Interview Phenomy

Phenomy has made waves in the global metal scene despite Lebanon's challenges. Their unique sound blends thrash, groove, and oriental influences, standing out internationally.

1. Phenomy has become a force in the global metal scene despite coming from a country like Lebanon where metal music faces numerous challenges. How has your local environment shaped your identity as a band?

Creating metal music in Lebanon is no easy feat. Life itself is challenging, and making dark, heavy music in a deeply religious country is far from the most supported pursuit. But in a place where frustration runs deep, angry youth channel that rage into their music. Our lyrics are rooted in real-life experiences—reflecting the impact of wars, rigid mindsets, and the suffocating norms that shape the country. Yet, despite these struggles, Lebanon is rich in culture and history. Musically, we draw from the unique rhythms and sounds of the region, incorporating oriental instruments and influences into our work, giving our music a distinct edge that sets us apart from bands worldwide.

2. Your latest album, Syndicate of Pain, is a concept album about an asylum run by a mad scientist, Dr. Anton Shuman. Could you walk us through the inspiration behind this dark and twisted story?

We set out to create our own universe and tell a story—something that has been ingrained in us since childhood through comics and movies. The concept began to take shape with the music video for "The Memory Remains," and from there, we decided to expand into a full-fledged universe. At the heart of this story is Dr. Shuman, a mad scientist manipulating his patients for a larger, secretive project run by an even more powerful entity, which is revealed later in the narrative. Through this universe, we aim to reflect how the world mirrors this chaotic asylum—where even those in charge, like Dr. Shuman, may find themselves merely pawns in a bigger game. Ultimately, they too come to realize they are being controlled by forces above them, trapped in a plan far beyond their own design.

3. The track ‘Lead Me to My Throne’ comes with a harrowing animation video. What message were you aiming to convey through this visual, and how does it connect with the themes of the album?

"Lead Me to My Throne" tells the story of an inmate trapped in Dr. Shuman's asylum, reflecting on his past as a serial killer. The song explores his internal conflict between two opposing sides—one as a brutal killing machine, the other consumed by guilt, powerless against the monster within. The music video captures this struggle, portraying his violent nature alongside his remorse for losing control. Impressively, the entire video was brought to life by our bassist, who drew and animated every frame himself, crafting the entire clip, frame by frame, from start to finish.

4. Phenomy won the Wacken Middle East Battle, which led to your performance at Wacken Open Air, one of the biggest metal festivals in the world. How did that experience impact the band, both personally and professionally?

As metalheads, playing at Wacken is the kind of dream you never really expect to come true. While we had performed internationally before, nothing came close to the magnitude of Wacken. Winning the chance to play there was beyond anything we ever imagined. When we got the opportunity, we seized it—and it was incredible. We had never played in front of such a massive crowd, and the experience taught us so much about performing on the world’s biggest stage. We learned the intricacies of organizing large-scale shows and the importance of networking with key figures in the industry. This led to connecting with promoters worldwide, helping us secure future tours and festival appearances. One of the greatest rewards from this experience was landing a tour with Sepultura. Meeting and performing alongside such a legendary band was a major accomplishment for us, one we hold close to our hearts.

5. You've cited influences such as Metallica, Pantera, and In Flames. How do you balance incorporating elements from these giants while still creating a sound that is uniquely your own?

Metallica has been our biggest influence, teaching us that it's okay to experiment, push boundaries, and not be confined to a single identity. They've shown us the value of exploring new ideas and daring to fail. Pantera’s attitude and groove, along with In Flames’ melodies and guitar work, have also played a huge role in shaping our sound. Beyond metal, we draw inspiration from a wide range of styles, as well as personal experiences and even TV shows. All of this, combined with our ethnic touch, gives our music a unique edge—blending diverse influences to create something entirely our own.

6. As a band that has toured across Europe and played major festivals like Metalhead Meeting and Ostrava V Plamenech, how do you compare the metal scenes in Europe with that in Lebanon and the Middle East?

We’ve learned that every country—and even each city—has its own unique way of appreciating music. In Lebanon, where the metal scene is small but intense, metalheads are true ragers, and the moshpits can get pretty wild. But there's also a creative side, with fans inventing fun dances and movements during gigs, which makes the shows really enjoyable. In other countries, we’ve found different vibes. The Czech Republic, which has become like a second home to us, is all about family. Every time we play there, we feel a deep mutual respect between us and the fans—especially because we’re coming from Lebanon, and they continuously support us. Playing in France was another incredible experience. While French crowds aren’t as big on moshpits, they’re attentive listeners, and the venues are top-notch. Each city offers something different, and we love them all in their own way. We can't wait to hit the road again and reconnect with these amazing audiences.

7. The concept of Syndicate of Pain deals with madness, manipulation, and dark experiments. How do you approach writing lyrics that tap into such intense, psychological themes?

Our music is deeply shaped by our experiences in Lebanon, where being an artist can feel like a battle against a closed-minded society. It also reflects the disconnect between the harsh realities we live and how they’re portrayed in the media, creating a distorted image for those who only see things through their screens. Loic, our main lyricist, draws additional inspiration from authors like Lovecraft, Stephen King, and the horror genre, which infuses our lyrics with a more poetic sense of darkness. This blend of personal experience and literary influence gives our music a unique, haunting edge.

8. Your music blends thrash and groove metal elements, creating a sound that's both aggressive and rhythmic. How do you achieve this balance musically, and how has it evolved over the years?

Thrash and groove have been the core elements shaping our musical identity, with a strong passion for blending melodies and breakdowns. Old-school thrash laid the foundation for our early sound, but we've always sought new ways to write and tell stories to keep things fresh for both us and our audience. Each album features a distinct approach to composition while maintaining the main characteristics of Phenomy's sound: heavy riffs, compelling melodies, grooves, and intense breakdowns. Today, our music has evolved to incorporate more modern and cinematic elements, influenced by composers like Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman, adding a new layer of depth while staying true to our roots.

9. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the production of Syndicate of Pain, especially given the complex storylines and character development within the album?

"Syndicate of Pain" was written and recorded during a particularly challenging time in Lebanon, amid the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. With restrictions in place and it being nearly impossible to go out, we recorded everything at home with the equipment we had. The lockdown and the dire situation pushed us to delve deeper into our creativity, leading to the creation of our universe, "The Wretched and the Wicked." The characters and story emerged from the songs we had already written, and we adapted the narrative to fit this new concept, bringing everything together.

Now that the first part is out, we’re excited to be working on the second part, which will feature a new album and a fresh concept. We have a wealth of new ideas and material in the works, but we’re keeping those details under wraps for now. We can't wait to reveal what we have in store and share it with the world.

10. With Syndicate of Pain out and making waves, what's next for Phenomy? Are there any new projects or tours on the horizon that fans can look forward to?

Now that the first part is out, we’re excited to be working on the second part, which will feature a new album and a fresh concept. We have a wealth of new ideas and material in the works, but we’re keeping those details under wraps for now. In addition, we’re currently organizing upcoming shows, especially with our new management, Colin Parks from EMG, on board. We’re working on all the details and can’t wait to reveal what we have in store, both musically and on the road.

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