The Phantom Blaze reviews

circus_brimstone · June 28th, 2005, 08:36 AM

Metal Review:

http://www.metalreview.com/viewreview.aspx?ID=1838

If there’s a more masculine, more testosterone-fueled name than Warblade, then I want to hear it. Simply because: I can imagine hardass metalheads listening to this band just so – when asked what they’re listening to – they can reply with the hoisting of horns and offer, “Warblade!” I’m sure it’s happened before but, anyway, The Phantom Blaze is the group’s second, full-length offering on the label known as Oak Knoll Productions, which only has a bucketful of bands within its grasp. However, I always prefer quality to quantity, and the aforementioned record does boast a decent amount of the former.

Upon my introduction to this sextet, I found it difficult to believe that the guys hail from New York. This brand of melodic death metal – paved with black metal I don’t hesitate to add – sounds overly European, or maybe it’s just that Europeans are the supreme handlers of said subgenre. Either way, Warblade are obviously talented in the musicianship department as evidenced by their playing on myriad, bombastic numbers. I’ve seen comparisons to Dark Tranquillity, Vesperian Sorrow, among others, and I must generically concur with my comrades’ assertions.

The production isn’t the greatest, though the vocalizations are black-infested, raspy growls, which match the instrumentation quite well. Thing is, The Phantom Blaze is a long one, and the total time reaches upwards of seventy minutes to prove it. If anything, despite being able to cite the music as good, the lengthy, eleven tracks tip the scale in an unfavorable direction. It’d be one thing if the songs were captivating enough to warrant such a massive record, but they aren’t – and so, I found myself becoming impatient as I neared the end of the sextet’s opus.

Fans of melody will find much to extol with Warblade, though. As I said, the musical performances are way above satisfactory, the compositions are structured admirably, and the overall presentation is tightly woven. These guys don’t comprise the most astounding group on the planet, but The Phantom Blaze will do you more good than harm. Believe you me.

Oak Knoll · January 5th, 2006, 08:49 AM

The new Warblade site is slated for Feb 2006. The old site still works but some things are running - I should be able to fix this by Feb.

Oak Knoll · January 18th, 2006, 09:52 AM

I just heard WB is writing songs for a new cd. Cool beans!

Oak Knoll · February 27th, 2006, 01:17 PM

Ok, so I'm behind on their new website..but they haven't even checked out this beautiful forum for themselves! argh! I can lead a band to beer but...

SomethingBrutal · March 28th, 2006, 07:07 PM

When you update it you can probably put me on it too, I'm Jamie, the new drummer. So far we have two new songs that I wrote with the band, as well as learning old songs.

June 28th, 2005, 08:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
circus_brimstone Jason Jordan Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,074	The Phantom Blaze reviews Metal Review: http://www.metalreview.com/viewreview.aspx?ID=1838 If there’s a more masculine, more testosterone-fueled name than Warblade, then I want to hear it. Simply because: I can imagine hardass metalheads listening to this band just so – when asked what they’re listening to – they can reply with the hoisting of horns and offer, “Warblade!” I’m sure it’s happened before but, anyway, The Phantom Blaze is the group’s second, full-length offering on the label known as Oak Knoll Productions, which only has a bucketful of bands within its grasp. However, I always prefer quality to quantity, and the aforementioned record does boast a decent amount of the former. Upon my introduction to this sextet, I found it difficult to believe that the guys hail from New York. This brand of melodic death metal – paved with black metal I don’t hesitate to add – sounds overly European, or maybe it’s just that Europeans are the supreme handlers of said subgenre. Either way, Warblade are obviously talented in the musicianship department as evidenced by their playing on myriad, bombastic numbers. I’ve seen comparisons to Dark Tranquillity, Vesperian Sorrow, among others, and I must generically concur with my comrades’ assertions. The production isn’t the greatest, though the vocalizations are black-infested, raspy growls, which match the instrumentation quite well. Thing is, The Phantom Blaze is a long one, and the total time reaches upwards of seventy minutes to prove it. If anything, despite being able to cite the music as good, the lengthy, eleven tracks tip the scale in an unfavorable direction. It’d be one thing if the songs were captivating enough to warrant such a massive record, but they aren’t – and so, I found myself becoming impatient as I neared the end of the sextet’s opus. Fans of melody will find much to extol with Warblade, though. As I said, the musical performances are way above satisfactory, the compositions are structured admirably, and the overall presentation is tightly woven. These guys don’t comprise the most astounding group on the planet, but The Phantom Blaze will do you more good than harm. Believe you me. __________________ Staff member of: B F G M M2 W

January 5th, 2006, 08:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oak Knoll Oak Knoll Productions Join Date: May 2002 Location: Attleboro, MA USA Posts: 636	The new Warblade site is slated for Feb 2006. The old site still works but some things are running - I should be able to fix this by Feb. __________________ Jeremy/Owner www.oak-knoll.com www.oakknollstore.com http://forums.oak-knoll.com

January 18th, 2006, 09:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Oak Knoll Oak Knoll Productions Join Date: May 2002 Location: Attleboro, MA USA Posts: 636	rumor? new album? I just heard WB is writing songs for a new cd. Cool beans! __________________ Jeremy/Owner www.oak-knoll.com www.oakknollstore.com http://forums.oak-knoll.com

February 27th, 2006, 01:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Oak Knoll Oak Knoll Productions Join Date: May 2002 Location: Attleboro, MA USA Posts: 636	Ok, so I'm behind on their new website..but they haven't even checked out this beautiful forum for themselves! argh! I can lead a band to beer but... __________________ Jeremy/Owner www.oak-knoll.com www.oakknollstore.com http://forums.oak-knoll.com

March 28th, 2006, 07:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
SomethingBrutal Warblade Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: East Rochester NY Posts: 8	When you update it you can probably put me on it too, I'm Jamie, the new drummer. So far we have two new songs that I wrote with the band, as well as learning old songs.