Phantom-x is an American heavy metal and

power metal Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contra ...

band from

Dallas, Texas Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County wi ...

. The band was formed in 2004 by

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vocalist Kevin Goocher and bassist Glenn Malicki.

Biography

Kevin Goocher, vocalist of heavy metal band Omen, formed Phantom-x with bass player Glenn Malicki while Omen was on a two-year hiatus. The group began as a

Ronnie James Dio Ronald James Padavona (July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010), known professionally as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal singer. He fronted and founded numerous bands throughout his career, including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and ...

tribute band called Stargazer who performed locally in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area. Goocher and Malicki began writing original material for the group, and subsequently renamed the group Phantom-x. Phantom-x signed with Mausoleum Records in July 2005, and released their debut album, ''Rise of the Phantom'', in early November of that year. The album included guest vocal appearances from

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( Candlemass,

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) and Jason McMaster (

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). Portions of the album, labeled in chapters, introduce a fantasy story about a demon who rises to power. ''Rise of the Phantom'' peaked at number 7 on the German heavy metal charts. The release of ''Rise of the Phantom'' coincided with the band's 2005 European tour with Canadian heavy metal band

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. The tour, set up by an inexperienced booking agent, was poorly promoted, and fraught with logistical and financial problems. Footage from this tour, including the Phantom-x song "Pain Machine", is featured in the documentary ''

Anvil! The Story of Anvil ''Anvil! The Story of Anvil'' is a 2008 Canadian rockumentary film about the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil. The film is directed by screenwriter Sacha Gervasi, in his directorial debut, and features interviews with other musicians who have bee ...

'' (2008). In 2006, Phantom-x released a follow up album entitled ''Storm Riders''. The album adds an additional three chapters to the story begun on ''Rise of the Phantom''. The band then toured to support the album. In 2008, Kevin Goocher and his daughter, Devon Goocher, appeared in ''

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,'' a reality television show hosted by former

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. The show debuted on

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March 20, and aired for one season. In 2009, Reece Stanley and Bill Engfer joined Phantom-x, solidifying what had previously been a revolving lineup on guitar and drums. The band released ''This Is War'' on Perris Records in 2010, which again included chapters on the albums' ongoing story. The band's first headlining tour was in promotion of this album. In 2012, Phantom-x signed with Pure Steel Records. The label released the group's fourth album, ''The Opera of the Phantom'', on August 31. ''The Opera of the Phantom'' compiles the chapters of the entire fantasy story from the previous albums, and adds new chapters that complete the concept. The album also includes another three new songs that are unrelated to the story.

Members

Current members

*Kevin Goocher – vocals (2004–present) *Glenn Malicki – bass (2004–present) *Bill Engfer – guitar (2009–present) *Reese Stanley – drums (2009–present)

Previous members

*Russell D. Contreras – guitar *Eric Knudson – guitar *Dave Harvey – guitar *Richard Tull – guitar *Steve Nichols – drums *Danny White – drums

Discography

References

{{Authority control Heavy metal musical groups from Texas Musical groups from Dallas American power metal musical groups Musical groups established in 2004