In the early 1990’s heavy metal was taking over on the local Chicago club scene. One of those bands trying to break out was Phantom Reign. While they fought for their place on the local scene, to much surprise what they later discovered was that they were considered providential in the European metal circuit with their release No Hope for the Future. Now, some 30 years later Phantom Reign reigns again as No Hope for the Future has been re-issued.
Phantom Reign initially formed in the late-80’s when guitarist John Splett and guitarist Kevin MacDonald started talking about a song that Kevin had written “Dinosaurs Have Big Feet” which became the springboard to create the band.
Splett had already been working with the band Concussion when he connected with MacDonald. Shortly after they started recruiting members from other local (Grayslake) bands adding vocalist Corey Lowry, bass player Jim Crane from Albatross and drummer Luis Morales from King Swano and the Norwegians; with Kevin moving over from bass to guitar. Phantom Reign began playing in local clubs, primarily as a cover band. Their intent at the time was “just to have as much fun as we could,” says MacDonald.
They started to write more originals and headed into the studio in 1991. A week later they were down laying down six tracks which were released as a DIY self-titled cassette-only release.
By 1993, with more originals in their repertoire, they would head back in the studio to work on a full-length release. “We booked time at a local recording studio for three weeks and started pre-production,” notes MacDonald. That three-week project turned into six months with final mastering done by Eddie Schryer of Future Disc (who would go on to do projects for the likes of Michael Jackson and Tom Petty). And it was literally another year before they would go ahead and produce what became their debut CD release No Hope for the Future. They would shop the project to various metal-focused labels but it seemed they were missed the window of opportunity. So, they would order 1,000 copies to sell themselves. “We got our CDs into a chain of record shops called Rainbow Records.” With their local popularity, the release sold out quickly. Unfortunately, the record store chain went out of business shortly afterward.
After that the band would struggle through some personnel changes. MacDonald would move over to bass when they added guitarist Kevin Stirrat. With three new songs “Never Coming Home,” “Better Way” and “Jekyll and Hide” they would head back into the studio to start working on a new project. But the studio shut down and the songs never got finished.
“Things really turned for Phantom Reign in 2003,” comments MacDonald, “as we entered the Bandemonium Battle-of-the-Bands contest hosted by a local Chicago radio station WIIL 95.1 FM. Out of hundreds of bands we won it all!” He continues, “We thought this was it and we’re going on to the world of rock stardom!” They were awarded a live in-studio performance and garnered a great deal of publicity becoming regulars on the Chicago metal scene playing clubs like the Thirsty Whale and Smiler Coogans and getting concert slots at the Gateway and Rivera theaters.
But by 2005 it looked like the fun had run its course for Phantom Reign. The band members parted ways.
What they didn’t know was while they were unable to break out nationally, they had become international metal stars! “We discovered our CD No Hope for the Future sold for $500 on Ebay,” laughs MacDonald. “Then another for $600.” So MacDonald put one of his own CDs up for sale and was offered $450.
Not understanding the cult status of the band, he asked the buyer, “Why would you spend this much money for one of our CDs?” MacDonald notes his response was priceless, “Oh my God, I can’t believe I’m talking to one of the guys from Phantom Reign,” explaining that the band’s music was all over the radio in Greece, Germany and the Netherlands saying the band had a big underground metal following.
“The collectors have referred to our CD as the Holy Grail of metal CDs,” says MacDonald. So much so that various European bootleggers have issued unauthorized versions. Now, 30 years later, it looks like there is hope for the future of Phantom Reign. They have struck a deal with the Greek Arkeyn Steel label and have formally re-issued No Hope for the Future http://www.steelgallery.com/…/phantom-reign-no-hope…/, a release that also includes the six tracks from their original cassette release.
While Phantom Reign parted ways in 2005, after a couple of years on hiatus founding members MacDonald and Splett got back together forming Last One Standing with vocalist Tony Donald and drummer Lonnie Langel. In 2013 they once again entered the Bandemonium contest, and once again took first place! Their self-produced CD The Die is Cast is the result, the title track www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU5IiO24EwYwhich gets regular airplay, reflective of original directions of Phantom Reign. The album is available on various streaming services. They’ve also secured a licensing deal with tracks getting played in restaurant/club music programming services and on various television programs.,
While the Last One Standing’s The Die is Cast was released a decade ago now, MacDonald says “We are still jamming and recording.” Original band member Luis Morales moved to Texas where he is still gigging with Hamsters of Rock.
For these musicians, there’s always hope for the future.
Discography
PHANTOM REIGN
1991 Phantom Reign (DYP Productions AVL91078) cassette-only
1995 No Hope for the Future (DYP 0295)
LAST ONE STANDING
2013 The Die is Cast (LOS)