In summary, this second album of 'Phantom Elite' shows how far it has come since the beginning of the group because 'Titanium' is very successful and comes directly to compete with the best symphonic metal formations of the moment without plagiarizing them because they bring a real originality which will undoubtedly allow them to come out of the mass of projects of this style... | |
