Underground Forgotten: Phantom Lord
Power metal is not a genre that has been praised and adulated in recent years, at least in America. To most American fans, especially newer ones, the grandiose style associated with power metal does not coexist with their idea of what current metal should sound like. Well real metal fans know that metal is more than just death and black metal and all the sounds associated with it. I have harped on this in recent posts concerning my frustrations with the state of traditional metal styles in the U.S., but I will stick to my guns and give you, the readers, a great power metal band that began during the 2nd wave of power metal in the late 90’s early 00’s. Phantom Lord, the Greek band who first popped into the scene in 1997 isn’t especially well known, even in power metal circles, but their style and skill has made them a staple in the scene even in today’s less than widespread support for the sound.
Combining early speed metal era Helloween and Blind Guardian with more melodic speed and thrash metal in America like Heathen and Armored Saint, Phantom Lord is not remotely flowery and does NOT have a dated sound. As we speak, I am listening to Evil’s Domain, the band’s second full length released in 2000, which is ripe with amazing solo’s, speed metal double kick and soaring vocals courtesy of Vasilis Axiotis. This is not Rhapsody of Fire or Heavenly. Many American fans will probably not like the vocals just based on style alone, however, this can be remedied with the outrageous riffing of Yiannis Fiorentis who has more in common stylistically with Morgana Lefay than any light hearted melodic metal band.
Phantom Lord, which should also not be confused with their German counterparts, is a band that any metal fan, regardless of what your opinion on power metal is, should check out on principal alone as a metalhead. There are riffs on each album that everyone can appreciate and bang to, and for those who don’t appreciate the high registered vocals, appreciation of that may come in time. Metal is about challenging your senses and broadening one’s horizons, let’s not let the numerous new age cookie cutter bands get in the way of true, quality bands like Phantom Lord who are severely underappreciated.
CODY
