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UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - phantoma CD | ||||||||||||||
| Canadas most
exciting metal band, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, recently ascended to
worldwide power metal domination with their dual-concept releases of
2017s Apex and 2020s breakout triumph Abyss. The latter won a JUNO
Award for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year, debuted at #1 on the US
Current Hard Music and Top New Artist charts, was dubbed by Bandcamp
as a mandatory listen, and named by Loudwire as one of the best
rock and metal albums of the year - crowning the band as
gamechangers within the genre. Now, the purveyors of
futuristically-motivated metal return with their conceptual, AI
inspired sixth studio album, Phantoma, out May 10, 2024 via Napalm
Records. Frontwoman and lyricist Brittney Slayes conjured Phantomas
concept in 2021; before the swarm of pressing commentary surrounding
AI and its impending grip on society began to reach an all-time high.
Led by the albums protagonist Phantoma, a Phase 4 / Network Tier 0
unit - model A, the story recounts the trials of AI gaining sentience
on a dystopian, near-future planet earth. Via the bands
one-of-a-kind blend of power metal, traditional heavy metal, modern
prog and pop sensibilities, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS spin a web of sharp
musicality, high sci-fi concept and important social commentary about
seeing the brutal truths behind the manufactured sheen of social media
posturing. Defying controversy and bringing their imagination to life,
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS utilized AI during the writing, filming, and
production process on Phantoma, and weaved electronic and synthwave
elements throughout the albums 10 colossal anthems, which - in line
with its theme - prove much darker and heavier in comparison to the
bright positivity of Abyss. Album opener Human Era sets the tone
with imagery of a bleak, windswept futurescape that crescendos
headlong into the breakneck pace of following power metal bastion
Ph4/NT0mA - a masterwork of dueling guitar solos and vocal
acrobatics. Trad-metal influenced Buried In Code lights the way
with pummeling rhythms before the albums path turns dark on heavy
metal hardened The Collective, with Brittney Slayes warm tones
inviting the listener to join or stand aside! Hair-raising first
single Green & Glass unveils the truth with dynamic verses and
progressive-tinged guitar work before the upbeat 80s flavored Gods
In Decay and the extraordinary balladic anthem Give It Up Or Give
It All showcase the varied song writing prowess of UNLEASH THE
ARCHERS modern era. A trifecta of concept closers begins with the
moody Ghosts In The Mist, leading into the soaring yet menacing
Seeking Vengeance before closing with the bittersweet tale of
Blood Empress. Mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen, and with lead
guitarist Andrew Kingsley at the helm as both principal songwriter and
producer, Phantoma is an exciting advancement in UNLEASH THE ARCHERS
songwriting and storytelling mastery, and a giant leap forward in
their towering musical trajectory. Tracks:
Genres: Heavy Metal |  | |||||||||||||
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