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Athorn: Phobia

Melodic Power/Hardcore Metal

4.0/5.0

AFM Records
www.myspace.com/athornband
www.athorn.de
By Craig Hartranft,  10.18.2010

Is Athorn another conflicted band? I'm wondering. They have tons of traditional influences: traditional, melodic, power, and progressive metal. Then they get raw and add hardcore, near death metal, vocals. The music is quite impressive. I'm wondering why Athorn is playing with the whole hardcore thing. Commercialism is the only answer. But they don't need to do it.

This band is too good. Listening to Angel of the Fall, Phobia, or After the End, I'm wondering why Athorn thinks they have to add anything hardcore to anything that they do. Phobia is fine modern metal that doesn't need to depend upon predictable modern trends. You know what I'm talking about.

Frankly, Athorn could be the future of modern metal because they blend the old with the new. Unfortunately, Athorn depends upon the new metal to convince us of the old. Forget the hardcore/death metal vocals and this could be an inspiring album.

Blending modern metal with classic power metal Athorn could be creating a whole new genre. But you need to toss out the modern hardcore vocals to truly appreciate Phobia. Otherwise you might conclude that this is commercial bullshit.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Blending modern metal with classic power metal Athorn could be creating a whole new genre. But you need to toss out the modern hardcore vocals to truly appreciate Phobia. Otherwise you might conclude that this is commercial bullshit.

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