Phase – Versatile Musicality, Or Something Like That…

Phase – Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom.

Based in Newcastle, UK, Phase are a band. A band that play sound. Sound that is organised into a genre-crossing selection of music that is hard to pin down to any one particular style or genre.

I was in conversation with the band recently about it’s origins, as well as influences on their sound and the like, and it only churned up more food for thought. Names mentioned included bands and artists ranging from Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, The Cure, Portishead, Alice In Chains, Porcupine Tree, Joy Division and Nick Cave.

If I’m honest, their Progressive Rock output encompasses a considerable amount of the above, not forgetting however, a somewhat native influence to the band. What is he rambling on about now I hear you ask?

Well, originally, the band was formed in Larissa in Greece, taking shape around 2008. It’s might just be me – who knows? – but the roots of the band certainly don’t seem to have been forgotten.

To date, the band have two full-length albums. In Consequence from 2010, and 2014’s, The Wait.

In Consequence has an Industrial and Psychedelic Rock overtone that merges well with the Grunge-like structures and moods in tracks such as the above and ‘The Smile’, as well as later tracks such as ‘Hypoxia’ and ‘Static’.

Mildly Post-Rock orientated numbers such as ‘Transcendence’ and ‘Ibidem’ add another flavour, but at the same time adhere to the Progressive Rock and Psychedelic approach. Whilst, ‘Evening On My Darkside’ is a nice taste of the Hellenic, and I do like Greece.

‘The Wait’, is dark and dangerous from the beginning, and wastes no time breaking-you-in by the sacrificing of the intro track format of the last release. Or does it? Track two, ‘Reintroduction’ is essentially the intro track, it just turned up late. Well played Phase, well played.

‘Magical Thinking’, like much of the band’s recorded works, showcases their talent for something both dark, unique and expressive of their talent as musicians. The track’s rumbling bass-line and Psychedelic overtones are perfect for that trip you’re bound to have despite that fact you’re wearing slip-ons…

The riffage within ‘Point Of You’ deserves to be turned up extremely loud on your speakers, and with a decent bass setting. A nice surprise was how ‘Sowing Scorn’ added a bit of pace to the mix. Vocally, it carries a slight Industrial flare, while the short bursts of speed and rumbling bass elude a slight Punk-Rock-ism. It’s one of the better ones on the release.

‘Amethyst’ is very much another showcase track. The band’s skill at arms is unquestionable but having said that, as much as this certainly isn’t a bad track, at times there’s almost too much going on if I’m to put it bluntly. Having said that, however, from the four minute mark until the end, it’s redeems itself for the most part.

‘Remnants (Of A Former Worry)’ is another slower track, infused with a more acoustic structure, and is also easily one of the better on the release. ‘Wake Up Call’ follows on with it’s tuneful chorus and “Classic Rock” guitar-work.

‘Reprise’, ‘Homeseek Dark Blues’ and the finale, ‘Birthday Song’, trail off a little bit from the rest. Musically, there’s nothing wrong with them or the band’s individual musicianship, but there’s either too much complexity at any one time or the genre changes aren’t quite as seamless.

As a Progressive Rock band, Phase cannot be said to be doing a poor job. Regardless, if you prefer the band’s slower jams or the harder-edged numbers, you are never left in tedium, as both albums certainly take you on a journey of audio progression and wonder.

Find the band via the following direct links:

• For updates find them via their Official Website – Here.
• For all your social media needs Facebook – Here, and Twitter – Here.
• All the band’s music can be found via their bandcamp profile where it is lovingly listed in the “FREE/Name Your Price” bracket. Click Here.
• Phase can also be found on Spotify.

#StayFresh