![phantom – transylvanian nightmare [ep]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Phantom-–-Transylvanian-Nightmare-EP-cover.jpg "Phantom – Transylvanian Nightmare [EP]")
Info
- Band(s): Phantom
- Label(s): Doomentia Records, Headsplit Records, Inframetal Records
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, Cassette, CD, EP
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: October 25, 2024
- Author(s): FelixS
Although the band had already released a couple of short players, Phantom from Mexicon only came to my attention with their ‘Handed To Execution’-debut album from last year. It portrays a band that obviously pays homage to the metal of yesteryear. The album is brimming with great and memorable riffs that echoes the classic works of bands like Exciter, Possessed, Venom, Motörhead, Exumer, Kreator and basically everything that made the 80’s such a great decade for Heavy Metal. Now the four-piece is back with a mini LP released through Doomentia Records.
Where ‘Handed To Execution’ was stitched in a beautiful 80’s-style sleeve, ‘Transylvanian Nightmare’ looks a bit more sophisticated, though still true to the old school format. That’s exactly how we can see this 4-track EP. Nothing has changed in the musical concept, but it does sound a bit more elaborate. This may have come at the cost of the band’s youthful energy slightly, but the music is in no way less enjoyable.
While indeed the musical building blocks on ‘Transylvanian Nightmare’ are largely the same, the music has slightly shifted even more into a Heavy Metal-laced sort of Speed Metal with a proto-Black Metal edge to it. Consequently, this way Phantom is lining up in the same musical corners that are dominated by Deströyer 666: they do display the same sort of catchiness, fist-pumping sing-along parts and apparent penchant for classic Heavy Metal leads. Especially this EP’s closing track ‘Raging Pyres’ is awfully close to what Deströyer 666 has been doing for the past fifteen years or so. This is by no means a disqualification as it is brought forth with all the right intentions and convincing aesthetics. With all the individual musical aspects in the right place this is truly the right stuff for anyone who likes to have their metal utterly regressive and free from all unnecessary modern bells and whistles.
All in all, ‘Transylvanian Nightmare’ might be a little less awe-inspiring than their debut album and the classical Spanish-sounding guitar instrumental feels quite redundant, the remaining three tracks form a worthy addition to anyone’s traditional metal fuelled Speed/Thrash/Black Metal collection. It is needless to say that Phantom’s brand of metal is perfectly suitable for a vinyl record, however if you prefer other formats you can head to Headsplit Records and Inframetal Records for this EP’s cassette tape and CD editions respectively.
Phantom
- Country: Mexico
- Style: Thrash Metal, Speed Metal
- Links: Instagram, Bandcamp, Spotify, Youtube
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Doomentia Records
- Country: Czechia
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Thrash Metal, Other
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Headsplit Records
- Country: USA
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Inframetal Records
- Country: Mexico
- Style: Black Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Speed Metal, Other
