Phantom of Reality

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.