Agathodaimon – Phoenix

Releasedate: 20-03-2009; Label: Massacre Records
By: Sabine van Gameren

The German dark metal band Agathodaimon released their fifth album “Phoenix” via Massacre Records.

Started as a black metal band, they found their way a bigger audience by changing their music a bit to the dark sound they have now. They never stepped away fromit completely but through the years the music got more approachable. The band took four years to work on “Phoenix” which makes this baby one to watch carefully. Black metal vocals are still there next to clean vocals leaving your mind surprised over the all roundness from vocalist Ashtrael. Most clean vocals are done by Sathonys, but Ashtrael also has his part in here. Seen that he is just a newbie in this band, I would say they have a good catch with him.
The music contains a certain catchiness in the way that it is easy to pick up the feeling of the song. The band carries you with them through those 14 songs and makes you part of it. Mention the virtuous guitarist as well. Jan Jansohn is his name and he surely shows to be a great add her. With five out of six members having their debut on this album, it would hardly make sense to compare it to the work before. It seems to me that Agathodaimon made a bit of a second start, a rebirth.

Way to go, this music made a unique expression with me. Certainly original and pleasant to listen to. This one will not find his way to a dark corner of my collection soon.

Line Up:
Chris “Ashtrael” Bonner – Vocals
Martin “Sathonys” Wickler – Guitars, Clean Vocals
Jan Jansohn – Guitars
Till Ottinger – Bass
Manuel Steitz – Drums
Felix Ü. Walzer – Keyboards

Links:
Agathodaimon MySpace
Agathodaimon Official