Phantom Corporation recently released their sophomore album "Time And Tide" which turned out into a really brutal beast (read review here). Song titles like "Western Decline" or "Krokodil" are just screaming to be asked about and so vocalist Leif Jensen took the time to answer my questions very detailedly. So go, check the album, read the interview and enjoy a brutal lesson in violence!

Michael

Hey, how are you guys doing?

Hi there Michael and everyone reading! Pretty good actually, thanks for asking. Hopefully you too? It's interesting times as far as the band because the new album "Time And Tide" finally comes out at the end of this week and we can't wait for people to hear what we have been working on…

I personally think that "Time And Tide" has turned out a little bit punkier than "Fallout" – what would you say is the main difference to your debut?

Interesting to hear so. I have heard from others that it seemed more (death) metallic, so I guess everyone has an own take and perspective?! I feel there is a bit more of everything going on with "Time And Tide". Basically we tried to expand and intensify the various shades that compose the sound and attitude of the band, so basically broadening the horizon but at yet also going further into the extremes. Some of the stuff is really melodic for us, but at the same time we have the first two tracks ever with Phantom Corporation that feature blast-beats. Some of the difference also lies explained in the fact that we have had three songwriters on this new album, all with a rather different approach to their ideas and riffing. Our usual combo of writers, guitarists Philipp and Arne, got joined by bassist Ulf this time too, who also contributed two songs to "Time And Tide". I think that added to the variety and opened some new doors for us right there. Other than that, I guess we all had "Fallout" to look up to and basically use it as a reference where things come from and where to take them, also in terms of production and sound, since we have been working again with Jörg Uken at Soundlodge Tonstudio. We also had a larger amount of songs in the works to choose from for this new album, so we made sure to keep a good eye on the flow and the most interesting sequencing and musical width we could offer…

The title spreads a certain calm atmosphere like what Heraclitus the ancient Greek philosopher once said: "panta rhei". I guess you didn't have that in mind when you chose the title, did you?

Our guitarist Philipp came up with the title, initially just for the song but when we realized that it has a quite epic and not so cliché sounding approach, we ended up using it as album title too. I think he was just meaning to follow the saying "time and tide wait for no man…", but yeah, interesting take here. And yes, I would agree about the calm, but yet very decisive atmosphere. I personally liked the idea and interpretation that the title somehow deals with finality and comes with a strong overall vibe in that sense, looking deeper into the individual lyrics. I checked with Philipp but he confirmed that Heraclitus was no influence. It was more in the sense of: where are we coming from and where are we going? But I absolutely like the fact everyone could find a certain personal connection to such title and meaning.

When I look at the track titles, it is obvious that you deal with some actual political things like the decline of the Western world and the values most of us share ("Western Apocalypse"). How important is it for you to make some political statements with your music?

Very much so. It's rough times, pretty much everywhere and for almost everyone. And I feel there should be no holding back with any critical view towards the current developments. It's such a crazy and radicalizing world out there right now, and people seem to quickly adapt, losing morals and compassion at an incredible speed…scary! But yeah, that goes for a few of the lyrics but not for all. There are also some more personal topics and also some rather simple themes with some of the other songs too. "Western Apocalypse" actually felt like the suitable, right ending for this album, both lyrically and musically, so we gave it the important closing slot on the sequence. Not sure how it feels for others, but I personally had a great time hitting a repeat play for the entire album after the faded ending of that song…

"Krokodil" has a very cryptic title and I don't think that it is a cover by Master's Hammer. Can you go a little bit more into detail with that song?

Oh, wow…we didn't even know of the song by Master's Hammer with the same title. I just looked it up and gave it a listen…wicked stuff, as to be expected with that band, haha. So yeah, no…not a cover song for sure, hahaha. I remember liking some of the early 90's Osmose releases by Master's Hammer, but didn't really keep track of them afterwards, to be honest. Our track is quite straight forward and grinding, containing a large Terrorizer "World Downfall" influence to support the heaviness of the topic, as this is not only just about a dangerous animal, but rather deals with the horrible drug of the same name. I think it was inspired by a documentary about it, so that's that. We have already been playing "Krokodil" live already as well and it has a very enjoyable catchiness to it, next to being extremely aggressive too of course.

Do the lyrics on the album have a common thread in a certain way?

One might think so because a few of them are quite socio-politically minded, but the songs really all deal with something else. So it's nothing like a mandatory overall concept, even though the general attitude happens to be quite obvious, eminent and imminent. There is a certain red thread to a few of the tracks indeed, but not a continuous story or anything like that, if you meant it like that. I usually like to see the lyrics support the atmosphere of the music and possibly even add a next level to things. I wasn't much involved with the lyrics myself this time around, I must say. For most of the tracks, actually the songwriter contributed the lyrics this time as well, and Ulf wrote the words for the songs written by Arne, so there was always a direct connection between music and lyrics somehow. The way the material came together, I must say that I was extremely impressed and supportive of seeing the others bring in full songs basically. It's a very hard-hitting release and I think the lyrics play a major role in that as well!

Musically you have a cool mix between punk, crust, death and thrash. Any preferences when it comes to these styles?

Yes, you got it right there. We enjoy all the different styles of heavy and extreme music. And it's fun to mix stuff up, going for the best elements, also some grindcore, doom and so on. I think the list of preferences would vary a bit between members and everyone has his personal input, but I can dig some Propagandhi or Drain, as much as I can listen to Amebix, Terrorizer, Holy Terror, Sacrifice, Tragedy, Morbid Angel, At The Gates, Blood Incantation or Circle Takes The Square. Really depends on the day and on the mood, so it's hard to say. Those examples are just what came to mind first, so not necessarily a list of direct inspirations. But yeah, there is a ton of great and inspiring music out there for sure!

What is always important, at least for me, is a good cover for a good album. This time the artwork looks more like a painting with many details than the one on "Fallout". Who had the idea for it and who was the creator of that beautiful cover?

We loved the artwork we had on "Fallout" as that was 100% exactly what we wanted and needed on that album! For the new release we had to go back and forth a bit. It wasn't easy because we also at first didn't have the title fully settled. And then we wanted to also get an artist involved with an opinion and interpretation of the title. I think finally our guitarist Philipp found a Norwegian artist (https://www.skurktur.com/) during an exhibition. He got into his work and approached him with our music and concept. I think he only added some brief input as far as symbolism, but after a first sketch we knew this would turn out to become something really suitable and special. It's catchy and epic at the same time. Pretty dark too. It was something different than we were expecting ourselves, so maybe that's why we liked it and quickly approved it as the right way to go for "Time And Tide". Happy to hear that you liked it too! WE have received a lot of cool feedback for it…

Like the previous one the album was produced by Jörg Uken who has become a very busy guy in the last couple of years when I look up all the stuff he did. Why do you think has he become such a desired producer?

Well, I first worked with Jörg at Soundlodge some almost 20 years ago for my previous band Dew-Scented and our drummer Marc even recorded with him way before that with his former death metal band Obscenity, so you could say we go "way back". Jörg is a great guy and knows what he is doing. We already noticed during the Phantom Corporation sessions we had there for "Banner Of Hatred" and then of course "Fallout" that we can achieve a really kick-ass final result in our co-operation, so we had no doubts at all about getting together for this new album again. We enjoy his efficient approach and also the fact we can all be around at the studio together, so it wasn't just about the one guy currently recording but in fact a full-band concept so that everyone could stick around and help each other with company and input, or simply have a good time with BBQ or do some beers in town together after the daily recording sessions. His studio is located in the rather quiet and peaceful Eastfrisian area of Germany, which for a guy like me that lives in a bigger city almost feels like a holiday. At least it's far off and allows you to focus on what you are doing. Jörg is a great musician (drummer) too and has an awesome ear for details, so that I always get the feeling we make a good team with him. I think he had fun working with us too, so that always leads to the best of both worlds…

The album comes out in December, what are the upcoming plans to promote "Time And Tide"?

Well, actually we will play shows in record stores on the weekend of release now, in Bremen and Hamburg. That should be fun and something special indeed. Afterwards it's regular shows, hopefully as many as we can, and also hit some new cities that way. We have a next (split) mini-album release in the works for late Summer 2026 already as well and I recently heard we have a first couple of new songs coming in already, so yeah, things sound like fun and as if we would stay busy for the next while….

The final words are yours!

Dankeschön! We truly appreciate the support and the time everyone here spent on this and with Phantom Corporation. Check out our Bandcamp site for some new merchandise: https://phantomcorporation.bandcamp.com/ And then hopefully see you around sooner or later along the way…Peace out! 😉