Phantasm (band)
Encyclopedia
Phantasm was an American thrash metal
band based in Los Angeles
, California
and active from 1986–1988. Something of a supergroup
, the band is notable for including bassist Ron McGovney
, the original bassist in the highly successful heavy metal
band Metallica
, as well as Hirax
singer Katon W. De Pena and veteran drummer Gene Hoglan
.
, played on their Wreckage demo cassette, the group's only studio recording. Teenage drummer Jim Korthe
joined the group thereafter.
Musically, the band played fast, 1980s-styled thrash with hardcore punk
influence. The strength of their individual reputations outside of Phantasm helped fuel minor success for the short-lived band. They toured with Nuclear Assault
and played with other noted thrash metal peers, but dissolved in 1988 due to internal tension. The group failed to record a proper album.
DePena ceased his musical career for a period shortly after Phantasm's demise, but later reformed Hirax. Hoglan remained very active, playing with such groups as Death, Opeth
and Fear Factory
. McGovney ended his activity in music and later relocated to North Carolina
. Nicholson began the instrumental metal project Skull Pie, while Korthe went on to lead the nu metal
groups Dimestore Hoods and 3rd Strike
.
Despite the dearth of studio recordings, thrash label Deep Six Records released the Wreckage album in 2001, packaging a remastered version of the group's demo with a live set from 1987.
In 2007, the band established a MySpace
page, complete with new, instrumental recordings of vintage Phantasm songs performed by Nicholson. McGovney also contributed to the page, and the band expressed interest in reforming with a retooled lineup, but a reunion beyond Nicholson's recordings failed to materialize.
Korthe died in January 2010 of causes stemming from respiratory problems.
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band based in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and active from 1986–1988. Something of a supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
, the band is notable for including bassist Ron McGovney
Ron McGovney
Ron McGovney is a former American musician, best known as the original bassist in the heavy metal band Metallica.-Leather Charm and Metallica:...
, the original bassist in the highly successful heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, as well as Hirax
Hirax
Hirax is an American thrash metal band from Cypress, California. Starting in 1984 under the leadership of vocalist Katon W. De Pena , the band played in Los Angeles and San Francisco with the other new thrash metal bands of the area such as Metallica, Exodus, and Slayer...
singer Katon W. De Pena and veteran drummer Gene Hoglan
Gene Hoglan
Eugene "Gene" Victor Hoglan II is an American drummer. He is acclaimed for his creativity in drum arrangements, including usage of odd devices for percussion effects and his trademark lengthy double-kick drum rhythms...
.
Career
In 1986, DePena convinced McGovney to return to performing music after a four year hiatus following his departure from Metallica, and the two formed Phantasm with young guitarist Rodney Nicholson. Drummer Johny Tabares, also of Hirax, and guitarist Carlos Guacio completed their initial lineup. Nathan Williams replaced Guiaco in 1987, and Hoglan, then of Dark AngelDark Angel (band)
Dark Angel was an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Their over-the-top style earned them the nickname "the L.A...
, played on their Wreckage demo cassette, the group's only studio recording. Teenage drummer Jim Korthe
Jim Korthe
Jim Korthe was an American heavy metal musician. He was a drummer in the 1980s thrash metal band Phantasm and later fronted the nu metal band 3rd Strike.-Life and musical career:...
joined the group thereafter.
Musically, the band played fast, 1980s-styled thrash with hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
influence. The strength of their individual reputations outside of Phantasm helped fuel minor success for the short-lived band. They toured with Nuclear Assault
Nuclear Assault
Nuclear Assault is an American thrash metal/crossover thrash band formed in 1984.-History:After the release of Anthrax's debut album Fistful of Metal, bass player Danny Lilker, a founding member of the group, was fired by the band...
and played with other noted thrash metal peers, but dissolved in 1988 due to internal tension. The group failed to record a proper album.
DePena ceased his musical career for a period shortly after Phantasm's demise, but later reformed Hirax. Hoglan remained very active, playing with such groups as Death, Opeth
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's driving force throughout the years...
and Fear Factory
Fear Factory
Fear Factory is an American industrial metal band. Formed in 1989, they have released seven full-length albums and a number of singles and remixes. Over the course of their career they have evolved from a succession of styles, as well as steadily pioneered a combination of the styles death metal,...
. McGovney ended his activity in music and later relocated to North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. Nicholson began the instrumental metal project Skull Pie, while Korthe went on to lead the nu metal
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
groups Dimestore Hoods and 3rd Strike
3rd Strike
3rd Strike was a nu metal group, started by Jim Korthe , Todd Deguchi , Erik Carlsson , PJ McMullan and Gabe Hammersmith . Their lyrics were primarily based upon the former lives of the group's members...
.
Despite the dearth of studio recordings, thrash label Deep Six Records released the Wreckage album in 2001, packaging a remastered version of the group's demo with a live set from 1987.
In 2007, the band established a MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page, complete with new, instrumental recordings of vintage Phantasm songs performed by Nicholson. McGovney also contributed to the page, and the band expressed interest in reforming with a retooled lineup, but a reunion beyond Nicholson's recordings failed to materialize.
Korthe died in January 2010 of causes stemming from respiratory problems.
External links
- Phantasm at Encyclopedia Metallum
- Phantasm at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....