CD Review: Phinehas “Till The End”

Phinehas
“Till The End”
Artery Recordings
Tracks: 13

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

La Mirada, California’s Phinehas is back with a brand new full length record titled “Till The End”. The album features 13 tracks of searing metal-core goodness and serves as the follow up to the bands 2013 release “The Last Word Is Yours to Speak”. This is the bands first release since signing to Artery Recordings and also the first to feature Daniel Gailey on guitar.

From the second the albums opening track “Dead Choir” opens till the closing notes of “Till The End” ring out Phinehas deliver. Vocalist Sean McCulloch provides the perfect blend of guttural screamed verses and melodic infused chorus giving each of the 13 tracks that make up the album multiple levels of appeal. Guitarist Daniel Gailey fits right in with the band and showcases his talents on all the tracks but for me really stood on tracks such as “White Livered” and “Forever West”.

The rhythm section of the band consisting of Bryce Kelly on bass and Lee Humarian on drums provide and extremely well executed level of tightness that elevates the album to the next level. A perfect example of this is the track “Illiaster (More Than Skin)” which features an intricate arrangement with multiple time signatures. The band shows a different side of themselves on the track “Seven” which features a rolling acoustic riff and subtle verses which gives way haunting choruses before ending in the bands thunderous signature roar.

The latest offering from Phinehas is an album you can throw on and listen to over and over again without it becoming stale or repetitive. The band used its time wisely between releases and the work certainly shows on “Till The End” fans of the band and the metal-core genre will certainly want to grab a copy of this album.

Track Listing:
1.) Dead Choir
2.) White Livered
3.) Truth Be Told
4.) Non
5.) Forever West
6.) Tetelestai
7.) Coup de Grace
8.) Omnis
9.) Seven
10.) Iliaster (More Than Skin)
11.) Evening Grey and Morning Red
12.) Moriar
13.) Till The End

Concert Review: “IMatter Fest and The Gate Presents” Phinehas, My Heart to Fear, Alive in the Dark, Praxia, Take Two

“IMatter Fest and The Gate Presents”
Phinehas, My Heart to Fear, Alive in the Dark, Praxia, Take Two
Date: Saturday, August 24th 2013
Venue: The Gate, Horseheads, NY

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Red Chord Records artist Phinehas brought their 2013 summer tour to The Gate located in the upstate NY town of Horseheads, NY on August 24th. The group who hails from Los Angeles is currently out on tour in support of their newest EP release titled “The Bridge Between”. Though the crowd on hand was of the smaller size all the bands who performed that evening gave their all in an effort to put on a great performance.

Take Two would hit the stage first and though the group experienced a few technical difficulties not of their own doing the local 5 piece punk/rock band forged through like professionals and did what all good openers do by priming the crowd for what was to come later in the night. Praxia another local band from the area would follow with their own unique style of metal core which definitely kicked things up a notch. Advent recording artists Alive in the Dark were up next and started off their set as though they were shot out of a cannon. The band certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves especially drummer Michael Guevarez who donned a creepy yet entertaining unicorn mask for a portion of the set.

Next up were Solid State Records artist My Heart to Fear. The band hails from Williamsport, PA an area probably best known for its baseball history however over the last few years have become a breeding ground for up and coming metal-core acts. Vocalist Trevor Pool worked the crowd in between songs which helped keep the excitement going and even though the bands tour van broke down between shows none of the members let that affect their performance which garnered a great response from the crowd.

Closing out the night were tour headliners Phinehas who put on a stellar performance from start to finish.
Each of the bands four members really put everything they had into the extended set which whipped the crowd in to several good sized circle pits. Guitarist Jason Combs and bassist Bryce Kelley made great use of the stage as they bounced and spun back and forth while delivering the bands crushing material. Drummer Lee Humerian was a show in his self dazzling the crowd with a bevy of stick twirling tricks while vocalist Sean McCulloch put the icing on the cake with his shredding vocals and commandeering stage presence.

I really have to give it to the people who handle The Gate. Not only do they provide a safe and fun environment to play and listen to music but they seem to be the only ones in the area that are doing anything for music fans and performers. Without their dedication to the art of music younger bands and listeners would have little to no chance to perform or experience some of the great music that is out there. Definitely keep up the good work!