Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Deströyer 666 - Phoenix Rising (2000)

Coming three years after the success of their debut album, Phoenix Rising took the black/thrash of Unchain the Wolves and rammed it back down the throats of anyone foolish enough to be stood nearby with mouth agape.  In doing so, they didn't quite hit the heights of the previous album and whilst by no means a failure there's a sense of there being one or two fangs missing from the bite this time around.

Whilst still super-aggressive and as in your face as you'd like it to be, I find a sense of the record not quite delivering on some levels.  Oddly for this style of music, I miss the catchier elements of the debut.  These seem to have been replaced with more plodding/hum-drum/run of the mill type sections that don't really drive the message home with the same intensity as expected.

Even the obviously more memorable tracks such as I am the Wargod (Ode to the Battle Slain) lack a certain degree of punch to leave a lasting enough bruise to the brain.  Despite the intensity and the energy levels it doesn't appear to get the album anywhere near what came to pass on their debut.  

On the plus side, as a standalone blackened thrash record it is a solid enough a record in its own right.  Charging and rampant enough for any fan of the genre to enjoy, with grim and raspy vocals and a motoring rhythm section to boot.