AN INTERVIEW WITH PHANTOM SPELL (UK)

Seven Sisters lead vocalist Kyle McNeill took a moment to catch up with TheNwothm.com about his project Phantom Spell. A master of storytelling though music and text, his unique approach captures the imaginations of whom ever steps into the world of his project. I initially was expecting Kyle to reply but he put me in the direction of an old man instead! See for yourself…

PHANTOM SPELL is the brainchild of Kyle McNeill, frontman for London based classic metal stalwarts, SEVEN SISTERS. Having established his command of songcraft over several albums with the U.K.’s twin-guitar renegades, McNeill has decided to add a second string to his bow by delving heart-first into a musical love letter to his favourite prog rock artists of yesteryear.

“Musically, this is an area I’ve wanted to explore for a very long time,” he says. “The classic prog records have truly captured my imagination and continue to inspire me. I hope that in some odd way, this can be seen as me trying to repay the favour to those bands for enriching my life — a tribute to the dorkiness and grandeur of prog rock!”Through “Immortal’s Requiem”, PHANTOM SPELL presents a spellbinding sonic journey. A journey in which fractured thoughts of a deteriorating clairvoyant are given form as cascading guitar harmonies and weaving mellotronic passages. Songs like “Dawn of Mind” and “Seven Sided Mirror” effortlessly navigate shifting sonic textures with purpose and unabashed curiosity that are akin to the theatrical majesty of those dear KANSAS and YES gatefolds tucked away in record collections worldwide.
-Phantom Spell

THE NWOTHM: For those who do not know who you are, can you tell us your band name,
who is in the band and where you are from?

Phantom Spell: Well, I’d be surprised if anyone was to know who I am. I have, after all, been a
hermit in this tower of mine for many moons. How did you find me? What do you want?

THE NWOTHM: How did the band form and is there any interesting story surrounding its formation?

Phantom Spell: Ah yes, countless stories, have I. Long years have gone by since I came upon
this plane. You seedlings wouldn’t comprehend the horrors I’ve endured. Why it was not two
moons ago I wrestled an old, overgrown bog bat out of this damned tower. The stench, by The
One! It’s not easy at my age! Interesting fact about bog bats; Their teeth, when ground down in to a
fine powder, make a fine stimulant for more… energetic activities. That ought to teach you a thing
or two about “formation”. Hah! Anyway, where were we?

THE NWOTHM: Since the bands formation what big milestones have you achieved?

Phantom Spell: Eh? What was that, “Sick child bones”? No, no. You don’t want to be messing
around with that sort of stuff, trust me. Speak up, lad!

THE NWOTHM: Can you tell us any fun/ interesting facts about the members of the band?

Phantom Spell: Zebahnd? ZEBAHND? I knew it! You’re with those bloated oafs. They’ve been a
thorn in my side for centuries. Blasted warlocks. Wouldn’t know a wytch’s tit from a harpy’s feather.
You tell those idiots if they step within an arrow’s flight of this place they’ll be sorry!

THE NWOTHM: What bands and artists have influenced you and helped you to carve your
sound?
Phantom Spell: I doubt there’s a tome or scroll around these parts I haven’t studied. You see,
when you’ve been around as long as I have you have to refresh your memory once in a while. I
find I’m particularly fond of Thap-Argh’s work on shards of rock fallen from outer space.
Fascinating stuff. Kahns Ass’s “Study of the art of studying Vol. IV” is quite a chuckle, also.

THE NWOTHM: Can you tell us about your most recent release(s) and any background
information to the music? How did the songs come about?

Phantom Spell: “Releases from my background formation”, eh? My-my-my, what a thing to ask an
old man! Well, if you must know, that block of cheese I finished a few days ago has conjured up
some rather interesting releases. If you catch my drift? Actually, don’t catch any drift in here, it’s
awful – hah! I suppose these things come about rather naturally. A funny feeling, concentration, a
squeeze and out one pops!

THE NWOTHM: What shows have you got coming up for 2023? Any major performances
you would like to highlight?

Phantom Spell: Bah, I’ve given up on public appearances. People are loathsome. Besides, I have seven daemons trapped in a mirror. The stories they can tell! What a hoot. I’m sure they’ll be my
end but they make great company over a drink-or-two. Have you ever tried fermented toenail
clippings? The trick is to boil them with moss-toad phlegm. It’ll add a few whiskers to yer chin, that
will!

THE NWOTHM: Any other plans for 2023? With it being a new year, what do you hope to
achieve in the upcoming months?

Phantom Spell: Truly, who knows what is in store for us? I am but a puppet of The One. She’s a
cruel mistress. I’ve often thought that if you’d insist on someone being eternal that you wouldn’t
subject them to the indignities of age. Why in the blazes must I be a decrepit old man? You tell her
when you see her – as I’m sure you’ll get there before I do – that she needs to give up the joke and
let me pass!

THE NWOTHM: Where can people check you out on social media and buy your
music/merch?

Phantom Spell: I would strongly advise anyone considering contacting me to simply not bother.
Leave me alone!That being said, if you have any spare toenail clippings you don’t have need for (although The One knows why you’d have spare!) send them by raven:

Bandcamp: phantomspell.bandcamp.com
Facebook: facebook.com/phantomspellmusic
Instagram: instagram.com/phantomspellmusic

THE NWOTHM: is there anything else you would like to mention?

Phantom Spell: What? You’re still here? Get lost! Shoo! Bloody bog bats…