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Epic: Like A Phoenix

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR

5.0/5.0

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Escape Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 06.04.2016

Little is known about Epic, an AOR melodic hard rock band. For instance, we don't know when the band started, their country of origin, or the players background or history in music. We do know is that Epic, a quartet, includes an international cast having roots in Canada, America, and Lebanon. We also know that, or I think we know, that Like A Phoenix is their first album, first self-released at the end of 2015 and now picked up for worldwide distribution by England's Escape Music.

Epic

Basically, if you've got the bravado and balls to call your band Epic, you damn well better not suck. You better be up to the task at hand. Epic doesn't suck. Au contraire, mon ami. Epic delivers the AOR melodic rock goods with style, enthusiasm, and skill.

However, my first observation is this. When listening I thought the vocalist was male, a somewhat, even possibly, rather effeminate male singer. Imagine my surprise when I got to Save A Little Love, a nice catchy AOR romance tune, to discover the singer is female vocalist Tanya Rizkala. Huh. She kind of reminds me of a hybrid of Robin Beck and Ann Wilson, but without the latter's shrieking capability.

As for the album and songs, Like A Phoenix might surprise you, even throw you off at the start. All I Need and Love Will Find A Way are two of the hardest rocking songs on the album, the former having a strong metal edge. Then things shift gears, not dramatically like dropping from fourth to first gear, but to something different. From I Can Take You through I Need You, you get pure AOR melodic rock, often beginning with and/or continuing with acoustic guitar or lighter electric guitar. These songs have effect of displaying Ms Rizkala's substantial vocal skill, but also Epic's simple and essential ability to craft catchy melodic rock songs. At the end, with Nah Nah Nah and more so the title cut, Like A Phoenix, you're back to some more metal infused melodic hard rock. Along the way, guitarist, and I'm guessing principal composer, Mario Agostine delivers some slick riffage and soaring solos.

Hey. It's all good. With Like A Phoenix, Epic offers a solid and entertaining album of classic AOR melodic hard rock and they seem to do it with nearly effortless ease. Easily recommended.

Epic - Like A Phoenix

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With Like A Phoenix, Epic offers a solid and entertaining album of classic AOR melodic hard rock and they seem to do it with nearly effortless ease. Easily recommended.

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Six years after the success of their self-titled debut album, Multi-national trio Six By Six returns with their second album, Beyond Shadowland. The band, once again, feature guitarist Ian Crichton (Saga), drummer ... [ Read More ]