PHILOSOPHOBIA

PHILOSOPHOBIA is a progressive metal quintet formed in 2007 by Andreas and Alex who wanted to make a metal album concept but their road went farther following respectively ANNIHILATOR and Paul DIANNO. It will be necessary to wait until 2018 and the meeting with Kristoffer so that PHILOSOPHOBIA is really born. 6 of the songs come from their original works, proof that the sound is indeed timeless. They define themselves as prog heavy metal which is important to say to understand their orientation. A catchy cover and a modern sound, bewitching with the singer of WASTEFALL whose 'Soulrain' of 2021 eyed the sounds of PAIN OF SALVATION.

"Thorn in Your Pride" begins hovering, symphonic, the kind where you don't know where you're going; good prog metal à la ELDRITCH, MOONRISE, THRESHOLD, at the start on DREAM THEATER; an orgasmic rise with the guitar of Andreas and the high voice of a Peter GABRIEL on 'Birdy', good the slap what; we are halfway through for the arrival of Domenik and his angelic voice which will go to the limit of growl later, Damien WILSON comes to put his talent in redundancy on choirs; end with a solo synth and a little rest after this dynamic musical charge. "I Am" goes on a much heavier, energetic and long intro rhythm in fact; vocal softening the air, good worked prog metal, a forward solo drums, a HARRIS-style bass, a Jon LORD-style keyboard, a heavy riff, I feel ANGRA, SUPERIOR and the common energy with Damian still in defense. "Time to Breathe" for the video title with a slow acoustic crescendo at the start; the reminiscences are varied, diffuse, it goes from MAIDEN to KAMELOT, the synth gives a more modern rendering. Andreas shows that he has an effective touch; it's time to breathe a little since the finale rises, explodes like a cry that we come out having climbed a mountain. "Between The Pines" changes register for an austere ballad of great beauty reminding me of the solo works of Kristoffer, full of sensitivity; Domenik and Damian echo each other as the oily guitar solo drips its melancholic touches; it is simple and beautiful.

"As Light Ceased to Exist" continues on the same input frame then the evolution is done on a heavy and fast rhythmic with a killer riff; the synthesized voice pushes the electro sound, the harmonic, clean title, the riff and the fat sound of the DREAM THEATER, the drums add it; the instrumental break never ends, we are caught between softness and energy, between the spleen and the heavy machine gun, surprising. "Thirteen Years of Silence" unrepeatable instrumental between prog metal, nervous prog jazz convoluted for a very pleasant experience with its break in two parts, to listen to again. "Voices Unheard" and Domenik alternating between soft and growling voices accompanied by a nasty riff; musical intensity starting on kaleidoscopic mirrors, aerial break and crystalline multi-channel research at the limit of hovering rock with its bewitching piano before the final rise and the return of the catchy chorus. "Within My Open Eyes" with cello and piano, an unhealthy and depressive entry, from MY DYING BRIDE in the background; the sequel sounds on the late ANATHEMA, it's really well done; break à la PAIN OF SALVATION; those who like these groups a bit will be really satisfied. The final crescendo is airy, full of hope, conventional but radiating like the strength of a magnet.

PHILOSOPHOBIA, like its multi-drawer frame pouch, surfs on the elaborate prog metal trend; a concept for the plot, varied titles with alternating depressive and hovering moments, others where the rough sound brings us back to listening and the work of the different musicians who have well integrated what can be heard better today; it is young, modern, complex; it's catchy and it may appeal to the new wave of young people who want strong sounds to stand out from the sound of vintage dino bands. One of the favorites and already gone in my top metal prog 2022.