What an ambitious project! After the great EP "The Fluid" and the brilliant "Crisis" album that was released in 2000 on Listenable Records, the band choose to release the next album by themselves, to get it financed, they asked their fans to sign up for a copy of the album, and pay in advance for it, and the money they'd get on that account would go to the recording, mixing, pressing etc... It took them 3 years to achieve this project musically. Now, a year and half after I sent in my subscription, I finally have one of the best releases this year, playing in my CD-player.

The French act Symbyosis is a damn crazy one! They have so many influences in their music. What they play is a kind of progressive, powerful and technical blend of death and thrash metal with numerous symphonic moments. Aggressive vocals, great choirs, impressive guitar riffs and outstanding solos, huge technical and ultra powerful drumming, flawless bass lines and some discreet keyboard lines that spread venomous atmospheres to the very inspired and personal compositions. Two hours of excellent music shot wild between good and evil and also divine moments. Almost impossible to classify, a must have for every metal freak.

The production is excellent, all tracks sounds awesome. A special note goes for the great booklet of 40 pages, inserted to this double album, which contains really nice pictures developed in 3D and created by guitar/keyboard player Frank Kobolt around his conceptual vision of the album's futuristic story. In a few words main character Neal, a young man is asked by "Hell" to bring back some order on Earth. Neal will have some difficulties to follow his task, because of the love of a woman...

The new album "On The Wings Of Phoenix" is on the first CD and contains 11 new impressive, sumptuous tracks. One, even two listenings aren't enough to absorb all subtilities and notes delivered here.

"On The Wings Of Phoenix" starts with the crushing 'The Arrival'. Corrosive Bob on vocals delivers aggressive and controlled singing on it. The drumming of Tariq Zulficar is already mindblowing and an impressive solo haunts this first track. 'Truth' follows with a dreamy intro, then it gets furious both on drums and guitars until a nice break calms it all down, to start it again with ferocity.

'The Venom' opens with noises soon joined by a great guitar riff and fast drumming, the break is interesting and the male choir at the end of the song gives a special feeling to this intensive song. 'Dilemma' reminds me of their previous album "Crisis". On 'Seizure Of Power' the guitars of Nikos Kevorkian and Frank Kobolt are in a staccato intensive style, various vocals appears and nice female choirs add a plus to this nice piece of music.

'War Phenomenon' is groovy, the bass of Antoine Rognon rocks and rolls along the great blastbeats and demonstrative solos. The short keyboard notes at the end of the song are beautiful and subtle. A killer track.

'Cupidity' is another fast track with intense guitar playing, there is a really cool break where the drum- and guitar-play are chasing each other.

Another highlight on this album is 'Famine' an ambitious song with a very original soundscape. The clear sound of the keyboard, the choir in the background, the technical drumming, the dynamic vocals, the heavy bass line and the killer solo, all the different rythms are in total harmony, fantastic.

'Disease' is also a nice track with a technical solo blended with a "Meshuggah-esque" part and fast drumming.

On 'Death Apogee' there's a Morbid Angel feel over the sounds of the guitars, but it still contains this unique Symbyosis style. The chorus is really catchy and some dreamy keyboard notes fill this track with geniousity. The drumming also varies from fast parts to more soft ones with great attack. Of course there is a fantastic solo here as well.

The last track is different from all the recorded songs the band has done so far. 'Peace' starts with electronic sounds and an ambient mood. The beautiful female voice of Noriq Recher opens the song, lets say, in an Antimatter style. A vocoder is also used on Corrosive Bob's voice. It then goes much faster and the aggressive voice of Corrosive Bob enters, while the drummer hits hard and a heavy riff is executed. Many breaks, a flying solo, aerial keyboards and even a grand piano are all melted together until the female voice appears again to close this song with the main vocalist.

Well it's not over yet. CD 2 is so to say a gift to the fans. Named "Phoenix Ashes" it contains 13 gems. It starts with 'Crusades' part IV, V and VI which continues the trilogy that was started on "The Fluid" EP. A fantastic journey into complex parts and wide musical arrangements. Special mention to the last part which cuts surprisingly with the more brutal part IV and V. Part VI was inspired by the Symphony Nr 9 of Ludwig van Beethoven.

Two new and unreleased track follow. First 'Life' a very nice track full of energy with both Corrosive Bob and Frank Kobolt on vocals. 'Dreamchild' follows with Noriq Recher on vocals for a dreamy and original track, almost mid-tempo with a cool bass part and a nice guitar solo/outro.

They also offer nice covers. Iron Maiden's 'The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner' is absolutely to hear. A unique and personal version of this great track is presented here. 'Read Between The lies' by Slayer follows and is good as well. Then comes a track of Nuclear Assault, 'Trail Of Tears' from the "Handle With Care" album. Next cover is the impressive 'Twisted Truth' by the dutch masters Pestilence with the unique touch and sound of Symbyosis, killer solo and damn well executed.

'When Napalm Fits To Skin' is a tribute dedicated to... I think you have found out, the great Napalm Death. The second CD ends with two tracks from the "Crisis" album re-recorded here with a different vibe than the originals. Interesting to hear 'Quest Of The Dolphin' and 'Little Princess' in their new versions. The last track is 'Princess Ending'.

This album should be out now for the non-subscribers, so if you still don't own this album you, hurry up and discover this unique and talented band. Certainly one of the most ambitious release this year. Hail to Symbyosis!