Album review: THE CASCADES – Phoenix
Echozone [Release date 15.10.18]
Gothic rock isn’t normally a genre that pings on my musical radar, however, new album “Phoenix” from Germany’s The Cascades may well change that. Not a band I had heard of before, but they are celebrating their 30th anniversary and have created a slick record that, for me, sits right there between The Mission and The Sisters of Mercy. That may sound like high praise from a man who isn’t really into the genre in question but have a listen and tell me I’m wrong.
“Avalanche”, “Station No.5” and title track “Phoenix” are all essential listening, as is the song that sounds so much better than it’s title “Blood Is Thicker Than Blonds”. Granted there are tracks that sound a little repetitive, but in a good way, “Dark Daughters Diary” and “Phase 4” are good examples of this.
There are a couple of tracks sung in the bands native German,” Ihr Werdet Sein” and “Fur F”, the former of which sounds bigger and darker for that. “Superstar” is an almost lighter track and could well be headed for single territory and the album is closed by a fine cover of Husker Du’s “Diane”.
In “Phoenix” The Cascades have produced an album that they have described as a rebirth for the band and it certainly deserves to do just that. ****1/2
Review by Nikk Gunns
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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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