Review PHANTOM CORPORATION “Time and Tide”

Phantom Corporation is a band that was founded in 2016. Although they are a relatively new band, the members are veterans of extreme metal. These five guys started unleashing raw metal in 2016 with the first EP, “First Commandment,” and have roots in Dew-Scented, Eroded, BK 49, and Weak Aside.

Their full-length studio debut followed in 2023. “Fallout” is an album that is a cornerstone in the band’s career and a continuation of the journey begun with “First Commandment.”

Death- and thrash metal serve as the foundation for Phantom Corporation’s music, presented with a punk attitude.

“Time and Tide” features eleven songs that are the exact opposite of the Christmas carols currently being played on the radio. The opener, “Frantic Disruption,” makes it clear that this album is about raging metal. It’s a crushing start to the album, with no moments of retreat or recovery. The massive riff power that defines “Dead of Night” continues throughout the album. Although “Crushed” starts off a bit calmer, it’s just a short intermezzo before the song gains speed.

“Time and Tide” is an aggressive metal release, with frontman Leif barking out his vocals as if there were no tomorrow. Philipp and Arne generate immense riffs, and the rhythm section is not to be forgotten. Ulf and Marc provide the workhorse power that gives songs like “To the Hilt” the necessary punch.

With “Krokodil,” the new album contains a song with a German title. The less-than-two-minute blast is also the shortest song on the album, finding its counterpart in “Western Apocalypse.” The latter is the epic finale of this album and shows that Phantom Corporation can create songs with a running time of more than five minutes that still provide enough twists and details to entertain fans of death crust.

“Time and Tide” is Phantom Corporation’s highly anticipated next step. This five-piece band presents an album bursting with energy and raw power. It has sharp edges and is a furious riff inferno – a musical wrecking ball that hits listeners right in the face. At the same time, the band not only relies on sheer aggressiveness, but also incorporates smart breaks and twists, demonstrating that extreme metal encompasses more than just brutality and speed.