ALBUM REVIEW: Phantom : : Phoenix – Stellar Circuits

Since their debut release in 2015, California’s STELLAR CIRCUITS have been studiously working away, building their way up the ranks. 2024 was a particularly fruitful year for the quartet, embarking on an extensive European run in support of PERSEFONE as well as an appearance at Prognosis Festival. Hoping to capitalise on this momentum their follow-up to 2023’s highly regarded Sight To Sound album, Phantom :: Phoenix, is poised to propel them to new heights.

I See Your Spirit begins in rather chaotic fashion. Punchy hooks provide a groovy bite alongside the caustic screams. As the track progresses, anthemic melodies are injected into the mix. Quite the emphatic opener! Queen Mary introduces some slick riff sequences alongside ebbing and flowing vocal work. Soothing swathes slot into the energetic arrangement. Silhouette possessess an alluring pacing. Peaceful, emotive tones sit aloft the clever instrumental layering.

Elegant Illusion chops up a variety of genres and throws them into a pot. The result is a colourful series of transitions to keep you guessing. Snappy drum beats enhance the unpredictable structure. The War Within provides a tense introductory segment before diving into an addictive rhythm. The heavier selection of notes brings an interesting contrast to some of its predecessors. Bury The Ashes continues utilising the aggressive edge as hefty riffing and intense vocal bursts trade places with impassioned melodic stylings. Corridor is a dreamy little number, shimmering synths excel as proficient bass lines neatly weave in and out of the spotlight.

Gloria glides gracefully along as you are immersed in waves of vibrant guitar work. Same Page follows a similarly elegant schematic. Energetic flourishes display an alluring charm as the chaos begins to amplify. Paris offers up a mixture of escapism and syncopation to skilfully bring this release to a satisfying close.

STELLAR CIRCUITS are evidently not afraid to experiment and push themselves creatively and Phantom : : Phoenix is a clear indication of their boldness. There are a lot of styles, moods and tones at work throughout this release which still bear a strong sense of cohesion. This approach should hopefully cast their net out to the further reaches and capture a new host of listeners as a result. It will be intriguing to see whether this venture will be as welcomed by their existing fanbase.

Rating: 8/10

Phantom : : Phoenix is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.

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