PHOBETOR hailing from London, UK were formed in 2018. The melodic Death Metal band released two full-length albums and one EP so far. Their second EP “A Solitary Vigil” was mixed by Ollie Roberts (BORN FOR WAR; PYTHIA) and mastered by Lawrence Mackrory (BLOODBATH; DARKANE; FRANTIC AMBER). It has a length of almost 21 minutes, and it is an independent release. The EP starts with the title track, and it has a frantic but dark beginning with punishing guitar riffs supported by plenty of blast-beats. The melodies are grim, epic, and melancholic in particular during the chorus parts. The tempo switches between fast verse and chorus parts with thunderous breaks in between at a measured tempo. The female vocals are growls varying between the medium and higher end of the guttural range. “A Solitary Vigil” is a very strong opening track and it was released as video, with the YouTube link provided below. “Absence Of Light” offers a short guitar intro, providing the main melody, before it transitions into another fast track with chilling melodies. The verse parts are driven by switching rhythms at a measured tempo with thunderous riffs, supported by the blast-beats and deeper growls. The bridge includes plenty of double-bass drumming, while the chorus parts are played at an insane pace with chilling but melancholic melodies. The vocals are a highlight of the track with their versatility, and they add an extra dimension to it.

“Black Fading Winter” is a very intense and aggressive track, starting with devastating guitar riffs and crushing basslines, leading into fast verse and chorus parts. The guitar riffing is very direct, and the vocals provide an abundance of intensity and aggression. The break slows down the pace to a measured tempo and it includes some atmospheric patterns supported by the blast-beats and blood-freezing melodies. “Black Fading Winter” is one of the EP highlights. “The Vacant World Within Us” starts powerful with thunderous guitar riffs transitioning into a mid-tempo verse part driven by punishing riffs and very intense growls. While the bridge offers an abrupt change towards measured tempo, the chorus parts are played fast and supported by plenty of blast-beats followed by the double-bass drumming. The break delivers a short but contributing lead guitar solo. The EP finishes with “When Mournful Shadows Dwell” and the track starts with a sluggish head-banging rhythm and powerful guitar riffing going into the verse part. The melodies are spine-chilling and that is intensified by the double-bass drumming in between. The vocals are once again very intense and aggressive. It is the most doom-laden track, in particular during the short break, which includes another short lead guitar solo. “When Mournful Shadows Dwell” is not as pummeling as the other tracks, but it provides a good change in sound and is a very good way to end the release.

PHOBETOR deliver arguably their strongest release so far. “A Solitary Vigil” dives deep into the waters of traditional Death Metal with blackened Death Metal twists built upon a grim and sometimes melancholic melodic framework. All tracks are intense and aggressive. This Death Metal sound is kept together expertly by the vocals and Debora Conserva adds an extra layer to each track with her versatility. The EP is well produced. “A Solitary Vigil” is a grim Death Metal assault and is going to be remembered, when “Best of” reviews are written at the end of the year.