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PHASMA “Purgatory”
PHASMA “Purgatory”
By Theron Moore
Greek death metal mutants PHASMA are gearing up to release their latest record ‘Purgatory’ on February 20. In full transparency I had not heard of PHASMA before but when I saw that their record label was Transcending Obscurity Records I didn’t care, I knew it had to be good, because that’s what this label built its reputation upon, releasing the best of the best, and the heaviest of metal. You know what? I wasn’t wrong, PHASMA are a rock N roll, crushing machine.
“Purgatory” is a sonic assault on the senses told in 6 parts. That’s right, there’s no song titles, just parts I-VI. Music-wise it’s a battering ram of slam hard goodness that effortlessly incorporates elements of doom (some, not much), but predominately a solid reckoning of black and death metal. Let’s be clear, I’m not talking about the retread blackened thrash bullshit every other band feels the need to do, I’m talking a straight up gut punch of black/death metal that’s literally flawless in approach and execution.
It doesn’t surprise me one bit that I liked this record as much as I did. PHASMA features in its ranks Jason Athanasiadis of black metal band KAWIR (Guitars and songwriting), Luis Ferre from the band GRAVECARVER (Vocals and lyrics), and Bill Nanos hailing from the ever-godly DEAD CONGREGATION on drums.
“Purgatory” stands out because it doesn’t sound like a lot of other bands in the genre of death metal. The way this band blends the black and death metal genre together is impressive. “Purgatory” is everything metal should be – loud, abrasive, and punishing. Go to Bandcamp and stream this record asap, it’s guaranteed to bash you in the face and tell you to fuck off afterwards.
4/5 Stars
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