Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Pharaoh
Title
The Longest Night
Type
LP/EP
Company
Cruz Del Sur
YOR
2006
Style
Power
5/16/2006 - Review by: Eric Compton
Pharaoh - The Longest Night - 2006 - Cruz Del Sur Music

Track Listing
1. Sunrise
2. I Am The Hammer
3. In The Violet Fire
4. By The Night Sky
5. Endlessly
6. The Longest Night
7. Fighting
8. Like A Ghost
9. Up The Gates
10. Never run
US leads the way once again for true metal glory, this time holding the flame high for Pharaoh, who present to the world their sophomore effort "The Longest Night". I discovered Pharaoh through a friend a few years back, really finding the band's debut album, "After The Fire", an absorbing, well defined metal output that really showcased brand new stars. Led by the talented voice of Tim Aymar (Control Denied), the band play a melodic, energetic romp of power metal precision and fury mixed with the softer elements of progressive experimentation. Building on the metallic brooding of the debut, Pharaoh now inject a real progressive presence, something that could be credited to producer Matt Crooks, the man behind Division (in which he is a member) and Twisted Tower Dire. His fabulous production ear on those releases led the way for his participation in this "power progressive" venture. In many ways this release reminds me of today's Jag Panzer crossed with the softer guitar notes from Maiden's "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son". Guitarist Matt Johnsen may be the country's best kept secret, showing off amazing virtuoso skills while still possessing an enormous amount of catchy hook. Tracks like "Sunrise" and "Endlessly" obviously blaze with perfection and skill, but still manage to go one step further by going a bit more technical and experimental. That sort of flare for the obscure can be found on "In The Violent Fire", which starts out playing a loose sort of Running Wild gallop. While that sound could be a bit thin and one-dimensional, Pharaoh really mix it up well and delve deep into subtle guitar notes and a great sense of brooding atmosphere. If the experiments turn you off then you can look at heavy metal anthems like "I Am The Hammer" and "Fighting" as food from the Gods. Favorite track for me is the epic sci-fi tale "By The Night Sky". Also look for a blazing solo from ex-Megadeth axeman Chris Poland on opener "Sunrise".



--EC 05.04.06

  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: PHARAOH
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
After the Fire
2003
Cruz Del Sur
Josh Greer2/17/2004
-
Be Gone
2008
Cruz Del Sur
Vinaya Saksena11/21/2009
3
The Longest Night
2006
Cruz Del Sur
Eric Compton5/16/2006
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: PHARAOH
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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