Sci-fi metal is often propulsive and epic. Much of it dwells in a death metal space that’s slickly produced and bombastic, and when it’s not in full\u00a0Ancient Aliens\u00a0<\/em>mode, sci-fi metal tends to lean more\u00a0Star Wars\u00a0<\/em>than\u00a0Star Trek\u00a0<\/em>as a general rule, at least to the casual listener.<\/p>\n
Not so with Phase IV<\/strong>. Their self-titled debut is sci-fi metal, to be sure, but it’s far less bombastic than its genre peers. If a lot of sci-fi metal sets out to chronicle a fantastic voyage through the stars, then Phase IV has made a record that’s more akin to the captain’s log of a lost alien wanderer seeking safe passage through hostile solar systems. This is less interstellar and more interplanetary rock.<\/p>\n