That's a lot of G-words.

Cover art doesn't really match the sound I know them for.

I just picked up the album (44.1Khz / 24 bit), and it's excellent. Different than their last two but excellent nonetheless. I'd give it at least an 8 after one listen through.

Written by NavyMetal on 29.03.2024 at 19:29

I just picked up the album (44.1Khz / 24 bit), and it's excellent. Different than their last two but excellent nonetheless. I'd give it at least an 8 after one listen through.

This album doesn't come out until May 10th and from my research hasn't been leaked yet either, so you sure you are talking about the right album?

Yup. I pre-ordered it from HDTracks, and they, I think mistakenly, made it available for download. It is an excellent album and grows on you the more you listen. Another great release by UTA. Highly recommended.

Listen to "Give it Up or Give it All." It's a beautifully sung ballad, and they channel Heart. At some points, she sounds a lot like Ann Wilson.

It is a concept album along the lines of robots and AI and achieving consciousness. Pretty much what's been in the news lately.

'Seeking Vengeance' is one of their best songs yet. Brittney's voice is just so majestic and powerful. The chorus is just sonic perfection.

Another stand out track is "Gods in Decay." But, honestly, the whole album is great.

Another good album, not quite up there with Abyss which I loved. I think Seeking Vengeance is still the standout track. Buried in Code is good fun

Songs are little bit weaker, than those that on two previous masterpieces. Performance is exelent, as expected. Recording quality is the best yet! Title track, "Buried In Code", "Gods In Decay" and "Blood Empress" are my favorite for now. Quality, solid album! 8.5/10

Phantoma is not simply a Apex/Abyss regurgitation. It has its own vibe, atmosphere and story. Every song stands out on their own. Yes, you will find classic UTA style of power metal vibes in tracks like "Ph4/NT0 Ma" and "The Collective" , but this album also offers what might be their most intimdate song they ever wrote in the track "Give it Up or Give it All". If you love cheesy 80's ballads you'll love their take on it.

Honestly, some of their best songs on this album are none of the singles and while the chosen singles are very good tracks they are just a taste of what the album offers. Brittney has really found her voice in this album.

So if you were expecting another Apex/Abyss album you might be somewhat dissapointed, but just go into the new album with an open mind understanding its a different story than The Matriarch arc and they intended this album to have its own flavor that made it stand out on its own.

I've been listening to this album for over a month now, and believe me, it is just as good as Abyss. Every track is excellent. It's one of those albums that on first listen I thought it was very good, but upon repeated listens, I think it is great. First impressions can sometimes be off the mark. Spin it a few times and see if your opinion changes. I've got a HUGE collection of digital music, in the range of 1100 albums, and I haven't listened to much else since getting this one over a month ago. Every track is worth the price.

I’m definitely giving it more relistens. It seems like it’ll be a grower and nice palette cleanser album for me too.

Another solid release! Really loving this album.

Probably my second favorite album by them overall. They've been on a roll since Apex.

A bit different from the last two, but still a very strong album

This is good, even long album, more I listen more I like but biggest value is in opening parts of this album.

Very good album. I could say that it is the best power metal work I have heard from 2024 so far. 🔥

Written by Bad English on 13.05.2024 at 15:14

This is good, even long album, more I listen more I like but biggest value is in opening parts of this album.

I find the best part of the album is God's in Decay, Give It Up or Give It All, and Ghosts in the Mist. I particularly like the ballad Give It Up or Give It All. In that track, it reminds me of Nancy Wilson and Heart.

What annoys me about this album is the production and mixing. The drums are so obviously not real, the guitars a bit low in the mix, and the vocals too high for my taste. Those choices make the album sound too clinical, too commercial and lacking heart. But then again I haven’t listened to the whole album front to back.

Written by ForestsAlive on 16.05.2024 at 20:37

What annoys me about this album is the production and mixing. The drums are so obviously not real, the guitars a bit low in the mix, and the vocals too high for my taste. Those choices make the album sound too clinical, too commercial and lacking heart. But then again I haven’t listened to the whole album front to back.

What do you mean the drums are not real? They didn't use a drum machine lol, that is legit Scott playing.

Written by ForestsAlive on 16.05.2024 at 20:37

What annoys me about this album is the production and mixing. The drums are so obviously not real, the guitars a bit low in the mix, and the vocals too high for my taste. Those choices make the album sound too clinical, too commercial and lacking heart. But then again I haven’t listened to the whole album front to back.

Most of the drums in Metal records since 2010's is sampled during mixing. I didn't say they are sampled here - but there is no way to find out by ears.
Overall this modern sound works great with a futuristic themes of album, but I can see why it's not for everybody.

I'm surprised... in a good way.
UtA never really clicked with me but this one is catchy af and perfect summer vibes.

I generally hate power metal but I love this band (literally 1 of 4 pm bands I like), this album, however, is not good. Apex, Abyss, and Time Stands Still are all much better albums imo

Written by RoyBoy432 on 14.02.2024 at 04:05

That's a lot of G-words.

This is a lot worse than G punctuation marks.

Written by chomskeet on 30.05.2024 at 00:55

I generally hate power metal but I love this band (literally 1 of 4 pm bands I like), this album, however, is not good. Apex, Abyss, and Time Stands Still are all much better albums imo

IMHO, this album blows away Time Stands Still, but although different from Apex and Abyss is just as good if not, better.

Disclaimer: I love this band almost unconditionally. But at first, even I was a bit underwhelmed by this effort. After many, many listens, I have changed my mind. I just kept wanting to put it on without realizing it, and a lot of the songs have really grown on me. It is no Apex, but it just doesn't really try to be, and I think that is what I really like about it. They sound as fresh as ever, just in a different way. I do feel that this album is a bit too frontloaded with truly great songs and needed a stronger closer, but overall I am very happy. No one sounds like Slayes, and the band is really tight, although the production is perhaps a bit too hyper-polished. At the end of the day, this is just an excellent summer album with an interesting message about AI and technology behind it. I can't way to scream along to the title track under open skies some fine day in the future.

The first two and the last three songs are really good. But the middle songs are very very bad. I also find a lot of disco influences in this album.