{"id":106132,"date":"2026-06-20T00:00:48","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T23:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/?p=106132"},"modified":"2026-07-03T12:03:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T11:03:56","slug":"album-review-phantom-star-phantom-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/album-review-phantom-star-phantom-star\/","title":{"rendered":"PHANTOM STAR – Phantom Star (2026) | Album \/ EP Reviews @ Metal Forces Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHANTOM STAR
\nPhantom Star<\/strong><\/span>
\n\"\"
\nClassic Metal (2026)<\/span>
\nRating: 7.5\/10<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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There\u2019s another new name on the block and it\u2019s Phantom Star, who provide a healthy slice of heavy metal heaven from Brazil. Brimming with genuine buoyancy, this debut full-length slab is a slightly progressive metal platter which arcs towards twinges of Queensr\u00ffche.<\/p>\n

Phantom Star is not the heaviest band you\u2019ll hear. As the album reveals itself with the catchy \u2018Witch Hunt\u2019 the lack of punch, particularly in the vocals, is immediately evident. Even so, the combo are adept at crafting extremely hooky heavy rock numbers that at times sound like a lightweight Savatage mixed with Scorpions, steadier Accept and a British grit.<\/p>\n

The evidence of the band\u2019s ability to write memorable compositions comes via the mid-paced and subtly majestic \u2018I Am The Storm\u2019. It encompasses the band\u2019s warmth and eye for a melody as the guitars fluidly leak their electricity in rather comfortable and understated fashion. Yes, this is a modest metal album but one which sizzles with an undertone of nostalgic magic.<\/p>\n

A number of cuts are laced with rich keyboards as layers of Gothic steel provide extra cold precision, Phantom Star nodding towards Crimson Glory mixed with a Tony Martin era shade of Black Sabbath<\/a>. Vocalist Matheus Luciano is not necessarily a commanding presence but he does enough to entice you in to Phantom Star\u2019s tapestry of tales, including the exquisite slow burn of \u2018Time\u2019 with its moody narration, and the heavier flow of \u2018Orpheus Quest\u2019.<\/p>\n

Upon first listen the record seems simplistic, but peel back its layers and you\u2019ll discover an underlay of complexity as the band curiously explores cosmic backdrops and landscapes of distant fires with nods towards a Virgin Steele strategy. As songs such as \u2018Touch Of A Curse\u2019 and \u2018Chalice Of Lies\u2019 spread their wings, Phantom Star reminds me of underrated Dutch clan Picture, but dotted throughout I spotted varying shades ranging from King Diamond and Fates Warning.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d imagine that Phantom Star live would be quite the spectacle, but for now, settle down with this little gem and once again appreciate the power of rock revival.<\/p>\n

Neil Arnold<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PHANTOM STAR Phantom Star Classic Metal (2026) Rating: 7.5\/10 There\u2019s another new name on the block and it\u2019s Phantom Star, who provide a healthy slice of heavy metal heaven from Brazil. Brimming with genuine buoyancy, this debut full-length slab is a slightly progressive metal platter which arcs towards twinges of Queensr\u00ffche. Phantom Star is not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,6036],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-106132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-album-ep-reviews","category-phantom-star"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106132"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":106133,"href":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106132\/revisions\/106133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}