Phantomsmasher - Self-Titled

Since I started the month talking about James Plotkin projects, I figured I’d end it with another one. Phantomsmasher is/was his collaboration with DJ Speedranch and drummer Dave Witte (Discordance Axis, Melt Banana, Municipal Waste). It’s a continuation of his Atomsmasher project, which put out one album on Hydra Head. Phantomsmasher’s only output has been a split 7″ with Venetian Snares and a self-titled full-length on Ipecac.

The album isn’t something I’d typically enjoy. With its glitchy digital processing and fairly mild guitar tones, it’s the antithesis of Khanate and Khlyst. But I find this record addictive. It’s full of strange contrasts – pretty, post-rock guitars vs. brutal blastbeats. Twitchy, chopped-up vocals vs. calming electronic tones. In “Halibut Jones,” Plotkin rolls out straight-up twangy Americana, which of course gets digitally brutalized. It’s like Bill Frisell gone grindcore, with Squarepusher and Jan Jelinek fighting over the Pro Tools rig.

Witte is really in love here with his ride and splash cymbals, which combine with the digital sheen for a hell of a lot of high end. The sound gets teeth-gritting at times, yet the laidback melodies smooth things over. This record is like a relationship with someone you love, but who drives you up the wall. You can find it for cheap at Amazon.