Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Country: USA
Genre: Post metal, djent
EP: Fragile Immortals
Format: Digital album
Label: Indpendent
Release date: July 4, 2025
I expect to hear much more politically motivated punk and metal in the coming months, while popular music continues to tell us that everything is well. Did you catch the July 4 fireworks display this year? Although Lenny Kravitz made an impression, most of the fare was formulaic, overly commercial and mostly uninspired. Escapism is one thing but denial won't change reality.
This review won’t serve as a political diatribe as many of you are already aware of events following the last election. I’ll focus on this solo project and the contributions of its founding member, who like other bands I’ve encountered, is infusing punk and metal with a heightened sociopolitical awareness, even more so than the social and political consciousness we remember.
The lone songwriter of Phantom Heir took two years in near isolation to complete the conceptual soundscapes of "Fragile Immortals", with only his thoughts and observations of the world around him. Ranging from hardcore and metal to post-metal and djent, the EP’s four tracks were written, arranged and composed as a solo effort, as were the responsibilities of mixing and mastering.
During the period Phantom Heir the artist worked to achieve the frame of mind he wanted, he took inspiration not only from the injustices and oppression experienced in recent years but also from analogous events that have occurred throughout human history The biography at the EP’s Bandcamp page also clearly indicates that throughout every era marked by oppression and cruelty, there exists a spirit of resistance and endurance, and it firmly urges action to rectify the wrongs occurring in the present.
Each release of Phantom Heir was created with him managing all the instrumentals, collaborating with lyricists, vocalists, and cover artists. For this EP, he collaborates with Angel Eduardo and Redouane Aouameur for lyrics and vocals, along with several other artists. Due to his determination to realize his vision and create something distinctive and unconventional to convey on "Fragile Immortals", I was compelled to revisit his previous releases in order to find consistent themes in his body of work.
One of these was characterized by heavy, industrial and atmospheric qualities which were caustic, introspective, and mournful, with a vastness reflecting the enormity of what he and his collaborators perceive in the world. At times, solitude and loneliness can convey the message without a need for lyrics or vocals. However, there are instances when the written word is essential to amplify these feelings, enhance the overall atmosphere, and emphasize the significance of recognizing injustices and rectifying them.
One must be patient and receptive to fully appreciate the music and imagery intertwining to form narratives through his work. The contrast of harsh and melodic vocals added are as unpredictable as the variety of his influence in metal and djent. Once this resonates, it should profoundly expand your awareness, allowing you to grasp the urgency he is conveying to you, the listener. –Dave Wolff
Lineup:
Phantom Heir: All instruments
Angel Eduardo: Clean vocals, lyrics
Redouane Aouameur: Harsh vocals, lyrics
Track list:
1. The Inquisition
2. The Revelation
3. The Tyrants
4. The Harbinger
No comments:
Post a Comment