The Longest Night

Well, this is a surprise. Pharaoh are an American band proving that the land of the free is still a breeding ground for some fine, fine metal. This band got some press for their debut "After The Fire", which I missed, but this one hit me square between the eyes with some of the best metal I've heard this year.

The trick with traditional metal is you don't have any gimmicks to fall back on – no blastbeats, no keyboards – you just have to write good songs, and Pharaoh do that like it was the easiest thing in the world. From the opener of "Sunrise" your jaw will drop at the massive guitar harmonies that put Maiden's recent works to shame, and this band does not let up on the heaviness either, with slammers like "I Am The Hammer", and "In The Violet Fire". Pharaoh successfully combine heaviness with melody and power, as do all the best metal bands. Highlighting the technically impressive songwriting are stellar leads and the charismatic vocals of ex-Control Denied singer Tim Aymar, who wails out some very catchy melody lines on album highlights like the aforementioned two and the best track "Up The Gates", which has 'metal classic' written all over it. Not ever song is this good, and there are some dull spots on the album, but overall Pharaoh have put together a real monster of an album that is sure to end up on a lot of 'best of' lists this year – at least the ones made by reviewers who are half-awake.

With a single stroke Pharaoh have gone from 'potential', to 'serious contenders' with US metal machines like Twisted Tower Dire and Cage. If you love Heavy Metal, then you have to have this one, as it is sure to be one of 2006 most talked-about albums – with very good reason. Buy.