Two years after their resurrection,
Chester Bennington's early post-grunge outfit
Grey Daze issued
The Phoenix, a follow-up to their 2020 compilation
Amends that collected the tracks that never made it onto that set. While its predecessor was a potent time capsule of grief-stricken catharsis,
The Phoenix contains more straightforward, radio-friendly rock blasts packed with enough angst and fury to wipe those tears away with clenched fists. Once again,
Bennington's inimitable vocals are the focal point. From the first bloody roar on explosive opener "Saturation (Strange Love)," it's clear that he is the main attraction, channeling his many influences, from
Layne Staley to
Richard Patrick. Speaking of the latter, the
Filter frontman appears on "Believe Me," a spacious duet that slowly builds to towering heights at the chorus. Another famous friend,
Dave Navarro, lends his guitar acrobatics to the pained "Holding You," which finds
Bennington uncharacteristically off-key and loose with his delivery. In addition to "Saturation," other standouts include the energetic punk anthem "Anything, Anything," which features one of the most memorable hooks on
The Phoenix, and "Hole," whose meaty riffs and pristine production are buffered by a vocal recording of
Bennington's daughters Lily and Lila. Although much of the album does indeed feel like the leftovers, it provides yet another chance to hear the late singer's voice unleashed on tape, an additional posthumous gift for his die-hard fans and loved ones. ~ Neil Z. Yeung
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