Phantom Elite – ‘Titanium’

This band may only be in their early stages of existence, but thanks to former After Forever main man and veteran songwriter Sander Gommans, once again working with ultra talented Marina La Torraca, we have been given the great gift of Phantom Elite. They return with second album ‘Titanium‘, an epic mix of melody and straight out heavy metal, with a little bit of a djent spliced in to some of the nooks and crannies. There’s a real bounce to the songs with a dose of the symphonic sound we know so well from the likes of Epica and Delain, just to name a few. The atmospheric sounds to accompany the music range from orchestral symphony to juxtaposed robotics and Torraca’s vocals are a great mixture of melodic power and beauty. This sound is BIG. This is heavy metal crafted for battle.

‘Conjure Rain‘ is great way to start this album with a quick pace with a good bouncing groove to get the crowd jumping. Second track and second single from the album ‘The Race‘ is another bouncer, with symphonic choruses to break up the pace. The guitar solo by Max van Esch is incredible, adding just another layer to this track. ‘Diamonds and Dark‘ is suitably heavy and epic and sure to be a live favourite (if we ever get our gigs back).
‘Glass Crown‘ is an accessible pleaser, with hints of that djent sound I had mentioned. It brings to mind the band By The Thousand who I came across last year with their superb 2020 release ‘Dead Matter’.
Title track ‘Titanium‘ is a heavy number, that I would actually compare to The Acacia Strain at its heaviest point, with vocals being given the android treatment before it slows in to a symphonic break before we are reintroduced to the heavy riff that started the track off.
‘Silver Lining‘ has a bit of a straight up heavy metal/nu-metal vibe, again accessible in sound with soaring epic riffs and solos over intricate electronic sound.
Final track ‘Eyes Wide Open‘ starts with a focus on the keyboard sounds with bouncing drums and riffs playing alongside until the verse. Elements of prog squeeze in, giving us a suitable closer.

Phantom Elite have hit their stride with this album. Let’s hope the touring circuits happen soon so we can hear this with our own ears. I’m sure the crowds will be thankful.