PHAZM perform an interesting combination of black metal and classic thrash with a tiny bit of rock n' roll swagger thrown in on their second full release. At times, these frenchies show off the same polished aggression of early TYPE O NEGATIVE. Songs like "Hunger," with its relentless blast-beats, and the droning heaviness of "So White, So Blue, So Cold" create a false sense of familiarity, but PHAZM keep things interesting. How many records of this type can you name that open with a harmonica solo? Not many. But the innovations don't end there...

Some jazzy guitar licks and creepy sound effects prevent "Damballah" from being mired its spoken-word silliness. The slide guitar makes an appearance in the surprisingly bouncy and upbeat "Mr. Toodling." It's little touches like this that keep PHAZM away from the many clichés that might hinder a band of their sound. The harmonica reappears to during the moody, slow instrumental "Lorelindorenan" to give it that extra layer of creepiness.

Vocalist Pierrick Valence is a typical cookie monster-type, so if you're not a fan of that style of singing, you won't likely make it through the twelve tracks that make up this disc. However, if you are the adventurous sort of metalhead, "Antebellum Death 'n Roll" will have just enough inventive songs and performances to make a PHAZM phan out of you.

- Broadbent

OFFICIAL SITE: www.truephazm.com

RELATED ITEMS: PHAZM - "Hate at First Seed", 2005