Phantoms Of Future | Forever Dark | Massacre Records

Release Date: 5 December 2025

Format: Album

Genre: Dark Rock, Gothic Rock

Country: Germany

Phantoms Of Future grew through the 90s with their smoky mix of rock, gothic atmosphere and electronic shimmer. They played hundreds of shows, shared stages with some heavy names and slipped into club charts with “SUN”. After a long silence, they step out again with “Forever Dark”. The familiar crew is intact, with Sir Hannes Smith leading vocals and lyrics, backed by Olaf Oebels, Peter Stein, Viva and Anselm Tripptrap. Their return has the same twilight edge that made them stand out decades ago.

“Forever Dark” presents a band that knows its terrain. The album uses electronics as glowing signals in the background, while guitars and vocals carve out the emotional frame. There is a steady nighttime electricity woven into these tracks, matching their long tradition of shadow heavy imagery. The production by Jörg Uken, together with Smith, keeps the sound clear and stable. The album holds a smooth pacing and moves through its thirteen tracks without drifting or dragging.

The band shapes stories about hunger, longing, city nights and stubborn hope. Songs like “Werewolf”, “Forever Dark” and “I Don’t Believe You” push ahead with a clear sense of direction, mixing melodic lines with darker textures. Vocals carry the storytelling with direct phrasing, and the electronics sit alongside the guitars without getting in the way. The rhythm section adds grounding, giving the songs a pulsing movement suited to their neon lit character. The atmosphere stays firm across the album, matching the visual design by Gee and LividDeath.

As a comeback album, “Forever Dark” works well. Phantoms Of Future holds on to their shadow rich identity and bring forward a sound that suits their legacy. It might not strike hard at every corner, still it keeps a steady voice. Fans of atmospheric gothic rock with electronic touches will find this album easy to follow and capable of pulling them back for another spin.

Score: 6.5

Phantoms Of Future:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Phantoms-Of-Future-100064817073111/