INSATIA – Phoenix Aflame
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 21-06-2017
Combining members from Arizona and Canada, Insatia develop a melodic metal outlook that straddles symphonic and power textures on their second full-length "Phoenix Aflame". Between Zoë Federoff’s soaring, angelic vocal range and the grandiose symphonic embellishments, you get the feeling that songs such as "We Are the Grey" as well as the triplet-filled title cut can have equal appeal to fans of Nightwish and Kamelot.
Back to back ballads on the second half with "Captor and Captive" as well as the acoustic-driven "Velvet Road" may be the only misstep to these ears, although different in feel it really slows the momentum of the record down when a small break was only needed. Special guests include Spiritual Beggars singer Apollo Papathanasio and Armageddon guitarist Chris Amott – but Insatia have the abilities as a quartet to deliver the goods sans additional heavyweight pull. "Phoenix Aflame" hopefully establishes Insatia as a potent newcomer on their way up, able to stand neck and neck with many of the European veterans while establishing their own ideas on this burgeoning symphonic/power movement.