CHONTARAZ hailing from Trondheim, Norway were formed in 2016. The Heavy Metal outfit release their third full-length album. “Phantom Of Reality” was mixed by Fotis Benardo (ROTTING CHRIST; SEPTICFLESH; THE SILENT RAGE) and mastered by Jens Bogren (AMON AMARTH; ARCH ENEMY; KREATOR). The album has a length of about 42 minutes, and it was released via German Power, Thrash, and progressive Metal specialists SAOL. The album starts with the orientally inspired track “Istanbul”. The guitar riffing is very powerful at mid-tempo and the track is driven by the melodies and their Arabian vibes. The vocals are growls, which range between the medium to the higher end of the guttural range. The break leads to a contributing lead guitar solo, which gives the track an additional layer as it breaks out from the overall oriental melodic framework. “Istanbul” is a strong opening track, also because of its simplicity and catchiness. “Prayer To The Masses” continues with the vibes and the initial guitar riffing. The track develops quickly into verse parts with a measured tempo, driven by strong basslines. The vocals are a mixture of clean vocals (verse) and harsh vocals (chorus). The melodies are catchy and there are hardly any changes in tempo and rhythm. Kjetil Lindlokken played the keyboards for this one and a few other album songs.  “You’re The One To Blame” goes with thunderous guitar riffs right into the verse part at mid-tempo. The vocals are again the higher pitched growls, and the vocals follow the melodies. It is a track with a few industrial inspirations and with many effects added to it. “You’re The One To Blame” also stays with the same tempo without any twists and turns. The title track slows a bit down to a measured tempo with direct and simple guitar riffs. The vocals sound different as they are much deeper compared to the previous tracks. The melodies are darker than during most tracks on the album. There is a short mid-tempo break but without lead guitar solo. “Phantom Of Reality” provides a slight change in sound, and this comes at the right time.

The industrial vibes continue with “The Flick Of Time”. The guitar riffing is powerful and accompanied by the keyboards and crunching baselines at a measured tempo. The verse parts are driven by the bass, keyboards, and vocals, which are again the higher pitched growls. The guitar riffing drives mainly the chorus parts. There are a few subtle twists towards mid-tempo. Altogether, “The Flick Of Time” is a very simple and direct track and that is its strength. “Scream” starts with the main riff and the growling vocals at a measured tempo. The melodies are grim, in particular during the chorus parts. The choruses follow catchy and Gothic inspired melodies with notable keyboard contributions of George Neranztis (ROTTING CHRIST). There is also a guest vocal contribution of Sakis Tolis (ROTTING CHRIST) during the choruses. It is no surprise, that “Scream” was released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below. “Face The Fake” starts with the guitar riffs accompanied by the keyboards and both provide an industrial sound at mid-tempo. There are a few tempo and rhythm changes throughout the track with a few short fast episodes, linking the choruses with the verse parts. There is a short break during the track, however, that does not contribute a lot as it takes away aggression and dynamics from the song. “Spin The Wheel” is another catchy track at a measured tempo and a somehow sluggish rhythm. The song has Gothic vibes written all over it, in particular during the chorus parts. The choruses come with clean backing vocal support. The break is one of the track highlights with very contributing solos.

“Nail” starts with an extended keyboard and guitar part, leading into a verse part at a measured tempo with thunderous guitar riffing. The bridges and the chorus parts are almost anthemic and the follow the same tempo and rhythm. The verse parts start with the bass and the clean vocals, providing a slight Gothic feel once again. “Dressed To Kill” switches the sound slightly once again, away from the Gothic vibes towards an industrial sound, where the vocals provide additionally a lot of Grooves. It is a mid-tempo track throughout with no changes in tempo or rhythm. That is actually the whole story of the song, which cannot quite keep up with most album tracks. “Kingpin” starts with the main guitar riff of the track. It is a powerful start to the final track leading into the verse part. The bridge leading to the chorus slightly increases tempo and the melodies become darker with a few melancholic traces. The chorus part is very simple with a short sing-along chorus line and catchy guitar riffing. Highlight of the track is the contributing lead guitar solo. “Kingpin” is a good way to end the album.

CHONTARAZ deliver a multifaceted Metal album. “Phantom Of Reality” does not follow a traditional Heavy Metal path. The album incorporates many different styles and elements ranging from industrial to Gothic Metal. Many songs have catchy melodies and songs are kept simple with any additional complexity in the song structures. The album is well produced. Heavy Metal fans who like Gothic and industrial twists with a lot of Grooves will like what they hear.