Fantom Warior
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | January 1, 1984 in Union, New Jersey, United States |
| Headquarters | Union , United States |
| Products | Music recordings (demo, album, compilation contributions) |
| Website | www |
Fantom Warior is a thrash metal group originating from the United States, formed in 1984 in Union, New Jersey. The band’s roster features John Chernack handling bass and vocals, Keith Pires on guitar and vocals, James Jensen on drums, and Steve Schley on guitar. Drawing inspiration from bands such as Slayer, Metallica, and Anthrax, Fantom Warior independently released both a demo and a full-length album, in addition to contributing to a compilation. Their musical approach fuses hardcore thrash with elements of speedcore, showcasing a level of technical proficiency and intensity that set them apart from many contemporaries.
History
Initially formed in 1984 under the name Phantom Lord in Union, New Jersey, Fantom Warior started as a heavy metal cover band. The founding members were guitarist Keith Pires, drummer James Jensen, bassist John Chernack, guitarist Steve Schley, and vocalist Dave Montini. After cycling through several vocalists, Jason Glicken (also known as Raeph Glicken) gained recognition; he later became a drummer for hardcore punk and black metal outfits such as Kill Your Idols and Black Anvil. By early 1985, to distinguish themselves from another New York-based band named Phantom Lord, the group consisting of Chernack, Pires, Jensen, and Schley adopted the name Fantom Warior. Their debut performance under this new moniker took place in May 1985 in Dover, New Jersey.
In March 1986, the band independently issued a five-track demo tape entitled Morbid Invasion, featuring original compositions. This demo earned acclaim from metal publications throughout the United States and Europe, helping the band cultivate an international following despite limited touring activities. Reviewers highlighted the demo as an exceptional release within the metal community; for example, the UK magazine Metal Forces described it as "essential listening for dedicated metal enthusiasts."
Fantom Warior contributed the song "E.R.C." (Eat the Rotting Corpse) to the compilation album Merlin Music Presents . . . released by Merlin Recording Studios in April 1987.
Their debut album Fantasy or Reality, containing ten tracks, was released in October 1987 on their own Token Records label. Similar to their demo distribution strategy, this album was sold directly by the band via mail order and through independent record stores located in New Jersey and New York.
Prior to widespread internet access, Fantom Warior promoted their music and merchandise through metal magazines and underground fanzines internationally. Their contact details appeared in notable publications such as Metal Forces (UK) and Blackthorne (Netherlands), enabling worldwide distribution of their demo and album. Although they achieved global exposure through these channels, their live performances remained mostly confined to the New Jersey and New York regions, where they frequently shared stages with local metal act Insaniac.
Lacking professional management and major label backing during thrash metal’s decline in the late 1980s posed significant obstacles for unsigned bands like Fantom Warior. Consequently, the group disbanded in 1989.
The band reunited in 2012 and began work on a new album planned for release in late 2015. Since their reunion, Fantom Warior has performed alongside notable bands including Raven, Black Anvil, Exhumer, Malevolent Creation, and Grim Reaper. Highlights include supporting Grim Reaper during their North American tour launch in June 2014 and appearing at Black Anvil’s record release event in July 2014. In late 2014, they issued THE ARCHIVE CD, a remastered collection encompassing all their previous recordings. Additionally, on March 17 (year unspecified), they released a limited edition vinyl pressing of their classic demo Morbid Invasion through Electric Assault Records.
Discography
- Morbid Invasion (demo, 1986)
- Merlin Music Presents... (studio compilation, 1986)
- Fantasy or Reality (full-length album, 1987)
- "Retribution" (single, 2012, It Wont Die Media)
- The Archive (CD featuring the Morbid Invasion demo, Fantasy or Reality LP, plus additional tracks)
- "Morbid Invasion" (vinyl edition, 2015)
- New material scheduled for release (Fall 2015)