Norwegian/Greek powerhouse CHONTARAZ resurface from the depths of their origins in Hell (Norway), igniting anticipation among fans of dark, dynamic music with their eagerly anticipated return. Their upcoming third album Phantom of Reality (Release: May 9, 2025) once again transports listeners into the distinctive universe of CHONTARAZ, delivering an immersive and captivating journey through their modern soundscapes and atmospheric storytelling.
Exploring the theme of authenticity, the album delves into the journey of embracing one’s true self while rejecting superficiality. Combining dark modern metal and industrial elements, CHONTARAZ masterfully blend intense energy with deep lyrical narratives, ensuring that Phantom of Reality resonates with fans on both a musical and emotional level.
During the production of Phantom of Reality, CHONTARAZ found both a new producer and drummer in the exceptionally talented Fotis Benardo — a seasoned musician renowned for his extreme drumming prowess, even gracing the cover of Sick Drummer Magazine. With his visionary approach to metal, Fotis has cemented his reputation through thunderous work with Septicflesh (for whom he wrote some of their most iconic tracks), Sakis Tolis, and other powerhouse projects.
Working together in his studio in Athens, the chemistry between the musicians was immediate and undeniable, leading Fotis (aka Narwhal) to join CHONTARAZ full-time. The result? A game-changing metal collaboration that showcases a groundbreaking fusion of songwriting mastery, elite musicianship, and world-class production — delivering an album that redefines modern metal.
Fotis Benardo’s dual mastery as producer and drummer shaped the sonic landscape of Phantom of Reality, delivering an immersive and crushing soundscape that elevates every track. All this is seamlessly combined with the songwriting brilliance of Ahkon (Herbjørn Anglen) and Chontaraz (Frode Kvarsnes), who together have co-written all the tracks, blending Ahkon’s guitar and bass mastery with Chontaraz’s spellbinding vocal delivery. The result is a sonic explosion: a powerful blend of dark modern metal with industrial elements, seamlessly merged with Fotis' precision and sonic vision. The album achieves a sound that is both raw and refined, brutal and beautiful.
Phantom of Reality also features:
Sakis Tolis (Rotting Christ) as guest vocalist on SCREAM (single release: February 28, 2025)
George Nerantzis, responsible for keys and industrial add-ons on all tracks
Kjetil “DeadBit” Lindløkken on additional keys for Spin The Wheel, Prayer To The Masses, and Dressed To Kill
Noxaerias (Kostas Mexis) on bass for live performances and music videos
The collaborations result in a fusion of top-tier musicianship, visionary songwriting, and elite production, propelling CHONTARAZ into uncharted territory. With Ahkon and Chontaraz driving the creative vision through their joint songwriting efforts, and Fotis Benardo shaping the sound and rhythm, this is metal at its absolute peak. Brace yourself!
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About CHONTARAZ
Originally hailing from Hell, Norway, CHONTARAZ emerged in 2015 with a bold vision: to create music they truly loved, free from stylistic limitations, and to deliver it with theatrical live shows, signature makeup, and captivating lyrical storytelling.
Their debut album Rondamauh was crafted alongside legendary producer Daniel Bergstrand (known for his work with In Flames, Meshuggah, Dimmu Borgir, Devin Townsend), receiving widespread acclaim from heavyweights like Sweden Rock Magazine, Metal Observer, and Scream Magazine. It was also voted third-best international album of 2017 by Quebec-Metal and personally recommended by Kamelot’s Thomas Youngblood.
In 2019, CHONTARAZ premiered their second album Speed The Bullet during 70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise.
Produced in collaboration with George Nerantzis, the album received outstanding reviews and propelled them to tour with iconic bands like Sepultura and Soulfly, and to play as support for Kamelot and Cyhra.
With their third album, Phantom of Reality (Release: May 9, 2025), CHONTARAZ have ultimately transformed into a true Norwegian-Greek powerhouse, blending the dark rawness of Norwegian metal with the technological precision and industrial intensity brought by their newest member and producer Fotis Benardo.
Known for his visionary drumming and production skills, Fotis (aka Narwhal) has redefined the band’s sonic landscape, ensuring an immersive, crushing sound that elevates every track.
This collaboration merges Ahkon’s (Herbjørn Anglen) guitar and bass mastery, Chontaraz’s (Frode Kvarsnes) spellbinding vocals, and Fotis’ precision drumming and production expertise, creating a dark modern metal groove bomb infused with industrial elements. Together, Ahkon and Chontaraz have co-written all the tracks, ensuring a unique fusion of heavy riffs, melodic finesse, and haunting atmospheres. CHONTARAZ delivers a truly unique soundscape, uniting the ferocity of heavy metal and the intensity of black metal with the mechanical pulse of industrial and the edge of modern metal. The result is a sonic explosion that pushes boundaries and crafts a musical landscape where chaos and order strike a perfect balance.
This Norwegian-Greek metal juggernaut stands out with a blend of brutal power and melodic depth, featuring massive riffs layered with electronic textures and post-apocalyptic atmospheres. Their music fills a gap in today’s metal market, venturing into dark territories where others hesitate to tread. For CHONTARAZ, it’s not just about playing music — it’s about delivering an immersive experience.
With intense vocals, crushing guitars, and hypnotic rhythms, they invite listeners into their universe, creating a sound that is both hard-hitting and deeply emotional. Phantom of Reality is not merely an album; it’s a musical journey where rawness meets technology, passion meets darkness, and where hope and despair collide.
Prepare for an unparalleled metal experience. This is CHONTARAZ — not merely a band, but a force that is ready to reshape modern metal.
CHONTARAZ online:
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