Nemesyz: Phase Zero

Visit the MySpace page for Nemesyz and one of the first things you will see is the tag line of "Symphonic Metal From The Netherlands", however once the Phase Zero EP starts to spin, there's a decided lack of metallic sheen to the band's sound. The blazing riffs and classically inspired keys that the genre Symphonic Metal brings to mind aren't completely absent, however there is a modern punkish snarl to vocalist Tom de Wit's delivery and the keyboards are more gently inspired by prog rock.

Now if the punk-prog description has you ever so slightly scratching your head, then don't, because more importantly the music itself makes perfect sense. "Time" sets the tone with a Queensryche like spoken intro, before clanging keyboards are brutally assaulted by a brash, harsh riff and de Wit roars, shouts and hollers his way into view. Tempo changes dive in and out and the big keyboard chords make a surprisingly welcome bed fellow for the tough guitar work. On paper this shouldn't work, however in practise it's an impressive marriage of styles.

"Cold Light of Monday" bounces along with Roland Le Fevre's accordion synth rhythm, this time the keys are allowed to dominate the guitars and with Joe Fabriek hurrying round the drums the effect is of joyous aggression being released in quite a liberating way, lethal, but with a grin plastered all over its face.

Whilst the opening pair are an impressive introduction to Nemesyz, "No One's Child" shines through as the best track on board. A keyboard motif that worms its way into your memory lifts the whole track and it's almost like Green Day discovered melodic rock! Closing track "Like A Toy" relies on a more straight ahead riff, however it's backed with keys that wouldn't be out of place on a House of Lords song and once more the fusing of styles works well.

The production may be a little basic in places, however Nemesyz write music with enough bight and energy to negate that issue and considering that this is their debut offering, this is a band that will be well worth watching to see what twists and turns come next.

Track Listing
1. Time
2. Cold Light of Monday
3. No One's Child
4. Like A Toy

Added: February 8th 2010
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Band's MySpace Page
Hits: 2300
Language: english

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