Holy smokes! PHANTASM -- tell me someone knows this band???

Not to be confused with Katon DePena's side band also called Phantasm, who played thrash metal (though they're quite good and should be checked out as well), I'm talking about Wisconsin death metallers Phantasm.

It's true, I'm not the biggest fan of death metal. I prefer death metal in it's early stages, when it was still very raw and thrashy but dig my share of classic bands like Massacre, Cancer, Grotesque, Autopsy and Dismember along with select others. But this band Phantasm is really knocking my socks off right now. They only released two demos in the early 90s and later a best of compilation, sadly.

Probably the most original, ear-pleasing and unique death metal band I've ever had the pleasure of being acquainted with. Their music perfectly captures the atmosphere and aura of some wicked, gory horror movie with creepier-than-f*ck spoken word intros, organ interludes and just one hell of a menacing vibe. Guitar sound is rich and thick, the music never boring or repetitive (they're quite prog-like at times) and the vocals a perfect mixture of the (slightly) decipherable, guttural and high wailing shrieks. Awesome stuff.

Anyone familiar with 'em??

Don't know the band, but loved the movies!

kmorg wrote:

Don't know the band, but loved the movies!

Hehe yeah the movies rock, especially the original.

I think I have seen a cd of theirs in a local used bin, mybe a compilation of the first 2 demos....I recall looking at it and wondering about them but then putting it down....it's still there....

hmmmmmmmmmmm.

I've seen the band 4 or 5 times, I have The Abominable cd. Long songs on the cd, most over 6 mins. Old school DM forsure. They alsoo used to spray the crowd with some sort of green slim at shows.-TJ

Phantasm/The Abominable/Death Trap-Monster Driver(1995)

When I was in Enter Self, we played a few Milwaukee Metal Fests and they were at the first one we played in like '94 or something..? Tat was one wacko weird band... but I did enjoy their music and their quite odd (GWAR-ish if you will) stage show. I remember the green slime too, glad I was in back LOL!

great band ................i have their cd too!