[Review] Phantom Spell – Immortal’s Requiem

Phantom Spell is the brainchild of Kyle McNeill, a new project that combines the classic sounds of Metal with those of Progressive. The debut album “Immortal’s Requiem” was released on August 19, 2022 via Wizard Tower Records and contains 6 medium-long tracks, with a retro imprint. The title track “Immortal’s Requiem” opens the album, the shortest in duration, characterized by an intro with effects and a warm and expressive vocal that immediately stands out. A background of orchestrations and the guitar in the finale lead us to the next track “Dawn Of Mind” which is the longest. A solid rhythm session and the guitar riffs that intertwine with the keyboards, with the vocal that stands out, a real added value. The band’s sound is a blend of early Heavy Metal with Prog inserts, enriched by tempo changes, accelerated and the classic ride that takes us back to the 80s. In the central part the keyboards offer an interesting solo insert, and the sound moves towards the Progressive in the second part with a valuable instrumental section with the guitar and keyboards that duet. “Seven Sided Mirror” is an explosive blend of Progressives and Heavy sounds driven by keyboards, while in the sung stanzas it becomes more melodic. Enriched with v-tempo changes and more elaborate passages, this track incorporates more Prog elements, mixed with harsh guitar riffs. In the second part an acceleration brings us back to the Metal rides, with a good instrumental section with an intense guitar solo. Granitic guitar riffs open “Up The Tower” with a tight rhythmic and sonority that returns to a more Heavy Metal context with a dynamic and expressive vocal. Energetic and engaging, with good guitar works that alternate with the sung parts accompanying us for the duration of this pleasant piece. An intro with Baroque-style keyboards and a sound with strong references to ’70s Prog open “Black Spire Curse” managing to bring the atmosphere of the time into a modern context. Excellent textures and intertwining of keyboard and guitar that offer prolonged solos throughout the first part. In the second part the sounds become more Heavy with granite guitar riffs that alternate with softer openings and keyboard inserts. The album ends with “Blood Becomes Sand” which opens slowly with guitar and keyboards and a softer sound on which a warm and high level vocal is inserted. The intensity increases with the passing of the minutes, recalling the slower tracks of Rainbow, while in the central part they develop the song with Iron Maiden guitar works. The rhythmic session accelerates and proposes the classic Metal ride on which the guitar inserts the solo parts, concluding in a very co-involving musical crescendo. An interesting project that manages to combine the traditional sounds of Heavy Metal with those of Prog, proposing an original album with very intense passages. The guitar intertwines well with the keyboards and the rhythm session is solid and with the accelerated classics of retro Metal. The vocal is an added value, very warm and expressive, interpreting the lyrics with intensity and alternating well with the instrumental sections. A listening recommended for both lovers of Metal and Prog sounds, managing to combine elements of both genres with their own personal touch.

Tracklist

01. Immortal’s Requiem (02:42)
02. Dawn Of Mind (08:29)
03. Seven Sided Mirror (04:45)
04. Up The Tower (04:01)
05. Black Spire Curse (04:22)
06. Blood Becomes Sand (07:37)

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