| Musical Style: Hybrid Metal | Produced By: Tiago James |
| Record Label: Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA & Brazil |
| Year Released: 2021 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 52:59 |
Biogenesis made its bones by being different. As in ‘hybrid metal’ different, attributing the Dayton, Ohio based groups affinity for the aligning of straightforward heavy metal, thrash, groove and Gothic overtones to its Rowe Productions 2001 debut full length The Mark Bleeds Through. Starting with Soundmass sophomore effort The Rise, The Fall, The Rebirth from 2012, Biogenesis began imbuing its ‘hybrid metal’ sound with added progressive elements, which culminated with the full on progressiveness to its Roxx Records third offering A Decadence Divine released in 2017. For its September of 2021 fourth album Rise Of The Phoenix on Retroactive Records, Biogenesis maintains the progressive themes while upping heaviness to record by far its most aggressive work to date, pinpointing the greater emphasis on thrash and extreme distinctions.
Biogenesis remains the project of founding member and front man Chaz Bond, whom helps contribute to the group’s diverse sound with a multi-dimensional vocal style transitioning between clean but lower register singing akin to Eric Clayton (Saviour Machine) and thrash-like aspects bordering on the extreme. Group has traditionally experienced turnover between albums and period between A Decadence Divine and Rise Of The Phoenix proves no exception as found in departed guitarists James Riggs and Luke Nealeigh, bassist Dan Nealeigh and drummer Majennica Nealeigh and replacements bassist Randy Walton, guitarist Tiago James and drummer Tiago Vitek. Latter two hails from Brazil, while former was part of the group at time of its first two albums.
It would not be out of line to suggest that James, with a background including thrash act Hand Of Fire and metal/thrash outfit Perpetual Paranoia, helps push Biogenesis in said heavier direction. It creates somewhat of a ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ type scenario (figuratively speaking) when it comes to the group’s songwriting. On one hand, much of the Rise Of The Phoenix material emphasizes browbeating verse sections to see the Biogenesis thrash to extreme sides come into play; from standpoint of former, poised and more sedate refrains make plain notable melodies and hooks to draw in with repeat play. I cannot help but feel Chaz plays a role in this regard from how he helps impart each band in which he participates, whether Biogenesis or previous act Jacobs Dream, a strong melody foundation.
A lyrical concept based upon true events surrounding the cult known as ‘The Peoples Temple’ helps provide for the extremes of anger and emotion attributing to Rise Of The Phoenix, at least to this reviewer. Specifically, albums story is told from two different points of view: the real life cult leader Jim Jones, whom is referred to as Father Jones as his followers called him, and a fictional character named Grayson Vance, whom is largely based on a real survivor from the tragic evens of November 18, 1978.
Introductory piece “The Dwelling” sets the stage for the storyline as moody piano, vocal harmonizing and narration carry its brief (1:08) distance. “The Covenant” kicks in at once in capturing both sides of the Biogenesis musical fence, including verse sections built in to blade like guitars and double kick drum to reek of the tumultuous (whispered vocals reflect the haunting) and unparalleled refrain near the end of an emotionally grasping form (almost symphonic in feel).
“By Design” opens its first minute and half to an off kilter joining of narration and feedback in yielding a darker ambience to touch upon the Gothic. Full on aggression moving ahead, reveling in the harshly done as frantic screams and avalanche riffs align with slower to faster time signatures. Offsetting the chaos is another chilling refrain to see Chaz reach down low to contrast vocally with his emphatic harsher style.
As albums longest at seven minutes, “Within These Walls” hearkens back to the progressiveness of A Decadence Divine, albeit on the more intrusive side. The disruptive instrumental first minute sets the tone to follow, revealed in a thrash to extreme slugfest almost to fault in that a slight repetition arises, at least to these ears. Yet, at point when things are bleakest, another surprisingly pleasing refrain dexterously rises to the surface to echo the soothing.
“Breath Forgotten” is this reviewer’s choice track with its defining melody. As typical of much of albums material, verse section attack with buzz saw like fury to severe vocals, but at moments notice, the disordered scene gives way to a stunningly melodic refrain carried over pristine guitar harmonies. This one succeeds in allowing Tiago to skillfully exhibit both sides - pulsating and more reserved - to his guitar playing.
“Heavenly Darkness” highlights its share of old school ‘chugga-chugga’ thrash type riffs, interweaving them with distorted vocals and punch heavy low end moments others of a bottomless, choir-like capacity. Near the end, impetus picks up for staunch power metal influenced riffs alongside some of albums catchiest melodic harmonies. Haunting are the final seconds to feature female vocals over gunshots in the backend.
I find the thrash to extreme aspects playing up to fault on “The Suicide Lie”. I take to the open-air guitar feedback to open with a Middle Eastern bent, which abruptly gives way to heavy-handed screams and cannon like detonations that point to the frenetic if not all out aggravated. Yes, no doubt heavy as all get out, with the musical fury aligning with the seriousness of the subject at hand; yet a slight repetition elevates all the same. Some of the melody to albums more notable material is missing.
“A Thousand Tears” separates as one of albums calmest and most serene with an almost semi-ballad form. Sinister, haunting but also blithely done, it drifts to bottomless vocals (sort of like Veni Domine) with piercing guitars perforating in and out of the mix to breath of the epic. In the end, I am reminded of “All My Fears”, a great song from Jacobs Dream (off its Chaz Bond fronted fourth album Beneath The Shadows).
Albums title track echoes of the doom-like as caustic elements elevate to extreme vocals and all the intense misgivings you could ask. Consider the hulking refrain to repeat songs title in barreling fashion and James’s deliberate riff proclivity. It would be an understatement to suggest “Rise Of The Phoenix” could not contrast more with its predecessor.
Closer “Ashes To Glory” is a melodic piece along similar lines as “A Thousand Tears”. It comes across joyous and celebratory - noting the guitar harmonies of a borderline modern form - but brooding at the same time as rhythm guitar reeks of the trenchant. Back and forth and back and forth, the song progresses between kindly done softer moments and others subtle as a sledgehammer, while vocals range from clean to fittingly caustic. What we have is a consummate example of hybrid metal at its finest.
If Biogenesis’ goal was to head in a heavier direction Rise Of The Phoenix, I cannot help but feel it succeeded laudably in that regard, particularly in light of albums subject matter. Yet, it is not all assailing in that you will also experience surprisingly (and quite contrarily) catchy riffs, harmonies and melodies. Hence, how I identify with ‘hybrid metal’ as not only consolidating diverse musical aspects but also equally parts heaviness and melody. Yes, I found some of the Rise Of The Phoenix thrash to extreme nuances off-putting, but it took repeat listen (it took seven to eight spins) before the songs began to pull me in, despite some lingering repetition. Overall, I might not value Rise Of The Phoenix much as A Decadence Divine, in my opinion a top five Christian progressive metal album, but if into metal in its heaviest form or a Biogenesis devotee, it comes strongly recommended (those into metal on the thrash/extreme sides add an additional 5 to 10 percentage points to the final score).
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “The Dwelling” (1:08), “The Covenant” (5;40), “By Design” (5:22), “Within These Walls” (6:54), “Breath Forgotten” (5:47), “Heavenly Darkness” (6:00), “The Suicide Lie” (5:49), “A Thousand Tears” (5:29), “Rise Of The Phoenix” (4:50), “Ashes To Glory” (6:00)
Musicians
Chaz Bond - Lead Vocals
Tiago James - Guitars
Randy Walton - Bass
Tiago Vitek - Drums
