Phantom Fire – Return of the Goat

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“Return of the Goat” is the two-track debut EP from PHANTOM FIRE. It was released on May 2, 2021, via Edged Circle Productions ahead of the band’s upcoming debut album, “The Bust of Beelzebub,” which should hit sometime around September this year. The Black Metal duo hails from Bergen, Norway and are joined by session drummer, Iver Sanbøy.

The EP clocks out at just under six minutes, so not a lot of material to cover here. The title track is a simple, straight-forward ‘black and roll’ number that absolutely cranks. At a scant 2:29, it’s pretty much over before you know it. “Mara” has a little more sophistication and longevity to it, with Eld treating us to a bass line that drifts from haunting to driven then back again. I mention this because 1) you can actually hear the bass on this album, which is a rarity with Black Metal and 2) because he’s a helluva bass player. Also, apparently, this song was in part inspired by ARIA’s (APUST) “Play with Fire,” so cool, that.

The two tracks on this EP represent two very different styles of Black Metal, which makes me curious as to what the forthcoming album will be like. The commonality between the tracks is a leaning toward an older brand of metal. The band, in fact, cites a wide variety of metal bands as their influences from YOB to IRON MAIDEN to SLAYER to MASTODON and, as previously noted, the Russian ARIA. Comparing tracks, I have to admit I’m more intrigued by “Mara” than “Return of the Goat” . . . but I do like them both. Definitely looking forward to what September will bring us with a full-length treatment from PHANTOM FIRE.

Songwriting: 8
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 8
Production: 8