Release Date 26.06.2026
Format CD/LP/Digital
Genre Speed/Thrash Metal
Origin Mexico
Phantom is a speed and thrash metal band from Guadalajara, Mexico, formed with a deep devotion to classic heavy metal, early speed metal aggression and the darker side of the genre. Over the years they have built a reputation in the underground through a series of releases that combined old school intensity with increasingly ambitious songwriting. With their third full-length album, "Not Midnight Yet", the band continues to expand their sound while staying firmly rooted in the traditions that shaped them.
Mexico's Phantom returns with a vengeance, proving they are a force that refuses to compromise. "Not Midnight Yet" represents a savage, lethal strike of pure speed and thrash metal, executing a style that prioritizes blistering aggression and accurate sonic violence. The production handled at Nehtron Studios and mastered at Temple Of Disharmony provides a sharp, slicing guitar tone and a devastating rhythmic foundation. The band utilizes a lethal combination of hyper-speed tempos and more intricate structures, pushing their performance into aggressive territory without abandoning their old-school foundations.
There is no shortage of speed and aggression on "Not Midnight Yet", but the biggest difference this time is how much more varied the songwriting has become. Phantom is still driven by sharp riffs, galloping rhythms and a restless energy, though the album reaches beyond pure velocity. The material shifts between fast attacks, heavier mid-paced sections and more elaborate arrangements, giving the music greater depth without losing its metallic heart. The band sounds hungry to expand their range and that ambition gives the album a stronger identity than many modern speed metal releases.
The guitar work is one of the album's biggest assets. Riffs remain the main weapon, though the arrangements are richer and more layered than before. The songs develop naturally and avoid relying on a single formula. J.C. García delivers a vocal performance that complements the music well, moving comfortably through the album's different shades while maintaining the urgency expected from this style. The rhythm section also deserves credit for providing a powerful foundation throughout the entire release.
Another positive point is the atmosphere. Phantom injects dark themes and occult-flavored imagery into the music without allowing it to become theatrical or distracting. The album balances aggression, melody and structure in a way that gives many songs their own character. Some sections are surprisingly adventurous for a band rooted in old school metal, adding extra dimension to the listening experience and preventing the album from becoming predictable.
At over fifty minutes, "Not Midnight Yet" asks for a significant investment of time, and not every moment reaches the same level. A few passages could have benefited from tighter editing, and the album occasionally stretches ideas longer than necessary. Even so, the quality remains consistently high, and the stronger material easily outweighs those minor shortcomings. Phantom avoids modern trends, delivering an authentic underground metal assault that establishes them as absolute killers in the current scene.
| 8.0
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