Solo artist Mike Phillips has been in the professional music industry for over 20 years recording and performing with national and international acts such as Deliverance, Decadence, Fasedown and Torn. Mike has also done various studio projects with several musicians and bands.

MIRRORS WITHIN MIRRORS (2009) ROXX RECORDS

  1. All I Ever Wanted - instrumental
  2. Mirrors Within Mirrors Pt. 1
    1. Prelude (Outer Darkness)
    2. Infinite Mirrors
    3. Divisions
    4. Tempus Fugit
  3. Mirrors Within Mirrors Pt. 2
    1. Without Form
    2. The Journey
    3. Secret Games
    4. The Darkest Hour
    5. Passion
    6. Nail And Tears
  4. Prelude # 3 from the Well Tempered Clavier - instrumental
  5. Always Remember - instrumental
  6. Anthem
  7. Omega (Rev. 21) - instrumental
  8. Seasons Of Life - instrumental
  9. One Day - instrumental
  10. It's The Beat
  11. Who Am I? Pt. 1 (A Song For Christopher) - instrumental
  12. I Will Praise Him Still
  13. Omega (Guitars Only) - instrumental

Line-up:

Mike Phillips - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards & Vocals on 2, 3

Jim Chaffin - Drums on 1, 3, 6, 10, 12

Matt Davis - Drums on 2

David Shaeffer - Lead Vocals on 2, 6

Mark Salomon - Guest Vocals on 2

Tim Kronyak - Bass on 3/VI

Jimmy Brown - Lead Vocals on 3/VI

Scott Wallace - Vocals on 6

Bill Bachman - Drums on 7

Scott Waters - Vocals on 10

Heidi Webb - Lead and Backing Vocals on 12

Reshale Thomas - Lead  and Backing Vocals on 12

Andrew Biehler, Sarah A. Carler, Andrew Geist - Backing Vocals on 12

Mike Phillips might not be the most recognizable name. But if I tell you that he has been a members of bands like Deliverance, Fasedown, Decadence and Torn, then you probably know who I am talking about. Here he delivers his first solo effort.

'Mirrors Within Mirrors' is a collection of songs from Mike's heart. This is first and foremost a shred-metal fest. Mike is a world class player, churning out everything from acoustic Spanish rhythms, worthy of a mariachi playing on bullfighting arena, to speedy, razor-sharp thrash metal riffing and abrasive metal core. It's all very experimental, but at the same time the album flows well. His guitar-tone is very recognizable, as it should be with any decent shredder. The CD consists mostly of instrumental tracks. But Mike has also brought in a whole slew of friends to help season his creations. Devin Shaeffer (Fasedown, Once Dead) brings his hardcore vocals to a couple of tracks. But personally I got the biggest kick out of hearing Jimmy Brown's (Deliverance) emotional voice on "Nail An Tears", the last part of the epic "Mirrors Within Mirrors Pt. 2". And speaking of Deliverance, Scott Waters (Ultimatum) guests on the cover of their classic, "It's the Beat".

I've admitted on more then one occasion that I am not a big fan of instrumentals or shred-albums in general. But 'Mirrors Within Mirrors' is so versatile, I kept coming back to discover more. I prefer the tracks with vocals, and absolutely love the thrashier elements, but the title track, in two parts, is also a very cool, epic-length, progressive travel into the guitarists mind.

Killer tracks: Mirrors Within Mirrors Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Anthem

Related artists:

Deliverance