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Kenziner: Phoenix

Melodic/Heavy/Power Metal

4.0/5.0

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Pure Steel Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 24.06.2020 | Released: 26.06.2020

Formed better than 25 years by Finnish guitarist Jarno Keskinen, Kenziner has had a sporadic output when it comes to studio albums. The last we heard from the quintet was some six years ago with The Last Horizon, a better than average album of European power metal. Now, Kenziner arrives with their fourth album, Phoenix, featuring new vocalist Peter "Zinny" Zalesky and keyboard player Ariel Perchuk.

Kenziner

With this new album Keskinen and Kenziner vary little from their power metal formula. Most songs are built upon the elements of strong riffage, gallop and groove from the rhythm section, and a synth layer for accents and embellishment. After this, all things lead to Keskinen ripping off a guitar solo (or several) in his trademark neo-classical style. Although, if you listen carefully Perchuk gets a chance to add a key solo of his own, notable within Eye Of Horus and The Mirror. Above all this, vocalist Peter Zalesky has an assertive vocal style, sometimes sounding raw or even screamo. More rushing power metal come with songs like Tears Of Destiny, Shadow Of The Moon, or Listen To The Devil (but I suggest you don't). Alternatively, songs such as Osiris Rising and notably To Hell And Back, move upon a more modest pace of heavy steady metal. The album finishes with a symphonic ballad, The Miracle, which features Keskinen dropping a classical acoustic guitar solo, followed by an electric solo, then Perchuk adds some light piano. Fine work indeed. With some six years in the making, guitarist Jarno Keskinen and Kenziner deliver another appealing and entertaining album of neo-classsical guitar driven melodic power metal.

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With some six years in the making, guitarist Jarno Keskinen and Kenziner deliver another appealing and entertaining album of neo-classsical guitar driven melodic power metal.

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