Phobia Albums (6)
'22 Random Acts of Violence'
Release Date 10/27/2008
Tracks 22
Label Candlelight
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Serenity Through Pain'
Release Date 11/6/2001
Tracks 23
Label Deathvomit
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What The Critics Say
Most of the grindcore releases that have come from Necropolis and its Deathvomit imprint are obsessed with the occult and deal with such themes as Satanism, evil, hellfire, demons, and witchcraft. But Phobia's Serenity Through Pain is an exception. This blistering, ferocious CD has all the Deathvomit/Necropolis trademarks -- choked, growling vocals, insanely fast tempos, sledgehammer aggression, etc. But lyrically, Serenity Through Pain is another matter. While other Deathvomit/Necropolis discs are consistently occult-minded, this 2001 release focuses on sociopolitical matters. Lead vocalist Shane McLachlan is an anarchist, and his dark, angry lyrics attack organized religion as vehemently as they attack government. (While libertarians believe in small, limited government, anarchists believe in no government at all.) Of course, it is usually difficult to understand those lyrics; McLachlan's disturbing growl makes it hard to make out the words that are coming from his mouth -- and therefore, it renders them less effective. But you can make out certain phrases here and there, and Deathvomit provides a lyric sheet so that no one will have to wonder what McLachlan is singing about. And whether you agree or disagree with the band's politics, Phobia's lyrics are generally well written. Political propaganda -- be it liberal, conservative, anarchist, socialist, or communist -- has its place in music as long as it is well done. Unlike some grindcore combos, Phobia doesn't embrace a 500-miles-per-hour tempo 100 percent of the time. It does slow things down at times, although not often enough to avoid the sort of predictability that characterizes so many grindcore releases. Phobia is still fairly predictable, although not quite as predictable as some grindcore bands. But despite its limitations, Serenity Through Pain is a cut above other CDs that came from the grindcore field in the early '00s. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Destroying the Masses'
Release Date 10/30/1999
Tracks 10
Label Pessimiser/Theo
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'Means of Existence'
Release Date 9/4/1998
Tracks 17
Label Slap-A-Ham
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What The Critics Say
When you've heard one death metal album, you're heard them all. You know, the growling vocals, songs that speed at a million miles a minute, grim, dystopic lyrics, blah, blah, blah. A lot of this goes for Phobia, it's like you already know what to expect in the song before it happens. But what they do have going for them on Means of Existence-their first post-Relapse Records album-is that their lyrics have more of a political bite to them. With songs that deal with government corruption, mankind's darkside and how evil corporations can be, Phobia want to be the ones to provide a big wake up for the masses and demand a overhaul within the system. It is questionable on how much change they could actually accomplish, but you at least have to give them credit for trying as hard as they do. ~ Mike DaRonco, All Music Guide
'Return to Desolation'
Release Date 6/28/1994
Tracks 12
Label Relapse
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