Phantom Hound - From Boom Town to Ghost Town

 

Phantom Hound - From Boom Town to Ghost Town
Glory or Death Records – 2024
Rock, Metal, Doom, Stoner, Blues, Grunge, Psych, Sludge
Rated:

Originally formed in 2013 as Hound, the band released an E.P. ‘The Ether’ in 2016 and after a name change in 2018 the Oakland trio self-released their debut album ‘Mountain Pass’ in 2020. We all lived through and remember what happened in 2020, the worldwide pandemic saw that Phantom Hound were stopped short of their goals with the album as fear set in and lock downs became standard practice. It was a difficult time, the pandemic, social injustices, civil unrest, financial crises, and the blazing infernos that lit up the West Coast led to a mass exodus of people from the band’s location and hometown. With great tragedies come great inspiration, as the world shut down the band experimented, hashing out what would be the beginnings of ‘From Boom Town to Ghost Town’.

One such experiment from these early sessions is the mostly instrumental ‘Eyes Upon Riches’, it starts with the sound of shovels and picks hitting gravel and rock, a story from California’s past. The album conceptualizes the idea of what once was, is again, history repeating itself, the similarities between past and present. California saw a huge influx of prospectors during the Gold Rush, but all good things must end and eventually the gold dried up, similarly the state was booming pre-pandemic before things grinded to a halt and went bust. Musically the track sees the band experimenting with sounds during the lockdown, including new amps, synthesizers, delays, and it also contains an excerpt from a poem called "The Prospector" by Robert Service that is spoken on the track. The song has become a staple set opener for Phantom Hound’s live shows.

‘The Locksmith’ starts off in a stoner rock direction maybe even more stoner-metal with de-tuned guitars and riffs that never wonder too far off course from the main chord structure but damn it’s a thick heavy tone that draws you in. Jake Navarra’s vocals are a highlight, they’re clear and comprehensible yet have a soulful rasp at the back end of them that’s quite unique. The lyrics provide some insight into the stir craziness that the population felt when life was put on hold during the lockdowns, when we were at the mercy of the locksmith. The back half of the track has an extensive lead guitar presence with multiple leads from wah-wah injected segments to more expansive melodic solos.

‘Gold Fever’ is a more rock-oriented track with some grungy undertones, with Stephen Roger’s bass prominent in the mix. I really like how the second verse cuts the guitar out and it’s just the bass and drums building up again towards the chorus and it’s a nice touch on the second half of the verses to have the layered vocal parts. The lyrics not only refer to greedy politicians and the greed that can overtake people of power but also coincide with the theme of the Gold Rush and the thirst for more. Gotta dig, gotta dig again!

I would consider ‘Claims and Prospects’ the sister song to the previous one, but with even more of a grunge presence. The power chords and drums have a grungy Nirvana sound to them, while there are Layne Staley characteristics within the vocals. The lyrical theme of greed continues, though this time more specifically about people and institutions of power who seek to take your claim and make it their own. For those that have seen the music video, Phantom Hound takes a comedic approach of the idea with Uncle Sam wanting his piece of the pie. Born free and taxed to death is the old saying.

The title track ‘From Boom Town to Ghost Town’ is a song of sorrowful goodbyes in the sense of having to leave behind something or somewhere near and dear to your heart. Within those fearful farewells though there are also new beginnings, as life continues, so do we. The vocal harmonies are excellent in the verses, as are the acoustic guitars, making for one of the most special and memorable tracks of the album.

‘Waterways (The Motherlode)’ is the longest track in duration and probably also for the time spent during the writing period, Phantom Hound worked on it for over a year seeing the band challenging themselves to break out of their shells and create the masterpiece. I remember telling the guys it was my favorite and they also consider it to be the standout on the album. It starts with a slow groove and some bluesy guitar that intensifies to a heavy riff and spoken word before transforming yet again into the stoner-rock realm. Jack Stile’s drums are heavy and precise while transversing the time changes whilst still maintaining his style and I love the tom-fills.

Talk about going out with a bang, ‘Hooch’s Skull’ starts as one of the heaviest, metal inspired, and fastest BPM’s on the album. Even after the tempo slows Jake’s guitar still screams metal with the lead parts towards the latter half of the track. Based off a true story of a Gold Rush legend, the lyrics tell of his ghost still searching for his bones.

As you may be able to tell through my lengthy review, (I’m still just scratching the surface) this is one special album. I feel like it’s approachable and accessible to any and everyone in the heavy underground, there’s something for every itch. I also feel like this will be their breakthrough; Phantom Hound have brought forth an album with an interesting concept that avoids tired lyrical themes that plague others. With a fresh take musically as well, ‘From Boom Town to Ghost Town’ achieves something heartfelt, of substance, and completely genuine.

(Written by Jon McGough)

Homepage

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Glory Or Death Records

Glory or Death Records Bandcamp