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Phantom Black Autobiography:
The group collectively known as Phantom Black formed in 1995 in their home town of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Five childhood friends consisting of two brothers Chase [Vocals] & Duggy Fresh [Guitars] and their brothers-in-arms, Sparx [FX], Hoop Nation [Bass] and Timone [Drums] had been down the beaten path of a few times too many. So the decision was made - unite to achieve a dream.
Phantom Black started out as a Metallica Cover band, but due to the mystic nature of the lead singer, Chase (heavily influenced by The Doors) began to construct their own music that would blend heavy rock with dark, psychedelic overtones. The result, a full-length, debut album fittingly titled, "Flight From Shadow - 2000 AD," that had been released in 1999 with Executive Producer - Larry Park. The album was recorded in Toronto at "Phase One Studios" and was produced by recording, Eric Ratz.
Phantom Black independently promotes their CD over next couple of years by performing at venues across southwestern Ontario and just over the border to the US, in Michigan. Having four singles played on local radio stations K106.3 {Sarnia] and in Chatham on The Rock 104.7, Phantom Black acheives a great notoriety in this time and begins to build a solid and loyal fan following.
The ballad 'Time And Again' wins an internet award in Texas, USA for 'best written song' for 1 month. The single, 'Run' would be selected by Infogrames Software Company from Los Angeles, California (the only Canadian Song on an all-American roster which includes the likes of 'Fuel' by Metallica and music by Fear Factory and The Digital Assassins) jfor the video game 'Test Drive Off Road: Wide Open.' It is one of the best selling gamesfor that year and had been released on three different platforms - Sony PS2, Microsoft Xbox and PC/Mac. The song 'Forbidden' would hold onto its position on GarageBand.com (on international website for independent bands; owned by Bob Rock) for 3 weeks as 'best hard rock song' receiving great reviews from people all over the world.
Phantom Black, who enjoyed modest success from 'Flight From Shadow,' were ready to start their next project - the album, 'Zero Tolerance.' The very sound of Phantom Black would radically alter due to the departure of drummer, Timone, from the band. The band decided to not replace Timone with another 'live' drummer, but to instead, go with a more 'digital' sound via the use of a groovebox and synthesized effects. This decision was also influenced by the overwhelming success of hip-hop which Phantom black personally enjoys listening to. But, Phantom Black didn't just stop there. Again, through the support of Executive Producer - Larry Park, the guys decided to acquire the computer hardware necessary to record and mix the new CD themselves. Again, they did not stop there...
Another decision was made to move the band and their entire gear to the other side of the world in Berlin, Germany and make it the place to finish recording 'Zero Tolerance'. The band wanted greatly to establish their identity on the international scene and also to start making important connections in an attempt to penetrate the growing European market.
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Nine months in Europe would produce a completed 2nd album entitled, 'Phantom Black - Zero Tolerance,' in which the album was recorded and mixed by the band in a very cool, Victorian-style flat in Wedding, a district of West Berlin. The CD was then mastered by Jans Reule at UFO Studios in Berlin. The music is completely independent and sounds as if it were recorded and mixed in a world-class studio. 'Zero Tolerance' can be described as a blend of rock, hip-hop and trance. It's fueled and it's ready to rip!
The lead single off the album, 'Bulletproof', features a hip-hop artist named A. Dizzle from New York City who had been working in Berlin finishing his own project and who was on his way back to the United States to release it. He listened to 'Bulletproof' and had been informed that the song was not completely (lyrically) written and would like to add the missing piece because he lived it so much. He said, "It was the future - hip-hop meets rock in a furios head-on collision!" It would be at this time that an idea for a first video would be born. A. Dizzle asked if he oculd direct it, having had previous experience with his own videos and another artist he had been working with, Angelina (up-and-coming R&B singer from Europe.) The band agreed and the 'Bulletproof' video was shot.
The band also decided to re-engineer two of the songs off the first album, 'Of Sound Mind' and 'Run'. They had different interpretations that needed to be heard. It so happened that 'Run' would turn out better then expected and so another video was shot in a tribute to its accomplishment.
Lastly, if shooting two videos and completing 'Zero Tolerance' wasn't enough, they toured all over Berlin playing in a 1000 person capacity dance club called, 'The Mainstream', as well as playing for over 2000 bikers at the annual 'Toy Run' whose purpose is to raise money and toys for the needy children in Germany, [Phantom Black is always for charity, having done several free shows for organizations in their home town, as well as having jput on their own - The Kosovo Krusade, which with friends and fans raised money for The Red Cross], just to name a couple.
The tour would also continue with a round trip of Ireland to cities like Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Phantom Black loves Ireland and would live to return there one day. A great and friendly country who loves their live rock music and who made Phantom Black feel like true rock stars. Phantom Black would also get to play with bands from Germany, Ireland, England, Spain and France. It was a fantastic experience and it would set the pace for the next chapter of Phantom Black.
At the end of the nine-month trek, Phantom Black has relocated to Toronto, Ontario and has quickly jumped into the House that is predominant in Toronto and quickly spreading as a main music throughout the world. Phantom Black begins to record their new album, 'Guilty By Association', which when all is said and done, will be phenomenal!!
Also, the newest edition to Phantom Black - bass player Matt Wilson!! Good to have you aboard brother!!
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