Long Distance Calling – The Phantom Void

Throughout their twenty-year career, the (mostly) instrumental German progressive rock band Long Distance Calling have continually evolved, with experimentation playing a key role in that journey. At the same time, they’ve always known when to rein things in and reconnect with the core of their identity, maintaining a careful sense of balance.

Their more experimental phases have produced some of the strongest material in their catalogue – TRIPS being a prime example – as well as some less successful efforts, such as How We Want to Live?. Following the release of the latter in 2020, the band returned to a more familiar sonic foundation with the Ghost EP and their previous full-length, Eraser.

Looking at their history, the band tend to dial up experimentation in cycles, which could suggest that The Phantom Void might mark another shift in that direction. The album’s title and artwork certainly hint at something new.

However, after a few spins, it becomes clear that The Phantom Void occupies a space somewhere in between. It’s a carefully balanced record, grounded in the band’s established sound while using it as a springboard for more adventurous ideas. These emerge primarily through the album’s concept, which delves into more sinister themes rooted in the darker parts of the human mind.

Musically, the album stays true to what we associate with Long Distance Calling, but the atmosphere, arrangements and intensity feel enhanced compared to their previous work. This is achieved not only through dynamic songwriting, but also through a notably more vigorous performance. At times, the band venture into some of the heaviest, most metal-leaning territory of their career, yet never at the expense of the elegance that defines their sound. The increased sonic density adds weight, but the band’s instinct for space and restraint remains fully intact.

From a performance standpoint, the album is delivered with precision and confidence, while the added heaviness injects a welcome sense of freshness. Some of the most powerful moments in the band’s discography are found here, driven by big portion of big riffs and an especially intense showing from drummer Janosch Rathmer. Double-kick passages appear more frequently than ever before, yet Rathmer never loses the sense of control and finesse that characterizes his playing and the band’s overall sound.

While the band experimented with vocals in the first half of their career – particularly on 2016’s TRIPS -they have since refocused on fully instrumental storytelling. Spoken-word elements, which have long been part of their toolkit, return once again. At times, as on The Flood Inside, this approach was highly effective; here, however, it feels somewhat less impactful. Even so, the band’s ability to convey narrative and emotion without relying on lyrics remains impressive.

For most of their career, Long Distance Calling have delivered one strikingly sounding record after another, and they seem to improve with each new release. The Phantom Void is no exception. On the contrary, it might just be the best-sounding album of their career. The warmth, sonic clarity, and the balance between power and space within the album’s soundscape are nothing short of staggering.

Overall, The Phantom Void stands as a fitting way to mark two decades of Long Distance Calling, not only because of its general quality, but because it seamlessly blends the band’s defining traits with distinguished new directions. And it’s fitting that, in many ways, this balance has always been at the heart of what they do.

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