Courtesy: Red Cord Records
Phinehas will release its new EP, The Bridge Between next Tuesday, January 22nd. The band’s new EP is a collection of songs from two of its previous releases, thegodmachine (2011) and The Phinehas EP (2009). For fans that are new to this band, the best way to describe it is to imagine taking the best elements of As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, and Shadows Fall, and mixing them together in a giant musical mixing pot. The band’s vocalist, Sean McCullough is right up there with the likes of Brain Fair (Shadows Fall) and Tim Lambesis (As I Lay Dying). Guitarist Jason Combs’ chops could easily be compared to the work of guitarists from the aforementioned bands. And drummer and bassist Lee Humerian and Bryce Kelley respectively hold their own throughout all seven of the tracks compiled for this latest release from the La Mirada, CA based Christian metallers.
What’s most intriguing about this collection of previously released songs is that it shows that just as the band is capable within the realm of the fast, technical metalcore style sound, it is just as capable playing slower, more emotional music, too. The EP’s first three tracks are a nonstop metal assault, opening solidly with the song, ‘Panhammer.’ The band wastes little time getting its audiences moving here with guitars and drums that instantly kick things into gear. The way that drummer Lee Humerian and guitarist Jason Combs combine their talents will have audiences on their feet and pumping their fists from the song’s very first seconds. And they barely let up if at all from there. Musically, fans will be on their feet without stopping throughout the EP’s first three tracks. The second half of the EP however, will have the exact opposite impact. It shows the band’s deeper, more introspective side. There are even points at which [Sean] McCullough even sounds like Corey Taylor (Stone Sour, Slipknot) in ‘Enkindler.’ And the subtlety of Combs’ guitar underneath McCullough’s vocals adds to the song’s power. Jeff Darcy at Relic Recording brought that combination of sounds to life. He shows that he has quite the ear in managing to balance the combination even in an acoustic song. He is definitely to be commended for that.
There’s no doubt that the songs included on Phinehas’ new EP will impress audiences of both the band and of the “Christian Metal” and metalcore genres. Longtime fans will largely be getting songs from the band’s previous releases in this new release. Though the band’s acoustic takes on its previously released songs give an interesting new perspective on the songs. That being the case, it makes an especially good start for anyone who is new to the music of Phinehas. The songs noted here are just portions of what the band offers on its new EP. Audiences will get the chance to hear the entire record for themselves next Tuesday, January 22nd courtesy of Red Cord Records. Audiences will also have the chance to hear the band live as it will be performing a handful of shows beginning January 20th in Salt Lake City, Utah. To get a full listing of performance dates, audiences can check out the band online at http://www.facebook.com/Phinehasrock and http://phinehas.us. Fans can also follow the band on Twitter at http://twitter.com/phinehasband.
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