Fenix Down

Fenix Down wins Sonic Bids/ Fuse TV Video Contest. Their video I'm Ready is shown to nearly 1 million people. - Sonic Bids

Check out hottest newband.net - hottestnewband.net

** additional note: Fenx Down has achieved #1 Band on A & R Select as of March 2007, Reciving top 5 music charting in all music streaming categories.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – Hollywood’s hottest indie A&R firm, A&R Select, has announced the bringing-on-board of Fenix Down, a hard rock band whose melodic stylings incorporate elements of prog with the inspiration they find in epic video games.
According to a spokesman for A&R Select, "Video games may seem an odd inspiration for a metal band, especially for non-gamers. But that media has come a long way and some top shelf games feature strong songwriting and compelling melodies, all delivered with surprising depth. And the lush graphics are terrific material to inspire metal, a genre that has roots in fantasy and broad themes. Fenix Down takes epic and conceptual musical themes and translates them into soaring, majestic metal anthems."
Tony Hanson of Fenix Down elaborates. “Video games inspire me, such as the Halo soundtrack or the Final Fantasy battle music. The music drives and syncs up with the camera shots just right to really make an impact!" Hanson continues, "Every song is built around a heroic principle, whether it’s not giving up or standing up for what you believe in.”
Hanson also cites cinema as a major influence for Fenix Down. “I like a lot of the big hit movie soundtracks, such as Gladiator, Interview with the Vampire, Rudy, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars… in my opinion, the soundtracks are, in a sense, alive and in perfect sync with the films.”
Fenix Down earned second place honors in Club L’Amour’s “Battle of the Bands,” rising above more than 130 bands in the tri-state area, as well as taking second place in MakeAStar.com’s Sweet Sixteen contest. The band’s song, “Rain,” has won track of the day on GarageBand.com; RateSomeMusic.com declared Fenix Down their artist of the week. Metal Maniacs featured the band in 2001 and 2002 and Fenix Down has appeared on two compilation CDs for Multiple Sclerosis and had also collaborated on a CD supporting Autism research.
Fenix Down has opened for Supermasiv (featuring members of Type O Negative, Life of Agony and Uranium 235), No More Tears (with Twisted Sister’s drummer), Vanilla Ice, Symphony X and The Nerds. Benard Purdy, Richie Castellano (of Blue Oyster Cult) and Vernon Reid (Living Color) performed on Fenix Down’s last album, which was produced by Dave DeBerry (Seven Dust, Mary J, Queen Latifah, Outkast, Alicia Keys) and tracked by Kevin Odom (LL Cool J).
The band– which formed in 1998– is currently writing songs and is planning a 2008 release for its new album. Members are Tony, Fatthew, Tones, Jennifer, Robin and Perry.
More information is available by visiting www.fenixdown.com, www.myspace.com/fenixdownny and www.arselect.com
- A&R Select

'Fenix Down'
'Protected'

- Genre: 'Rock' - Release Date: '2006'

The New York band Fenix Down (http://www.fenixdown.com) may have a yen for the video game "Final Fantasy," but there's nothing cold and computerized about their music. Instead, this is straightforward post-grunge rock & roll, delivered with buoyant, youthful energy and thick, steel-melting guitars.

However, Fenix Down aren't discordant noisemakers; this is a group with both adrenaline and heart. Beneath the layers of macho riffing is a sensitive heart, which is expressed through the yearning vocals of singer/guitarist Tony Hanson.

On some level Fenix Down can be compared to Linkin Park minus the rapping. Like Linkin Park, Fenix Down have chunky, loud guitars that scream of bruised emotions and ominous synth lines that color their oppressive rhythms, especially on "Breathe Again," which suggests a clash between the hard-rock pounding of Metallica with the industrial underbelly of Stabbing Westward.

Fenix Down fit squarely into Active Rock radio stations stateside. They combine the best qualities of metal with the more edgy sides of alternative. "The One" has a sizzling guitar solo from Richie Castellano of Blue Oyster Cult, giving the track a past meets present rush of classic and modern rock.

But for all their eardrum-blasting weaponry, it's Fenix Down's melodicism that impresses the most. These are catchy songs, and the band isn't afraid to go really pop, as on the sunny "Wall." Such versatility is commendable and entertaining.

..>
http://www.whisperinandhollerin.com/reviews/review.asp?id=4391


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- Whisperin & Hollerin

Saturday, February 24, 2007

New Album Review in!!! check it out
Category: Music

..> Written by Michael Sutton
New York band ignites modern rock scene with Final Fantasy-flavored soundscapes and heavy metal thunder.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[12.12.06]
Don't blame Fenix Down if they sound like a number of other loud rock groups that have catapulted from alternative radio into million-selling mosh pits since the grunge revolution of the '90s. This is a young band that wears its influences - Linkin Park, Gravity Kills, Metallica, etc - on its sleeves but has something else to say.

It's actually easy to differentiate Fenix Down from their predecessors. One of the them is the harmonizing between vocalist/guitarist Tony Hanson and singer Jennifer Leigh Diffendale. On "Can't Reach You," Hanson and Diffendale exchange verses with electrifying chemistry, thankfully distancing itself from the Goth romance of Evanescence, to which it will inevitably be compared. Furthermore, while there's plenty of rage-spewing, arena-filling sonic booms, Hanson's singing leans towards a decidedly more poppy approach. He's not trying to bellow like the Cookie Monster or imitating Trent Reznor's flat, agonized delivery.

Fenix Down have confessed an affection for Final Fantasy, and fans of that video game might find hidden depth on this record while the unenlightened like myself remain blissfully oblivious.

The production on Protected is surprisingly sleek for a self-released CD. Fenix Down clearly spent some good money and time in making this record, and that extra effort rewards the listener with a collection of robust and easily palatable rock songs.

review located at:

..> http://www.cdreviews.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1669&Itemid=27
- CD Reviews.com

Fenixdown - Falling Clouds Review Posted By Tom Cocozza on 04.10.03

One of the hottest acts on the NYC club/bar scene,

Fenixdown might just be the new stars of metal. It’s been a long time since I’ve done one of these, that’s for sure. Well, here we go.Falling Clouds is the second demo CD from the band Fenixdown, which I have seen live a few times, most recently a week and a half ago. It was then I realized how much I really liked their live set, and decided to get their demo CD, and see how they sounded in my stereo at home. Well, it was good enough for me to get off my lazy news-column writing ass and do a review of the thing, so here we go.First off, it’s a demo CD. Being as such, there are only four songs, which is a shame, being that they have quite a few good songs in their library. The four they picked are good ones though, giving a varied view of what they are capable of, showcasing the talents of the band.We’ll take this song by song, and then discuss the album as a whole. First up, Sleepsting. This is a crowd-pleaser type song, the kind of thing you would pick as the single off a widely released album. If memory serves, this is usually the closer for their live set. Very good guitar work by Steve Gallo, and good rhythm guitar and vocals by lead singer Tony Hanson. A solid rhythm section drives the song, which is a kind of heroic epic story. In theme it’s similar to the literature inspired rock of Led Zeppelin or Iron Maiden, but in style it’s eons away, with a much faster and upbeat presentation. Good way to start an album.Next up is the song Ready to Believe, which is kind of their power ballad, if you will. Good guitar work here, and haunting vocals by Mr. Hanson. Much more of a traditional song in themes, basically saying that the singer is not going to leave, because he’s finally ready to commit. Really with this one, as with all of the songs, it’s not so much what the band says, but how they say it. Not that I’m saying the lyrics are trite or inane, quite the opposite. Just more so that the message of the songs are tied into the music.Track 3 is called Exit. Good effects in this song to lead in and out, as the band shows they can play more traditional metal. Great riffs here, and the bass player and drums (Matt Barone and Matt Koval respectively) get a chance to show off their stuff, really driving this song home. The fourth and final track is Robotic Age. Once again, some audio effects are used to enhance this track, as the song starts with screeching guitars and thumping bass over sounds of a futuristic conflict. Very catchy vocals with this one, as the rising and falling of Hanson’s voice immediately gets stuck in your head and makes you want to imitate him.Good stuff, all told. The band sounds ultra-tight, and the recording is professional quality, or so near to it it’s nearly impossible to distinguish. There really aren’t bad songs on the album, which is imperative for a demo CD. Each song gives a slightly different flavor of the band, from the grandiose Sleepsting to the apocalyptic Robotic Age, the hard driving Exit to the more emotional Ready to Believe. The songs range from 3½ to 4½ minutes in length, which to my taste is ideal length for most songs, being long enough to be worth your while to listen, with out over-staying their welcome.There is no real story or overlying theme to the album, which I imagine comes more from it being demonstrative in nature than from any design or lack thereof of the band. Tony Hanson, who writes or co-writes all the songs, says on their website that he is always interested in the hero overcoming odds, and that is theme that can be seen in all four songs, to varying degrees.Another good thing about Falling Clouds is that it is free to get. If you go to their website, and request a copy, they’ll send it to you, free of charge. The website is www.fenixdown.com, and they also have more songs you can download and listen to, as well as lyrics, and all the usual band information type stuff. The CD, if you haven’t gotten it by now, is one I highly recommend.The 411 .::. If you like metal or heavy rock that has a focus on melody, then you’ll probably like these guys. The music is crisp and exciting, and very accessible.
Final Score: 9.0


SOME THOUGHTS

A couple of days ago, I was hanging out at this bar in Brooklyn with a bunch of my friends. There were having live bands in addition to their usual cheap drinks, so we decided to check them out. Most of the bands were pretty good, but the closing act blew me away. I’ve seen them a few times before on the New York City circuit, and always liked them, but they recently made some changes, and are damned unbelievable. The band is called FenixDown.

Their sound is highly original, unlike any other band on the NYC music scene, sort of a progressive metal, with emo and symphonic elements thrown in. As a stage show, the band is tight, they come across polished and comfortable on stage, as opposed to most bands, which simply stand there and play while the lead singer mumbles into the microphone. These guys were very charismatic on stage, getting a lot of audience interaction into their set, as well as simply knowing what to do when you’re up there playing.


- Tom Cocozza of 411mania.com

After winning "track of the day" with their song "Rain" off their previous demo, The Fenix has risen once again striking a second time with a song off their debut album "Protected" called "The One".

Rain in the past has peaked at 5stars with "The One" trailing close behind and rising at 4.6 stars! - Garageband & Tony Hanson

Fenix Down 2007
Protected

As far as red-state modern rock goes, Fenix Down are better than most. Although the band is from New York, their sound is far different than the Strokes-fueled post-punk that has been bursting from that area since the '90s crashed and burned. Fenix Down aren't into danceable, angular riffs and faux English accents. The group skews younger, both in terms of their membership and marketability.
"Sleepsting" is pop-punk without the mallrat clichés, and the piano at the end gives it a unique touch. On "The One" and "Ready to Believe," Fenix Down are at their best, delivering enough explosive guitars and supersonic drums to pummel a football team into submission. But this isn't mindless, or tuneless, thrashing. Fenix Down have a good feel for FM-friendly, toe-tapping rhythms. Like Nine Inch Nails and Gravity Kills, Fenix Down have one foot in the headbangers' ball and one boot in the NASA control room, making synthetic textures rock as much as flame-throwing guitar solos.
I'm particularly impressed with the drumming of Tones, who really keeps this record moving, giving the grinding axe work of Tony Hanson and Joe Perry a melodic underbelly.
Fenix Down: www.fenixdown.com
Ink19

http://www.ink19.com/issues/december2006/musicReviews/musicF/ - Kyrby Raine of Ink 19.com

Review by Tom Cocozza of 411mania.com

One of the hottest acts on the NYC club/bar scene, Fenix Down might just be the new stars of metal.

It’s been a long time since I’ve done one of these, that’s for sure. Well, here we go.

Blue is the second demo CD from the band Fenix Down, which I have seen live a few times, most recently a week and a half ago. It was then I realized how much I really liked their live set, and decided to get their demo CD, and see how they sounded in my stereo at home. Well, it was good enough for me to get off my lazy news-column writing ass and do a review of the thing, so here we go.
First off, it’s a demo CD. Being as such, there are only four songs, which is a shame, being that they have quite a few good songs in their library. The four they picked are good ones though, giving a varied view of what they are capable of, showcasing the talents of the band.
We’ll take this song by song, and then discuss the album as a whole. First up, Sleepsting. This is a crowd-pleaser type song, the kind of thing you would pick as the single off a widely released album. If memory serves, this is usually the closer for their live set. Very good guitar work by Steve Gallo, and good rhythm guitar and vocals by lead singer Tony Hanson. A solid rhythm section drives the song, which is a kind of heroic epic story. In theme it’s similar to the literature inspired rock of Led Zeppelin or Iron Maiden, but in style it’s eons away, with a much faster and upbeat presentation. Good way to start an album.
Next up is the song Ready to Believe, which is kind of their power ballad, if you will. Good guitar work here, and haunting vocals by Mr. Hanson. Much more of a traditional song in themes, basically saying that the singer is not going to leave, because he’s finally ready to commit. Really with this one, as with all of the songs, it’s not so much what the band says, but how they say it. Not that I’m saying the lyrics are trite or inane, quite the opposite. Just more so that the message of the songs are tied into the music.
Track 3 is called Exit. Good effects in this song to lead in and out, as the band shows they can play more traditional metal. Great riffs here, and the bass player and drums (Matt Barone and Matt Koval respectively) get a chance to show off their stuff, really driving this song home.
The fourth and final track is Robotic Age. Once again, some audio effects are used to enhance this track, as the song starts with screeching guitars and thumping bass over sounds of a futuristic conflict. Very catchy vocals with this one, as the rising and falling of Hanson’s voice immediately gets stuck in your head and makes you want to imitate him.

Good stuff, all told. The band sounds ultra-tight, and the recording is professional quality, or so near to it it’s nearly impossible to distinguish. There really aren’t bad songs on the album, which is imperative for a demo CD. Each song gives a slightly different flavor of the band, from the grandiose Sleepsting to the apocalyptic Robotic Age, the hard driving Exit to the more emotional Ready to Believe. The songs range from 3½ to 4½ minutes in length, which to my taste is ideal length for most songs, being long enough to be worth your while to listen, with out over-staying their welcome.
There is no real story or overlying theme to the album, which I imagine comes more from it being demonstrative in nature than from any design or lack thereof of the band. Tony Hanson, who writes or co-writes all the songs, says on their website that he is always interested in the hero overcoming odds, and that is a theme that can be seen in all four songs, to varying degrees.
Another good thing about Blue is that it is free to get. If you go to their website, and request a copy, they’ll send it to you, free of charge. The website is www.fenixdown.com, and they also have more songs you can download and listen to, as well as lyrics, and all the usual band information type stuff.
The CD, if you haven’t gotten it by now, is one I highly recommend.
The 411 .::. If you like metal or heavy rock that has a focus on melody, then you’ll probably like these guys. The music is crisp and exciting, and very accessible.




- Tom Cocozza of 411mania.com

Review by Michael Sutton of cdreviews.com



Fenix Down - Protected




New York band ignites modern rock scene with Final Fantasy-flavored soundscapes and heavy metal thunder.

[12.12.06]
Don't blame Fenix Down if they sound like a number of other loud rock groups that have catapulted from alternative radio into million-selling mosh pits since the grunge revolution of the '90s. This is a young band that wears its influences - Linkin Park, Gravity Kills, Metallica, etc - on its sleeves but has something else to say.
It's actually easy to differentiate Fenix Down from their predecessors. One of the them is the harmonizing between vocalist/guitarist Tony Hanson and singer Jennifer Leigh Diffendale. On "Can't Reach You," Hanson and Diffendale exchange verses with electrifying chemistry, thankfully distancing itself from the Goth romance of Evanescence, to which it will inevitably be compared. Furthermore, while there's plenty of rage-spewing, arena-filling sonic booms, Hanson's singing leans towards a decidedly more poppy approach. He's not trying to bellow like the Cookie Monster or imitating Trent Reznor's flat, agonized delivery.
Fenix Down have confessed an affection for Final Fantasy, and fans of that video game might find hidden depth on this record while the unenlightened like myself remain blissfully oblivious.
The production on Protected is surprisingly sleek for a self-released CD. Fenix Down clearly spent some good money and time in making this record, and that extra effort rewards the listener with a collection of robust and easily palatable rock songs.
www.fenixdown.com - Michael Sutton of cdreviews.com