Album Review: Phoenix Lake – Seraphina: The Fall From Eden (Self Released)

UK alternative metal outfit Phoenix Lake are due to release their debut LP, ‘Seraphina: The Fall of Eden’, on February 27th, 2026. A conceptual album that chronicles the journey of a fallen angel as she navigates the complexities of human existence.

Spectacular. Phoenix Lake have arrived and brought an epic with them. A fourteen-track epic that shows just how strong the band’s alternative metal sound is. The concept is interesting, and across the album’s runtime, Phoenix Lake showcase it in style. Really drawing the listener into the world and the experience of its character.

I found myself completely charmed with the record.

Beginning with the atmospheric and symphonic Sor El (The Descent), the set-up is impressive as Seraphina tells us that this is the story of how she lost her wings. Transitioning nicely into the meaty Fall from Eden, where high-powered riffs, thumping drums, gorgeous melodies, and soaring vocals quickly grab the attention. Phoenix Lake showing off just how anthemic they can be, especially as it’s one of many that have a potent chorus.

Choruses like the one that helps make This Abyss a solid track, although the heavy breakdown and modern metal switch near the end is what really makes it one of the album’s strongest efforts. Or choruses that help make hyper-active and heavy symphonic giants like Heart of Obsidian more accessible.

Though I think it’s fair to say that you’ll struggle to find tracks that aren’t accessible to a wider alternative audience. Tracks like Fractured Wings (I love that unexpected heavy flash) and Seraphina (I love the guitar soloing), which take us up to the halfway point in breathless fashion. I do really think they’re going to surprise many who may be familiar with the name, but haven’t given their music too much time, so spectacular is this album.

One of three story telling pieces, Echo 1 (Embers) continues the story and leads into the glorious The Divine. Highly melodramatic, slowing the tempo, and putting focus on the immense vocals, it’s the kind of track that touches the soul. Whereas Woven in Time excites because of its epic melodies and, once again, it has a very cool guitar solo.

The second story telling piece, Echo 2 (Hollow Light) is next and adds some heartbreak and tension to things. Which means Bells of Variel comes with a lot of heavy power, and not just from the instruments. I really dig the vocal roars, ringing bells, and crunchy riff/drum combo that comes in the latter part of the track. One of my personal favourite listens.

Though I have little to complain about with Serenity and I’ll Let You Go. The former, with exciting guitar groove, a touch of synth, and another kickass chorus. The latter, downright tear-jerking in its beauty. This is one hell of a strong section of the album, capped off perfectly with Echo 3 (the Bloom), one last piece of dramatic storytelling to finish off things in style.

On first listen, I was blown away by what Phoenix Lake had accomplished here, from a musical standpoint. Yet on subsequent listens (and there have been many), I’m become just as impressed by the story detail. Debuts don’t get more spectacular than this and I think it’s strong enough to be the sort of record you want to hear played in full at a show, especially if they can (one day) turn it into a ‘sort of’ production that tells the story too.

Phoenix Lake have landed and the alternative rock and metal world is better for their arrival.

Phoenix Lake – Seraphina: The Fall of Eden Track Listing:

1. Sor El (The Descent)
2. Fall from Eden
3. This Abyss
4. Heart of Obsidian
5. Fractured Wings
6. Seraphina
7. Echo 1 (Embers)
8. The Divine
9. Woven in Time
10. Echo 2 (Hollow Light)
11. Bells of Variel
12. Serenity
13. I’ll Let You Go
14. Echo 3 (The Bloom)

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