Phantom Generation
Phantom Generation hails from Orange County, CA and formed back in the early 90's by vocalist-Paul Cawley(Guardian). Phantom Generation draws their sound from the 80's era Metal scene and can be compared to such bands as Dokken, Night Ranger, Firehouse, and White Lion.
Back in 1993, the band came together at a friends house in California, they set up equipment and began recording some demo tracks. Gene's Drums in the family room, Karry and Michael's guitars in bedrooms, and Michael and Paul slamming out vocals in hallways, bathrooms and closets, this was about as bare-bones and raw as it gets. The band recorded 5-tracks that would be added to their debut release just 5 month later. Their 5-track EP was titled 'Renaissance'. In December of 1993 Phantom Generation stepped into the studio to record their Full-length debut album which would also carry the same title - 'Renaissance'. The following year the band hit the streets doing some local gigs to promote the album. by the Spring of '94, after some line-up changes and having garnered a stronger fan base, the group began work on a new demo with new material including reworked songs from their 'Renaissance' album. At the end of '94, with a stronger fan base, Phantom Generation stepped into the studio to record their follow-up album. Their sophomore album was titled - ‘Your Karma Ran Over My Dogma’ and was released in 1995. However, shortly after the band's second album, with several members enduring extensive personal issues, the band went on hiatus in early 1996.
Back in 1993, the band came together at a friends house in California, they set up equipment and began recording some demo tracks. Gene's Drums in the family room, Karry and Michael's guitars in bedrooms, and Michael and Paul slamming out vocals in hallways, bathrooms and closets, this was about as bare-bones and raw as it gets. The band recorded 5-tracks that would be added to their debut release just 5 month later. Their 5-track EP was titled 'Renaissance'. In December of 1993 Phantom Generation stepped into the studio to record their Full-length debut album which would also carry the same title - 'Renaissance'. The following year the band hit the streets doing some local gigs to promote the album. by the Spring of '94, after some line-up changes and having garnered a stronger fan base, the group began work on a new demo with new material including reworked songs from their 'Renaissance' album. At the end of '94, with a stronger fan base, Phantom Generation stepped into the studio to record their follow-up album. Their sophomore album was titled - ‘Your Karma Ran Over My Dogma’ and was released in 1995. However, shortly after the band's second album, with several members enduring extensive personal issues, the band went on hiatus in early 1996.
"The idea for the band's moniker actually came from the song "Future Shock" which was originally titled "Phantom Generation" back when the band was going by the moniker-'Renaissance'. When we created the new project together in the wake of Renaissance's falling apart, Paul decided he liked the song's title - "From Future Shock to Renaissance" so we named our new collaboration Phantom Generation."
"I know how hard life can be and we all need some love and affection and a little relaxing
and some great music to help us find new strength, hope and love to carry on our lives mission and work! How? Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. That's how. Amen (Paul)"
and some great music to help us find new strength, hope and love to carry on our lives mission and work! How? Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. That's how. Amen (Paul)"
In 2017 Phantom Generation re-released their independent debut full-length album simply titled 'Renaissance'. The band decided that it was time to dust off their 1994 retro release and make it available to the public once more. This re-release has been carefully remixed & remastered for digital release and includes lots of never before heard tracks from there original recording session.
Vocalist-Paul Cawley is known for his work as founder & original singer of the 80's powerhouse band Guardian. Shortly after Guardian's 1989 debut release-'First Watch', Cawley left the band and began work on a new endeavor - Phantom Generation. Cawley's vocal delivery draws comparisons to Don Dokken the frontman for the well known 80's band - Dokken.
When it comes to the lyrics on this 2017 re-release of 'Renaissance,' we find a mixed bag of subjects that seem to all point back to our Creator - Jesus Christ. Track-1 "Love Earth" speaks about how many are destroying the earth and the animals there of in many different ways. The Lord cares for the treatment of His creation as well. There's a text found in Revelation that also speaks of the destruction of those who destroy the earth: Revelation 11:18 "And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." Track-9 "Sweet Maiden" speaks of love and marriage between a man and a woman just as God originally intended it to be. These biblical concepts are found in Mark 10:6-8 "But from the beginning of the creation, Male and female made he them. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh: so that they are no more two, but one flesh." Track-2 "She" speaks of the innocent felt love of a man for a woman which leads him to desire to marry her. track-5 "Conscience" speaks of some moral issues that our nation is facing. Then there are various tracks that show the band's faith as they make reference to God our Savior as we can see in the following lyric excerpts:
"Sweet Maiden"
Oh you’re my one and only woman Sweet Maiden Spring is when you’re taken for ever after in my bride! The two become one I know we’re gonna shine just like the sun inside Now day by day, in every way We’re finding this union is a holy mystery Like dawn arising, illuminating our souls Baby baby the love we share Grows and grows and grows In a circle forever! Oh you’re my one and only woman Sweet Maiden Gotta keep a praying through any darkness to come The two become one I know our time is coming to shine just like the sun Oh! Like the sun The two becoming one |
"Future Shock"
The wheat and the tares Together they grow There’s two generations Their fate incognito Peace and love A peace and love sensation A sudden devastation Open An open invitation Divine revelation Our father in heaven Father! There’s too many voices in my head Where is everyone? Is this the new world? |
"A Tale Of Tomorrow"
If your house seems desolate Don’t worry about what you can’t do That’s where Imagination ends Because she walks the road less traveled And it’s just the beginning The voice of reason is calling And as I gaze into a land of ageless time See a marriage celebration and a Lamb that shines Still she’s waiting for the new sunrise A city illuminating, coming down from the sky So if you look for precious stones And a river flowing from a Lion’s throne Across a crystal golden street are trees of life A sign that says your finally… your finally really home |
"To Live Without"
The tragedy comes When we walk apart from the One We take an aimless sort of chance undone We’re left with an empty religion ...To live without The wonder that brought us together To live without The Light of light going deeper I’m not going to live without |
"Love Earth"
Love Earth All of creation, Love Earth Love Earth Stop the destruction We all suffer the hurt A vessel heads for the port of Valdez Troubled waters in Prince William Sound A blackened coastline – oil slickened seas And everywhere it spills death is found! The wealth of this planet Its beauty destroyed A wild breed of cosmic new colors Laboratory industry torturing All God’s creatures for products we serve |
"Golden Rule"
It’s time to start to do for others What I’d want them to do for me We gotta look out for each other It’s what we need I’m asking for a taste of the new wine Seeing my need for the True Vine It’s time to start to do for others What I’d want them to do for me We gotta look out for each other Said His Majesty… It’s time to start to do for others What I’d want them to do for me That’s what a family should be It’s what we need! |
If you are looking for some Metal in the veins of Dokken, Bloodgood, or White Lion to add to your collection then take into consideration what Phantom Generation has offered up with 'Renaissance'. If you often find yourself longing for the 80's golden years of Metal music then what Phantom Generation offers up will began the healing process to cure that nostalgia.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Paul Cawley - Vocals
Michael Jones - Guitars
Karry Dayton - Bass
Gene Provencio - Drums
Paul Cawley - Vocals
Michael Jones - Guitars
Karry Dayton - Bass
Gene Provencio - Drums