Genre: Death Metal
Origin: USA
Release Date: 1995 (a compilation of earlier demos)
Label: Deathtrap/Monsterdrive
Phantasm was a US Death Metal band from Wisconsin who released a couple of demo tapes and then disappeared from sight. The demos were compiled on this disk.
Now, this does not sound like a full-length record, production-wise. The production is, in technical terms, pretty shitty. Sometimes the drums drown out the guitars, sometimes the vocals are hard to hear, and other issues. These "problems," however, help this recording retain it's underground feel. The songwriting on this is phenomenal and despite the demo-quality production, this doesn't feel like a young band. The songs are memorable, diverse, and sometimes spontaneous, yet they all fit together like Legos in Legos (none of that Mega Bloks shit).
The horror theme is, although a bit cliche, fitting and interesting. This is how Death Metal should sound. This is very, very old school (the band was formed in 1988) with simple riffs, some cool leads (see the beginning of track 1), and some breakdowns* that will tear your neck in half. There is no technical wankery here, no weedly weedlys, just simple balls-out death metal, which is what this band does best.
*note that these are breakdowns before modern -core bands existed. They aren't one-note hammering with slow drums (there are actual riffs here). They instead build up energy instead of resolving it, making the pay-off that much more impressive.
Tracks #'s 1-6 are from The Abominable demo. Track # 7 is the only newly
recorded track. Track #'s 8 & 9 are taken from the Lycanthropy demo (#9 is a
hidden track).
Metal-Archives
The jaws of Satan's Jackals await to feast on your fucking soul!
PS: This upload contains a shitload of extras.
Origin: USA
Release Date: 1995 (a compilation of earlier demos)
Label: Deathtrap/Monsterdrive
Phantasm was a US Death Metal band from Wisconsin who released a couple of demo tapes and then disappeared from sight. The demos were compiled on this disk.
Now, this does not sound like a full-length record, production-wise. The production is, in technical terms, pretty shitty. Sometimes the drums drown out the guitars, sometimes the vocals are hard to hear, and other issues. These "problems," however, help this recording retain it's underground feel. The songwriting on this is phenomenal and despite the demo-quality production, this doesn't feel like a young band. The songs are memorable, diverse, and sometimes spontaneous, yet they all fit together like Legos in Legos (none of that Mega Bloks shit).
The horror theme is, although a bit cliche, fitting and interesting. This is how Death Metal should sound. This is very, very old school (the band was formed in 1988) with simple riffs, some cool leads (see the beginning of track 1), and some breakdowns* that will tear your neck in half. There is no technical wankery here, no weedly weedlys, just simple balls-out death metal, which is what this band does best.
*note that these are breakdowns before modern -core bands existed. They aren't one-note hammering with slow drums (there are actual riffs here). They instead build up energy instead of resolving it, making the pay-off that much more impressive.
Tracks #'s 1-6 are from The Abominable demo. Track # 7 is the only newly
recorded track. Track #'s 8 & 9 are taken from the Lycanthropy demo (#9 is a
hidden track).
Metal-Archives
The jaws of Satan's Jackals await to feast on your fucking soul!
PS: This upload contains a shitload of extras.
Good to see this get some attention. It's an often overlooked gem in the USDM underground. I always prefered this to Dr. Shrinker, though I may be one of the few...
ReplyDeleteHey, I finally get a comment :)
ReplyDeleteNice blog you've got, time to fully utilize my high-speed internet.
lolz at the breakdown comment. youre sorely mistaken. lots of hardcore bands had breakdown parts back then (old earth crisis, snapcase, green rage, biohazard, etc, etc) and of course bands like Suffocation in the DM scene.
ReplyDeletethe breakdowns are mostly 4 chord riffs that come off as sounding generic but still fun. i wouldnt over-credit them, or overlook the history of breakdowns by just thinking they popped up in the last few years from "metal core" bands. its about as retarded as saying "emo" is what you see in the form of hot topic quasi-goth kids. it has its roots in hardcore/punk and was nothing like what you see today.
Wow, i'm on a blog! I got here from some random picture on google images and I like this band! I like their other tape "lycanthropy". I'm glad to participate in the metal community!
ReplyDeleteThis release is available at Graveyard Records & Movie Maniacs located in the bands home town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Get your ORIGINAL release NOT a Bootleg or CD-R but the real deal on cd at www.graveyardrecords.com or 414-486-1751
ReplyDelete