Unleash the Archers – Phantoma

Written By: Noam Asulin

Release Date - 10.5.2024

Label - Naplam Records

"Unleash the Archers" have always known how to create albums that are not just "albums", but also tell a story. Concept albums are something the band has been doing for a long time and with great success, like they did with their forth album "Apex" for example.

"Phantoma" is a concept album that deals with today’s hottest topic: "AI". I personally have a problem with themes about AI, futurism, robots, the question whether humanity will be replaced by machines, etc. I will always prefer words that focus on more rational things. According to Brittney Slayes who sings the clean vocals, the band received quite a bit of criticism for choosing to integrate AI into the album creation process and into their video clips. Unlike previous albums, the new album incorporates synthesizers, something that shows the band’s intention to progress to a more modern sound.

The album tells the story of "Phantoma", an AI entity that moves from the world of screens, where everything seems perfect, to the “reality” world that is revealed to her as a lie compared to what she thought.

The album starts with "Human Era", at a relatively slow pace with vivid imagery of a desolate, wind-blown future world, then surges forward into the relentless, high-speed intensity of a power metal stronghold. Brittney is amazing on this album, maybe her best vocals ever. In this song, Phantoma goes out into the world and wants to meet the other side, "humanity". Phantoma feels she deserves more, that she was not meant to be inside a computer, but rather outside with humanity. She feels she can achieve more from her life and searches within herself to understand who she is in the world of humanity. The song slowly picks up a faster tempo and very much reminds me of the band’s previous material. Brittney reaches very impressive heights here. The song has quite a few synthesizers and a wonderful solo. In my opinion it is one of the best songs on the album specially due to the intensity it delivers.

"Ph4/NT0mA" comes right after with a tour de force of intertwined guitar solos and soaring, agile vocals, rooted in traditional heavy and power metal influences.

The song "Buried in Code" continues with fast tempo. It kicks things off with thunderous rhythms and lives a blazing a trail. In this song, Phantoma is ready to leave for a better future. Then the album takes a darker turn on the heavy metal powerhouse "The Collective," where Brittney Slayes’ rich vocals challenge the listener to either join the cause or step aside!.

In the song "Green and Glass", Phantoma discovers that humanity is not what she thought and that it is not perfect, and cracks begin to appear. The solo has a vibe of "Trivium" and indeed Brittney mentioned that they were inspired by them.

In the song "Gods Of Decay", Phantoma tries to save humanity from "the collective", the army of the world she came from, but humanity laughs at her. She realizes that it is not the humanity she used to love, and that there is no one to save. This song shows another changes of style the band decided to make with an upbeat '80s flavor. A more poppy song, slower, softer, but still, in my opinion, one of the best songs on the album. It has a catchy and memorable chorus that made me listen to it again and again. The solo is simply wonderful and boost the song up.

The song "Give It Up Or Give It All" is one of the songs where the band went the furthest from their signature style, with a beautiful anthem ballad. The song starts with keys and continues with arpeggio guitar as the tempo slightly intensifies, when Phantoma discovers that she is alone. Both her world and human's world disappoint her. Everything is different from what she thought. In my opinion, the tempo of the song corresponds with plot where Phantoma needs to understand what she must do, like the quiet before the storm of emotions she is about to feel.

In the moody "Ghosts in the Mist", the war between humanity and machines began, the one Phantoma tried to warn humanity from.

In the soaring and menacing "Seeking Vengeance", Phantoma wants to take revenge on humanity, and she shows no mercy. She shows who she really is and becomes merciless and uninhibited. This song is very reminiscent of "Apex" and "Abyss" and the bass line at the beginning is fantastic, making me wish that the bass playing would have more presence on the mix.

The album ends up with the bittersweet "Blood Empress", where Phantoma understands who she has become. She comes to terms with who she is and even proud of it. The song starts with a distorted AI voice of Brittney as Phantoma says "I’m not a human nor a machine". This song is a kind of catharsis, the climax of the story. In my opinion, this is also one of the best songs on the album, with the pre-chorus being the strongest part.

In summary, I have always loved the band’s concept albums, and "Phantoma" is not exceptional. It seems that a lot of thought has been invested in the album creation process and there is no doubt that Brittney is a great part of the plot and concept. The production is good, the solos are interesting, and the drums are wonderful, but that’s not enough. Brittney said they were influenced by many bands during the creation process and wanted to incorporate a more poppy sound instead of making the same power album again. Although I understand the desire to evolve, I wasn't into it. A fast tempo and a sound that causes endorphins to fill the brain is what I love in this band's style, but it is less evident in this album. Although the change in sound and style, "UTA" fans will surely enjoy this album, but in my opinion it is only a "Good" album that is slightly disappoint me, compared to what the band has released so far.

For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music

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