Phenomy – ‘Syndicate Of Pain’: A concept album

A metal band from Lebanon

I don't know how many times in your life you'll hear or read about a metal band from Lebanon. And when that band is also seriously top-notch, the odds shrink even further. The Phenomy were formed in Beirut in 2014, and before settling in Germany they'd already managed to release two very solid albums, in 2016 and 2018. Initially they sounded closer to traditional thrash, while on their second album they put in more groove, used traditional instruments, and their sound took on an ethnic flavour as well.

Music with plenty of grooves

Four years later, specifically in 2022, they come back with a concept album and a sound closer to modern thrash with even more grooves, a chunkier production, fewer experiments, and a strong whiff of Pantera. The truth is concept albums aren't exactly the norm for this genre, but here Phenomy Phenomy pull off the story of the asylum, the experiments, and the mad scientist running it very nicely indeed.

The album flows with real interest and a strong sense of variety. There are shifts in rhythm so the listener never gets bored, while an atmosphere is also built that backs up the album's concept. The "The Mute, The Deaf, The Blind" has got hit written all over it, while "Lead Me To My Throne" is also of particular interest, and for it an animated video clip has been released too. Also worth mentioning is "Beyond The Wall Of Sleep", a 9-minute, largely instrumental track that easily wins the bet on its own length.

In conclusion

"Syndicate Of Pain" is by far the most mature album by Phenomy Phenomy and finds them capable of playing in the big leagues. It's been released on digi cd by the band themselves, and if you're a fan especially of the American post-90s metal sound, you should definitely give it a listen.