CD Review: Eternal Descent - The Phantom Of The Opera

Eternal Descent - The Phantom Of The Opera (Limited Edition)
2008, Incendium Records

Eternal Descent returns with a three track EP featuring the title track from Andrew Lloyd Webber's epic musical. The Phantom Of The Opera is treated with a heavy metal arrangement featuring heavy guitar and rapid fire keyboard/guitar solos that would make Malmsteen blush. Add in the ethereal vocals of Elysha West as Christine, and the James Earl Jones-esque voiceover of Llexi Leon as The Phantom, and you have a lively remake of this classic of musical theater. The other two tracks here may well get forgotten in the shadow of Phantom, but are worthy of attention in their own right. Legends opens with a quasi-classical piano solo that devolves into heavy metal guitar offset with classical guitar and interesting musical effects. Fallen is a dark and dreamy rocker with ethereal voice work and soaring guitar.

Eternal Descent always manages to turn out interesting material, and The Phantom Of The Opera is no different. I've heard hundreds of interpretations on the original over the years, and this is one of my favorites. The juxtaposition of light and heavy that seems to be a trademark of Eternal Descent works perfectly on this EP. Eternal Descent has turned out a real winner.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Eternal Descent at www.eternaldescent.com. You can purchase a copy of The Phantom Of The Opera at www.cdbaby.com/cd/eternaldescent2.