There’s a lot of different sounds and influences happening with Pheonix rockers ESCAPE THE HIVE. I can hear elements of rock going back to the late 60’s. In other words, it’s an extremely well-rounded release that should appeal to a wide array of music fans.
My initial reaction was that it’s in the same of bands like THE DEAD DAISIES, THE ANSWER, GLENN HUGHES and his band BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION. Those bands of course are taking their cue from the Classic Rock era as well.
You could put these guys in the Stoner Rock category, it’s on the fringes of that sound but the fuzzed out guitars and analog-style production put it into that genre to some degree. Their version of The Beatles “Something” is a trippy psychedelic and rocked up take on the classic. The heavy thick bass and Hammond organ on songs like “I Can See It” will also appeal to the Stoner Rock crowd.
Ironically, they also fit into the more melodic AOR style as well. Singer Michael Thomas Beck seems to have a flare for great melody and harmony. Again, it’s not a solidly planted AOR album but there’s enough there to give those fans something to love.
I have no doubt that ESCAPE THE HIVE is a killer live band. The production on the album sounds “live” and you can also tell they have some “jam band” influence, especially on the last track “Roll Of The Dice”. The seem to be exceptionally tight and very accomplished musicians.
I can say with all honesty they’re one of the more interesting bands I’ve heard in awhile. They have a comfortable and recognizable sound, but they’re proving that Hard Rock still has places it can travel down. They’re not a clone of anyone and they don’t sound exactly like one band, rather they’ve taken their own influences and sound to create something quite fresh in my humble opinion.
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