Phantasm (metal band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Defunct | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Phantasm was a thrash metal ensemble originating from Los Angeles, active between 1986 and 1988. This notable supergroup included prominent figures such as Ron McGovney, the original bassist for Metallica, vocalist Katon W. De Pena from Hirax, and drummer Gene Hoglan. Although the band did not produce a full-length album during their brief tenure, live recordings and demo tracks were eventually issued in 2001 on the CD titled Wreckage.
History
In 1986, De Pena convinced McGovney to re-enter the music scene after a four-year break following his exit from Metallica. Together, they established Phantasm alongside guitarist Rodney Nicholson and Hirax members Carlos Guacio (guitar) and Johny Tabares (drums). Later that same year, Nathan Williams took over guitar duties from Guacio. Gene Hoglan, then affiliated with Dark Angel, provided drum tracks for the 1987 demo cassette Wreckage, which remains the band's only studio recording. Subsequently, young drummer Jim Korthe joined the lineup.
Phantasm's sound combined rapid thrash metal with elements of hardcore punk. The members’ established reputations helped the band achieve modest recognition, enabling tours with Nuclear Assault and shared performances with contemporaries such as Possessed, Dark Angel, as well as punk groups including Uniform Choice, Dag Nasty, and the Plasmatics. Internal conflicts led to the group disbanding in 1988 before they could finalize a full album.
Post-breakup
Following Phantasm’s dissolution, De Pena temporarily stepped back from music before reviving Hirax. Hoglan continued his prolific career with bands like Death, Testament, Strapping Young Lad, Forbidden, Opeth, and Fear Factory. McGovney withdrew from music once more and moved to North Carolina. Nicholson pursued a solo metal endeavor named Skullpile, working on a debut release. Korthe fronted nu metal acts Dimestore Hoods and 3rd Strike until his death in January 2010 due to respiratory complications.
In 2001, Deep Six Records issued Wreckage, remastering the original demo alongside a live performance from 1987. By 2007, Phantasm launched a MySpace page featuring new instrumental versions of their classic tracks arranged by Nicholson, with contributions from McGovney. Although there was expressed interest in reuniting with fresh members, an official reunion never materialized.
Members
- Katon W. De Pena – vocals (1986–1988)
- Rodney Nicholson – guitar (1986–1988)
- Ron McGovney – bass (1986–1988)
- Carlos Guacio – guitar (1986)
- Nathan Williams – guitar (1986–1988)
- Johny Tabares – drums (1986–1987)
- Gene Hoglan – session drums (1987)
- Jim Korthe – drums (1987–1988; died 2010)
- Timeline
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Colors =
id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass_guitar id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Album value:black legend:Demo_recording
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:1987 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1987
LineData =
layer:back color:Album at:02/01/1987
BarData =
bar:Katon text:"Katon W. De Pena" bar:Rodney text:"Rodney Nicholson" bar:Carlos text:"Carlos Guacio" bar:Nathan text:"Nathan Williams" bar:Ron text:"Ron McGovney" bar:Johny text:"Johny Tabares" bar:Gene text:"Gene Hoglan" bar:Jim text:"Jim Korthe"
PlotData=
width:11 bar:Katon from:06/01/1986 till:end color:Vocals bar:Rodney from:06/01/1986 till:end color:Guitar bar:Carlos from:06/01/1986 till:10/15/1986 color:Guitar bar:Nathan from:10/15/1986 till:end color:Guitar bar:Ron from:06/01/1986 till:end color:Bass bar:Johny from:06/01/1986 till:01/06/1987 color:Drums bar:Gene from:01/06/1987 till:03/01/1987 color:Drums bar:Jim from:03/01/1987 till:end color:Drums
</timeline>
Discography
- Wreckage (demo tape, 1987)
- Wreckage (released in 2001)