Heavy guitar and vocal driven Power Metal.

10 MP3 Songs
METAL: Power Metal, ROCK: Hard Rock



Details:
Phantom Stranger was formed in 1989 By Joe Valente and Rob Wiley. Rob and Joe concentrated their efforts on writing original music, combining Joe's lyrical writing abilities and thundering drum lines with Rob's power guitar riffs and his ability to come up with melodies that conveyed the emotion of the lyrics Joe was writing.

Phantom Stranger then turned their attention to finding a bass player that could pound out the bottom end and be a positive force in the band. After auditioning several bass players Dan Allen was the man. He picked up the music fast and joined in the creative process writing bass lines and complete song compositions within the first year.

Phantom Stranger knew they needed a great singer to front the band and convey the stories and emotions of the music. Again we auditioned several men and women for this and the minute Patti Kutzler started singing in 1991 Phantom Stranger was complete.

Four weeks later Phantom Stranger played a benefit for Joe's old High School. Their first show was a great success. The sound tech that night entered Phantom Stranger in a Battle of the Bands at All-star's rock bar. Phantom Stranger finished a close second against 5 established rock bands from the Chicago and Milwaukee area six weeks after forming. Phantom Stranger became a regular attraction at All-stars, headlining the bill there once a month for two years and playing out two nights a week across the Northern Illinois, Chicago, Milwaukee and Southern Wisconsin Bar scene. Phantom Stranger has always been able to turn any rock crowd into fans of the band after playing in these venues. Phantom Stranger is known as having a loyal following and being popular with the bar's patrons.

In 1997, after playing in different projects with and with out members of Phantom Stranger, Joe approached Rob about reforming Phantom Stranger. Shortly after this an informal practice was held. The only member that declined the invitation was Patti.

It was decided that only an incredibly talented singer would be able to take Patti's place.

After trying out several singers Phantom asked Ray Underwood, a friend of the band to try out. Ray was just what Phantom was looking for. He had a powerful voice and had the ability to convey the emotion of the music. The band then discussed the prospect of adding a second guitar to the band. They decided to ask John Salabounis to join the band. Rob had worked with John in another band and knew he would fit in perfect with Phantom's power guitar attack and become a very productive writing force in the band.

John and Ray soon proved their writing ability by co-writing Ender's Game, based on the science fiction novel by Orson Scott Card.

Since Phantom Stranger reformed, the band has returned to the Chicago and Milwaukee club scene, released their debut album and are working on a second album.