Some of the members of Phoenix Mourning may not have found full-blown success in their last outfit Calm, but that hasn't stopped them from giving it another go in Phoenix Mourning - a band who should fit nicely in-between Unearth and As I Lay Dying on the Metal Blade roster.

An often edgy collection of searing aggressive screams and emphatic melodic croons, Phoenix Mourning employ the now age old screamo style, but ensure that it is backed by a relatively traditional metal backdrop.

Lots of snarling riffs, solid drumming and even some atmospheric flourishes come to a head throughout the albums 13 tracks; and although much of it could bring comparisons to bands like Poison The Well and their ilk, some of it could even make groups like Spineshank come to mind.

Surprisingly competent for a 'new' band, the song writing is more elaborate than expected and possesses many nuances of the metal of old. However, heshers need not apply as a very modern outlook is employed here with all the traits of bleeding edge metalcore on display.

Still, it's a really well put together effort, even if it isn't exactly about to turn the world on its ear. The level of sophistication it features is one most of their peers have yet to attain, and while it doesn't put them ahead of the curve, it definitely inserts them into the running for one of the upper positions in the pack.