Phantom Family Halo’s new album dark, courageous

The Phantom Family Halo’s new album is so diabolic and dark that even Glenn Danzig’s skin would crawl after pressing Play. Guitars that slice like razorblades across a throat. Vocals and lyrics that make your bones cold. Hypnotizing subliminal messages. One might wonder if this family is related to the Mansons.

“Monoliths and These Flowers Never Die” isn’t for the weak minded, or even the faint hearted. This courageous album isn’t afraid of social conviction, or, apparently, eternal damnation. This album is experimental, psychedelic rock as it should be – fearless.

Opening with a hauntingly vindictive track, “Blackouts and Runaways” is as captivating as it is terrifying. Guitars that hum like chainsaws sync with the sound of a bass rhythm that will keep you awake at night. If you survive the first track, you will likely know if The Phantom Family Halo is for you or not.

[MP3s, more review, album release & tour info below]

After an opener that is loaded with emotionally disturbed baggage, the album kicks into the pace it excels at – hard and fast, like a slasher film. If a track should slow down, it is filled with intensity and suspense. You can’t turn it off because you have to know what happens next.

Track No. 2, “Sun is Coming,” hits hard with aggression. This track and others, like “Third World War” are comparable to The Black Keys sound on “Magic Potion,” with that raw guitar and drums relationship that is so key in that album. Similar in “Monoliths and These Flowers Never Die,” every instruments feeds of the other, building a dynamic sound that just flows, it wasn’t forced.

Make sure the children are in bed before you make it to “Dec. 2012.” Take heed from Danzig’s personal advice. “Mother, tell your children not to walk my way,” he sang in the famous “Mother.” If you choose to disobey, don’t be surprised if they have nightmares.

But you’re tough. Then “4 Minute Land” approached. Now you’re wondering not only about the women and children, but yourself. “Tell your children not to hear my words,” Danzig continued. “What they mean. What they say.” Now, even you may have nightmares.

While this album is insanely dark and incredibly mysterious, it crosses boundaries that so many psychedelic rock bands fail to ever breach. The Phantom Family Halo appeals to those just looking to get off on a rock album that has never been created before, but will also appeal to conventional rockers whose music remembers when mystery was genuine, and “Led Zeppelin IV” was the threshold of something never before seen.

If Led Zeppelin was into black magic and witchcraft, one could only assume The Phantom Family Halo has traded its soul to the devil himself with the release of “Monoliths and These Flowers Never Die.” This album isn’t just about being different. It is genuinely unique in that the band has approached it with a story to tell, and a sound to accomplish.

The Phantom Family Halo deserve props for keeping the blinders on to what’s hip to the hipsters and being themselves. No matter how screwed up that may be.

Album info and release party date

The album is out on Louisville based labelKarate Body Records

“Monoliths and These Flowers Never Die” album release show is on Nov. 25 in Louisville, Ky. at Zanzabar with Softcheque in Louisville. The band will then tour with Russian Circle and Young Widows (also a Louisville band, now on Temporary Residence).

The Phantom Family Halo – Sun Is Coming

The Phantom Family Halo – Dec. 2012

Tour Dates:

NOV 27 – Detroit MI, Magic Stick
NOV 28 – Buffalo, NY Soundlab
NOV 30 – Milford CT, Daniel Street
DEC 1 – New York NY, Bowery Ballroom
DEC 2 – Cambridge MA, The Middle East
DEC 3 – Washington DC, DC9
DEC 4 – Philadelphia PA, First Unitarian Church
DEC 6 – Montreal QC, Il Motore
DEC 7 – Toronto ON, Lee’s Place
DEC 9 – Kalamazoo MI, The Strut
DEC 10 – Cleveland OH, The Grog Shop
DEC 11 – Louisville KY, Skull Alley