Photo Credit: Shimon Karmel
Canada’s most exciting metal band, power metal powerhouse Unleash The Archers, recently announced the upcoming release of their game-changing sixth studio album, Phantoma, out 10th May (Napalm Records).
Following the album's first two singles 'Green & Glass' and 'Ghosts In The Mist', today the Vancouver based five-piece reveal their soaring third single 'Seeking Vengeance', alongside a new video.
Beginning with a fast paced guitar lead and modernised power metal attacks, the song entrances with a powerful chorus and intricate dual solo.
Check out the track now, alongside the video: https://youtu.be/73UDuifWPvg
Pre-order Phantoma here: https://lnk.to/UTA-Phantoma/napalmrecords
On the new concept album, listeners join protagonist Phantoma, a Phase 4 / Network Tier 0 unit -model A, on an inspiring yet harrowing journey as she discovers the brutal truths behind the manufactured sheen of social media posturing on a dystopian, near-future planet Earth. With the band’s one-of-a-kind blend of power metal, traditional heavy metal, modern prog and pop sensibilities, Phantoma spins a web of sharp musicality, high sci-fi concept and important social commentary.
Vocalist Brittney Slayes on 'Seeking Vengeance': "This is the moment in the story when Phantoma comes to terms with what she must do and who she must become in order to do it. We worked really hard to make sure the music reflects the energy of the moment, and I think the video does a great job of portraying the inner struggle as well. This was filmed and edited by the boys at RuneGate Studio and they focused on using lighting and different lenses to create a dynamic visual experience.
"The song is the darkest moment of the album, but it is juxtaposed with an uplifting chorus melody that was actually inspired by classic Disney 'hero anthems'. This one was a unanimous single choice for us and we can't wait to play it live for you all at our upcoming shows! Hope you enjoy."
Phantoma follows the band's 2020 breakout album, Abyss, which won the JUNO Award for
Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year after debuting at #1 on the US Current Hard Music and Top New Artist charts, and was dubbed by Bandcamp as “a mandatory listen” upon release.
Intertwining reality with imagination, Unleash The Archers were inspired to utilise elements of AI during the creation of Phantoma, in keeping with its future-facing theme. Frontwoman and lyricist Brittney Slayes conjured the album's concept in 2021; before the swarm of pressing commentary surrounding AI began to reach an all-time high. With the band’s 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 discovering the brutal truths behind the manufactured sheen of social media posturing.
The band weaved electronic and synthwave elements throughout the album’s 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 crescendoes headlong into the breakneck pace of power metal bastion 'Ph4/NT0mA' - a masterwork of duelling guitar solos and vocal acrobatics. Trad-metal influenced 'Buried In Code' lights the way with pummelling rhythms before the album’s 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 before the upbeat 80s-flavoured 'Gods In Decay' and the extraordinary balladic anthem 'Give It Up Or Give It All' showcase the varied songwriting 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.
Unleash The Archers are:
Brittney Slayes - Vocals
Scott Buchanan - Drums
Grant Truesdell - Guitar, Vocals
Andrew Kingsley - Guitar, Vocals
Nick Miller - Bass
Unleash The Archers online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS
Phantoma track listing:
1. Human Era
2. Ph4/NT0mA
3. Buried In Code
4. The Collective
5. Green & Glass
6. Gods In Decay
7. Give It Up Or Give It All
8. Ghosts In The Mist
9. Seeking Vengeance
10. Blood Empress
