Futuristic power metal from Canada. Yep, they’ve been around for nearly two decades, and in that time Unleash the Archers have moved from unknowns to a band that this year will comfortably slot into a mid-afternoon slot at Bloodstock Open Air.
I’ll admit, I’m not overly familiar with their music, but minutes into opening song Human Era and I’m liking what I hear. I’m partial to a bit of power metal if done well, and if the vocals are as strong as they are here, with Brittney Slayes powerful delivery, then I’m in.
Photo credit: Shimon Karmel
Conceptually crafted in 2021, Phantoma tackles the advance of AI through a story that runs through the album. It follows the protagonist Phantoma, a Phase 4 / Network Tier 0 unit - model A, and the trials of AI gaining sentience on a dystopian near-future planet Earth. Whilst the concept album isn’t always the favoured choice, in this case, the phenomenal playing that rip through the album in the various shapes and styles – we have progressive, modern metal, pop, and traditional heavy metal here, makes it a gripping listening experience.
Focusing on the Sci-Fi and social commentary, Unleash the Archers utilised AI to aid their writing, filming, and production processes for Phantoma. A slippery slope perhaps, but the weaved electronic and synthwave elements that are wrapped through the album do provide an extra layer of depth which is disturbingly impressive.
But move away from the controversy, and what you have here is an album that soars majestically, switching from pummelling heavy metal to symphonic and operatic elements. At times it’s progressive as hell, and yet in other parts, it’s pure power metal, as heard on Ph4/NT0mA which sees the duelling guitar work fly high above the powerful driven drumming. Slayes doesn’t miss a beat, her delivery measured from start to finish. It’s the kind of song that can cross boundaries, appealing to more than the usual power metal fan, and that can only be a good thing.
There is a definite synth element that underpins it all, whether it be some dramatic bursts or more understated layers. However you listen, there’s plenty to indulge in.
From the more traditional metal style of Buried in Code, the early single Green & Glass which rattles along at high level speed, Unleash the Archers paint a bleak environment but with hope always evident.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a ballad, and it’s a biggie. Seven-minutes plus, Give it Up or Give it All allows Slayes to hit the emotional heights, providing variation to the band’s songwriting, whilst it would not be over the top to reference the husky tones of Heart’s Ann Wilson as a comparison.
Phantoma is quite the voyage. I’ll admit, I need to give this album more time to really do it justice. But I’ll content myself with one final track, the majestic Blood Empress, a bittersweet tale that brings this release to a fitting conclusion. With an excellent mix and mastering by Jacob Hansen, and production from lead guitarist and songwriter Andrew Kingsley, Phantoma is another album of which Unleash the Archers can be rightly proud.
Phantoma is released on 10th May on Napalm Records
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