Any admirers of female-fronted Metal will find much to enjoy here.

From Aschaffenburg, Germany, Enemy Inside were formed in 2017 by vocalist Nastassja Giulia and lead guitarist Evan K (Mystic Prophecy, solo artist and touring guitarist for Exit Eden). Rhythm guitarist David Hadarik, bassist Dominik Stotzem and drummer Feli Keith complete the line-up, and 'Phoenix' is their impressive debut release.

They deftly blend a Modern Metal style with a Symphonic edge and a slightly Gothic undercurrent, while still maintaining an obvious sense of melody, so imagine if you will a more commercial Lacuna Coil mixed with a darker, Evanescence-ish vibe and the melodic sensibilities of Amaranthe.

Muscular and aggressive riffs combine with some stunning solo guitar work over a crunching rhythm section, but it's the vocals of Giulia that are the cherry on top – her delivery reminds me of newcomer Diamante. What I like is that Enemy Inside avoid relying on what is fast becoming a bit of a cliché with this type of music, that being the inclusion of male "grunted" vocals – on this album, the vocals are completely clean throughout and highly melodic.

More commercial material, such as the opener (and first single) 'Falling Away', 'Phoenix', 'Lullaby', 'Angel's Suicide' and the power ballad 'Doorway To Salvation' (a duet with Serenity's Georg Neuhauser), rub shoulders with heavier cuts like 'Bleeding Out', 'Death Of Me' and 'Dark Skies'. The album closes with a cover of Texas' 'Summer Son' that works extremely well with a Symphonic Metal makeover.

'Phoenix' has a great combination of aggressive guitar arrangements, brilliantly catchy melodies and superb vocals. Any admirers of female-fronted Metal will find much to enjoy here.

Ant Heeks