Pandemic - Phantoms - CD

Born from the cold, concrete streets of Krakow, Poland’s PANDEMIC are an old-school thrash/speed metal band that have been a rising force in the underground scene since their formation in 2015. Despite facing a rocky start with frequent lineup changes, a founder's death, and periods of inactivity, PANDEMIC found their footing in 2018 with a solid lineup. Their debut EP, Deaf Nite, dropped in September 2018, serving up four blistering tracks that showcased PANDEMIC's raw power and aggression. Staying true to their roots, they followed up with the single Where The Devil Says Goodnite in 2020, a two-track release. By 2023, the band had finally released their first full-length, Crooked Mirror. PANDEMIC’s relentless pace continued with the recording of their second album, Phantoms, in early 2024. Pushing the boundaries of their sound and further establishing their place in the Polish metal underground, PANDEMIC’s second album should surely spread their name across the international metal map. Neither too conveniently classified as thrash nor as speed metal, Phantoms marries thrashing riffs to a dynamic style of metal that indeed speeds from time to time but, more often than not, has the gleaming contours and drama of paradigmatic ‘80s power-thrash. The deeper one goes into Phantoms, the more he will find PANDEMIC’s mastery spread across differing styles of songcraft; while everything coalesces into a unified album experience, each song here maintains its own unique character rather than simply repeating the same formula for eight-plus tracks. Credit for that comes through each member bringing a distinct pedigree to the table, with guitarist Wiktor Lobarzewski also shredding for GALLOWER, fellow six-stringer Marcin Konieczny laying down the riffs for Roadhog, and drummer Filip Worek beating the skins for Horned Cült. Completed by bassist Gniewko Jelski’s rough and rowdy but articulate vocals, PANDEMIC are the proverbial welloiled machine – with oil of ‘80s vintage, of course! Primed to take that machine further, be it the underground festivals they’ve been tearing up or shows on domestic soil, PANDEMIC hereby unleash Phantoms!