June 16th, 2020 - Deviant Hearts And Rosés For Daze

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing the hauntingly beautiful "The Deviant Hearts", the debut album by symphonic rock band Phantasma and a  tasty Rosé For Daze from Oskar Blues Brewery!  

Album Info: 

• Artist: Phantasma
• Title: "The Deviant Hearts"
• Recorded: 2015 at Lakeside Recording in 
  Release date: November 20th, 2015 (1st studio album by Phantasma)
• Record company: Napalm Records 
• Production: Oliver Philipps
• Album cover art: Marco Mazzoni 
• Personnel: Georg Neuhauser (lead vocals), Oliver Philipps (guitars, keyboards, and vocals), and Charlotte Wessels (lead vocals)
• Additional musicians: Thomas Buchberger (rhythm guitar), Thomas S. Englund (vocals), Randy George (bass), Jason Gianni (drums), Chloe Lowery (vocals), and Dennis Schunke (vocals)
• Musical style: Symphonic rock/metal, progressive rock/metal
• Sound: With influence from bands like Delain, Nightwish, Serenity, and Xandria, the sound on "The Deviant Hearts" soars beautifully!  The are moments of grandeur and moments of soft mellowness.  As always, Wessels' vocals are phenomenal, haunting, and powerful.  Neuhauser is excellent as well and the guest vocals of  Englund is an extra treat!
• Major themes: A concept album about a brother and sister with a rare, imaginary disease that causes their hearts grow larger or smaller based on their emotions, themes include life, death, loss, sorrow, fear, escape, hope, bonds, love, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Incomplete"
   
2. "The Deviant Hearts"
3. "Runaway Gray"
4. "Try"
5. "Enter Dreamscape"
6. "Miserable Me"
7. "The Lotus And The Willow"
8. "Crimson Course"
9. "Carry Me Home"
10. "The Sound Of Fear"
11. "Novaturient"
12. "Let It Die"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Oskar Blues Brewery (Lyons, Colorado)
• Website: https://oskarblues.com/
• Brew: Rosé For Daze
• Style: Rosé Ale / American Pale Ale (APA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 6.0%
• Pour: The  Rosé pours a clear pinkish-golden amber with a 2-finger, bright white head with good retention and sticky, bubbly lacing.
• Nose: The nose is fruity, floral, citrusy, sweet, and tart.  There are aromas of hibiscus, rose petals, wild flowers, grape soda, lemon, prickly pear, lemongrass, melon, and light cereal grains.
• Taste: The taste of the Rosé, like the nose is citrusy, fruity, floral, tart, sweet, and grainy.  There are notes of hibiscus, lemon, orange, cantaloupe, rose water, prickly pear, white wine, and light honey. 
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Rosé For Daze is  spritzy, crisp, tart, and refreshing with a clean, dry finish.

Overall pairing: The easy drinkability and tart punchiness of the Oskar Blues Rosé For Daze is perfect for the beautiful harmonies, soaring keys and guitars, and amazing vocal performances!  If you are ni the mood for something "lighter", but still complex, powerful, and compelling, then this pairing if for you!  'Nuff said!  

Cheers!!