Canada’s most exciting metal band, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, recently announced the upcoming release of their game-changing sixth studio album, ‘Phantoma’, out May 10, 2024 via Napalm Records. On this stunning conceptual release, listeners join story protagonist Phantoma, a Phase 4 / Network Tier 0 unit – model A, on an inspiring yet harrowing journey as she traverses the new age of AI on a dystopian, near-future planet Earth.
‘Phantoma’ follows the band’s 2020 breakout album, ‘Abyss’, which won the JUNO Award for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year after debuting at #1 on the US Current Hard Music and Top New Artist charts, and was dubbed by Bandcamp as “a mandatory listen” upon release.
Today, following the release of the wondrous first single, “Green & Glass”, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS are back with an addictive, synth-infused second single, “Ghosts In The Mist”. Blending modern guitar stylings with 80s arena rock vibes, the track boasts one of the album’s most sing-along-worthy choruses and heaviest breakdowns. Check out the track today alongside a high-energy performance video!
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS says about “Ghosts In The Mist”:
“If you saw us at any of the shows we played last year then you might recognize this track! We filmed the music video at Mad With Power Fest, ProgPower USA, and at our show in Montreal, Canada, and it is full of so many friends and familiar faces! We love including these particular festivals in the video because they have both been supporters of ours for a very long time, and we hope we will get to play them again and again as the years go on.
“The track is one of the more synth-heavy songs on the album, but it’s also got some rad death vocals from Grant that you can bang your head to, so we hope there will be a little something for everyone to enjoy here!”
Watch the Official Performance Video for “Ghosts In The Mist”
If you order through the North American Napalm webstore and are physically located in the USA or Canada, you will automatically be entered to win one of two exclusive signed canvas prints of the ‘Phantoma’ album cover art by Dusty Peterson! Also, fans located anywhere who pre-order via any Napalm webstore, IndieMerch or Bandcamp will also be entered to win a ticket to the official ‘Phantoma’ virtual listening party! See the band’s social media accounts for additional information.
‘Phantoma’ Track List:
1. Human Era
2. Ph4/NT0mA
3. Buried In Code
4. The Collective
6. Gods In Decay
7. Give It Up Or Give It All
8. Ghosts In The Mist
9. Seeking Vengeance
10. Blood Empress
Intertwining reality with imagination, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS were inspired to utilize elements of AI during the creation of ‘Phantoma’, in keeping with its innovative theme. Frontwoman and lyricist Brittney Slayes conjured the album’s concept in 2021; before the swarm of pressing commentary surrounding AI began to reach an all-time high. With the band’s one-of-a-kind blend of power metal, traditional heavy metal, modern prog, and pop sensibilities, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS spin a web of sharp musicality, high sci-fi concept, and important social commentary about discovering the brutal truths behind the manufactured sheen of social media posturing.
The band weaved electronic and synthwave elements throughout the album’s 10 colossal anthems, which – in line with its theme – prove much darker and heavier in comparison to the bright positivity of ‘Abyss’. Album opener “Human Era” sets the tone with imagery of a bleak, windswept futurescape that crescendos headlong into the breakneck pace of power metal bastion “Ph4/NT0mA” – a masterwork of dueling guitar solos and vocal acrobatics. Trad-metal influenced “Buried In Code” lights the way with pummeling rhythms before the album’s path turns dark on heavy metal hardened “The Collective”, with Brittney Slayes’ warm tones inviting the listener to ‘join or stand aside’! Hair-raising first single “Green & Glass” unveils the truth before the upbeat 80s flavored “Gods In Decay” and the extraordinary balladic anthem “Give It Up Or Give It All” showcase the varied songwriting prowess of UNLEASH THE ARCHERS’ modern era. A trifecta of concept closers begins with the moody “Ghosts In The Mist”, leading into the soaring yet menacing “Seeking Vengeance” before closing with the bittersweet tale of “Blood Empress”.
Mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen, and with lead guitarist Andrew Kingsley at the helm as both principal songwriter and producer, ‘Phantoma’ is an exciting advancement in UNLEASH THE ARCHERS’ songwriting and storytelling mastery, and a giant leap forward in their towering musical trajectory.
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS will tour across the globe in 2024, with dates already announced in North America, Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
See below for all currently booked tour dates!
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS on tour:
Legions of Metal Festival:
5/03 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies
Australia and New Zealand Headliners:
6/05 – Canberra, AU @ Basement
6/06 – Sydney, AU @ Manning
6/07 – Melbourne, AU @ Croxton
6/08 – Brisbane, AU @ The Zoo
6/09 – Adelaide, AU @ Lion Arts
6/13 – Auckland, NZ @ Galatos
6/14 – Wellington, NZ @ Valhalla
European Festivals:
7/05 – Ballenstedt, DE @ Rock Harz
7/06 – Knislinge, SE @ Time To Rock
7/12 – Visovice, CZ @ Masters Of Rock
7/19 – Laukaa, FI @ John Smith Fest
7/21 – Baile Figa, RO @ Celtic Transylvania
8/02 – Wacken, DE @ Wacken Open Air
8/09 – Villena, ES @ Leyendas Del Rock
8/10 – Walton-On-Trent, UK @ Bloodstock
Supporting POWERWOLF in North America:
8/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Hollywood Palladium
8/31 – Denver, CO @ The Ogden Theatre
9/03 – Chicago, IL @ The Riviera Theatre
9/04 – Cleveland, OH @ The Agora Theatre
9/05 – Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore
9/07 – Tampa, FL @ Jannus Landing
9/08 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
9/09 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
9/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore
9/13 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
9/14 – New York City, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
9/15 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS are:
Brittney Slayes – Vocals
Scott Buchanan – Drums
Grant Truesdell – Guitar, Vocals
Andrew Kingsley – Guitar, Vocals
Nick Miller – Bass
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