The fact that PANDEMIC, Thrash Metal foursome from Kraków, Poland, formed five years before the pandemic make them either prophets of the new world order or just lucky. Not that there was anything lucky about Covid, but the naming is ironic. With that said there are at least three other active Extreme Metal bands with the same moniker, so I guess it is a popular name. On December 20, 2024 this particular PANDEMIC drop their second full-length album, “Phantoms,” via Dying Victims Productions. It is a total ripper. 

A lot of Thrash Metal bands have a shit ton to say about politics. Coming from Poland, you wouldn’t be surprised if PANDEMIC went the same route . . . but they don’t. At least not too overtly. They veer more to the dark and haunting side of the spectrum. The cover of “Phantoms” depicts a female wraith floating over a cemetery in front of gothic castle against the backdrop of a black and stormy night. Their previous album, “Crooked Mirror,” was equally horror-centric. Nothing wrong with horror. Horror and metal go together like pickup trucks and country music.  

So “Phantoms.” Eight tracks, 38 minutes.  Racing bass, searing riffs, clean vocals. I was tempted to say something about NWOBHM sensibilities, if that means anything to anyone nowadays, but then I bumped into the fifth track, “Santa Muerte,” and I lost all sense of time and genre. The intro and outro say HERBET ALBERT & TIJUANA BRASS, the tremolo says Second Wave Black Metal, the rest of it says 80’s punk and maybe even polka. Riotous, this track.

While “Santa Muerte” tweaked my brain nodes, my all-time favorite track is “Under the Gypsy’s Spell.” Just a massive Blackened Thrash attack.  Also high on my list is “Bane of Brook Hall” featuring Mayheer (vocals) from Polish compatriots, PURSUER.

Altogether, “Phantoms” is a blast. There’s a bit of nod to early Thrash with a Hardcore Punk overlay, but the Blackened element takes it over the top. Poland has had a strong presence in the Metal scene for quite some time and PANDEMIC carries on that fine tradition. Great sophomore album from this lot. PANDEMIC is shaping up for the long game.