Since their debut in 1998 under the name Phoenix, this Astoria, New York-based power metal band has been scorching the New York metal scene with their infectious and memorable mix of power metal, old school heavy metal, and Eastern European musical flavorings. The band was formed and founded by guitarist Billy Chrissochos and bassist Chris Pollatos, who had been friends and musical collaborators dating back to their school days. Seeking another axeman, the band hired an accomplished guitarist and master of a Greek instrument known as the bouzouki, Kostas “Gus” Psarros. Kostas had the honor of playing alongside the world-renowned Greek singer George Dalaras at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in 2003. Original vocalist Eugene Siouzios soon joined the band, and then they added the thunderous presence of drummer Wayne Noon to the fold. Phoenix started to carve out their niche in the NYC metal scene, playing at clubs like the legendary (and now closed) Castle Heights and opening for legends like ex-Dokken and Lynch Mob guitarist George Lynch. A major setback happened in early 2002 when vocalist Siouzios decided to leave. The band embarked on a tough quest to find a new voice, but didn’t have to look very far. The band decided to roll the dice and hired young female fan and friend Theresa Gaffney to fill the vacancy. What was thought to be a risky move ended up paying huge dividends for Phoenix, as the tough yet sultry siren added a whole new dimension to their sound. Re-energized and refreshed, the band renamed themselves Phoenix Reign and embarked on an onslaught that took them to famous New York clubs like CBGB’s, Tipperary Arms and The Continental. In the meantime, they recorded three raw yet promising demos, but longed for the opportunity to unleash a full-length album. They would have their chance! Entrenching themselves in the renowned Spin Studios (where Savatage guitarist Chris Caffery and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra have recorded) in their native Astoria, and hiring Themi Kyriazis to assist the band in twiddling the knobs, they spent the better part of a year and lots of blood, sweat, tears and toil making their debut full-length album. Finally released in March 2007, the album was titled Destination Unknown.

Just by looking at Destination Unknown’s artwork and layout, you can tell this is a project on which no penny was spared. From the marvelous photographs of the band to the stunning artwork by renowned Greek artist Iannis Nikou, the artwork alone is a feast for the eyes. But, albums do not win awards or praise on artwork alone, so does the music deliver? Join me, intrepid musical explorers, and let Phoenix Reign take us on a magical metal mystery tour!

The swirling melodrama of “The Gates Of Bosphorus” is just a little taste of what’s to come…so let it whet your appetite for the attack which it precedes!

Punctuated by sledgehammer drumming, squealing harmonics and a memorable riff that hits you like a rusty meat hook through the skull, “Transcendent” is a fitting proper kickoff for the metal parade. Gaffney is large and in charge with her vocal performance on this track as she sounds a defiant and persistent call, resolving not to be held down by all of life’s problems. The guitar work is crisp, melodic and crunchy and helps make this track a winner.

An echo-soaked riff leads into some maniacal skin bashing by Noon before the pace settles down into a sweet mid-tempo romp on “Masquerade Angel”. The vocals are emotional, strong, and even show the slightest bit of fear on this ode to dealing with the trials of temptation - “The crowd is calling to me...Come and join us!”. Awesome harmony work on this one, and the main riff is absolutely killer! Another top drawer performance.

A soft and gentle acoustic intro paints a pretty picture of the ballad you expect to be forthcoming on "Forgotten", but thankfully a raw and dirty riff explodes and tears the pretty picture to shreds. What you thought was a ballad is transformed into a killer mid-paced tune with a sing-along chorus and hooks aplenty. Gaffney's vocals are sultry, emotional, and smooth as silk, Noon's drumming is tight and thunderous, and Chrissochos lets his fingers unleash a nasty, rusty and raw old school solo! Good times and great metal!

Work, you stupid radio! How dare you disobey me? Thank you! "Another Night Alone" has been a staple of Phoenix Reign concerts for the past few years (you can even download a ringtone of it) and has become known as one of the band's signature songs. After one listen it's easy to see why! This track is powered along by one of the best and most addictive guitar riffs I have ever heard! Add to the mix vocals filled with power and longing, kick it in the ass with some punchy skin pounding and top it off with one cherry of a dual harmony. This song is so addictive it may require its own 12-step recovery program!

Longtime fans of Phoenix Reign may recognize this song under its former title "Power", but the band decided to give it a slight makeover and a kick in the ass. The track is now known as "Open Your Eyes", and it showcases this band's incredible ability to shift from pop-metal slickness to power metal madness on a dime. The ticking clock in the intro sets the tone for the main riff, leading into a punchy little pop-hard rock stomp. Gaffney's vocal line is equally pop-tinged and fits the song perfectly. Remember the ticking clock at the beginning? It's a countdown to the power metal detonation at the mid-point! And what a detonation! The guitars of Psarros and Chrissochos deliver the fire while Pollatos and Noon add the shockwave before the chaos subsides and the song reclaims its pop-metal trappings. What a ride! Fans of pop and power metal will love this one equally!

"Run Now" is yet another track which will send you for a ride on the Reign's heavy metal roller coaster. The dual harmony assumes command at the intro, but then it transitions to a plodding dinosaur stomp suitable for your moshing pleasure. The dual attack resumes the fun during the memorable and sing-along chorus, which is an ode to breaking free from everyday struggles. The vocal line is stellar, as it is dark and eerily beautiful. Listening in the dark may give you goose bumps! Another mind-blowing middle-of-the-track fireworks display is provided for your pleasure, which features even more impressive soloing and Noon’s howitzer snare drumming.

I’m thinking of a word…elegant. Elegant is the best way I can describe the gentle guitar serenade and the soft caress of Gaffney’s most heartfelt vocals yet which leads off the enchanting ballad “Wherever You Are”. The exquisite beginning gives one the sonic picture of a young girl looking out her window on a rainy evening, while the memories of a long lost love, to paraphrase a line in the song, dance through her mind. Soon the gentle rain of the guitars and vocals become a raging torrent as the chorus approaches. The riffs get hard and heavy, and the soft vocal trip down memory lane becomes an emotional plea overflowing with regret and heartache. Yet another song which shows how smoothly the band can shift gears between the smooth and the savage. I must freely admit it was not one of my favorites before, but subsequent listens have seen this track grow in favor. Trust me, you WILL enjoy it!

Break out the biker leathers and the Harley Davidson, and get ready to ride down the road to “Destination Unknown”! This track is an anthemic rallying cry for following your dreams and goals no matter where they lead you. Gaffney’s vocals are full of attitude and confidence on this track, while Noon and Pollatos make the ground rumble more than a pack of Hells’ Angels on Route 66. The riffing on this track is total aggression, and while Psarros toasts the road with his awesome leads, Chrissochos prefers to rip up the pavement with one tires-screeching, gravel-spitting beast of a solo! Listen to this track while driving to double your pleasure on the open road! The throat ripping scream of Gaffney finally brings the checkered flag down on this soon to be classic - ”Follow me until we reach THE END!”

“It’s over now…” - I beg to differ! The song is actually just beginning! “Moving On”, formerly known as “Nightmare”, is another mid-paced rocker which shows Phoenix Reign flexing their old school rock and metal muscle in the anthem department. Fueled by an upbeat and memorable riff, this song is a testament to perseverance and never giving up hope. Nothin’ fancy here, just a great rockin’ little metal track that you can tap your foot to, headbang in delight to, or to help give yourself a pick me up when times look bleak. Like the lyrics say - “as long as you’re alive, there’s always hope!”

The rain pelts the dusty ground in the ancient city…the wind howls between the buildings…Psarros adds to the drama by letting his fingers dance across the tzoura (a smaller cousin of the bouzouki)…the bells toll in the distance while the acoustic guitars and symphonic keyboards continue to add depth to the bleak and foreboding landscape. A mournful Gaffney lets a melancholy siren's call roll forth to sound a lonesome cry of the impending doom which is to come. The harmony guitars break their silence, the drums roll…let the battle commence! To arms, to arms…prepare to defend your fair city! “Constantinople 1453 (On The Eve Of The Fall)” is an epic heavy metal eulogy written to mourn the fall of Constantinople on May 29, 1453, to the invading Ottoman Turks. The majestic city was the capital of the Byzantine Empire and the home of Eastern Christianity. The powerful and beautiful vocals of guest vocalist Melissa Iacono add an elegant back-up to Gaffney’s lethal war cry and guest musician Michael Gostanian adds another native Greek instrument, the kanonaki, to an already monstrous soundtrack which paints the picture of fallen heroes, merciless marauders, panicked citizens and burning rubble. From the mighty cathedral Hagia Sophia to the Hippodrome and the Blachaernaen Gates, no detail of the city was spared as you can literally close your eyes and imagine the horrific scenes of death and the final heroic stand of Palaeologos that occurred on the horrible day so many years ago. The Reign puts all of their collective passion and energy in this masterpiece, as the guitars sound melodic and powerful battle call, the bass and drums hammer away like Hephaestus at his forge, and the vocals rise and fall amidst the chaotic din of battle. Who needs a movie? This track is as close as you can possibly get to writing history with thunder and lightning!

If you were to say that Phoenix Reign’s musical machine is heavily fueled and influenced by legendary metal bands like Iron Maiden, Helloween and Judas Priest, you would be correct, but you would also be selling the band short. They also toss in some 80s pop-metal touches ala Dokken, Scorpions, and Guns N’ Roses, and add an assortment of unique guitar riffs and leads heavily influenced by Greek and Eastern European music. The band is tailor made to deliver their distinctive brand of Hellenic hellfire. Drummer Wayne Noon’s controlled frenzy on the kit packs more of a wallop than the Long Island Express. Bass man Chris Pollatos delivers the grooves with ease, taking influence from legends like Duff McKagan and Steve Harris. The guitar attack of Kostas Psarros and Billy Chrissochos is the sum of two very contrasting styles uniting with deadly results. Psarros brings heavy classical influences to his fleet-fingered fretwork, and his skill on the Greek tzoura will make your jaw drop. Chrissochos wields his BC Rich Warlock like a man possessed, unleashing crunchy yet melodic chords and harmonies, and destroys the strings with his raw, classic heavy metal soloing. Vocalist Theresa Gaffney can be an angel one minute and a devil the next. One minute she will bewitch you with a sultry siren's call, and the next minute she can knock you to the dirt with just the right amount of attitude and aggression. Her emotional delivery makes you feel the pain of her heartbreak, the wrath of her anger, and power of her confidence.

When Phoenix Reign decided to bestow the name Destination Unknown to their debut album, they could not have picked a better title, as it only represents the beginning of a musical journey which is not even close to reaching its creative peak. But what a beginning it is! Like the flames that envelop the firebird in their name, Phoenix Reign has raced out of the gates with their tires screaming and engine roaring with one mission in mind…setting the New York and the worldwide power metal scene ablaze with their Byzantine-flavored melodic metal inferno!

Do yourself a favor, and do what the title track says…follow them on the road…from Destination Unknown to Destination Domination! Oh yeah, and buy the album too!

Review written by: Matt B.         
Date: June 26, 2007             
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5