There's just something about a three-piece band. A power-trio if you will. Sure, one could go the traditional route of a four-piece, or even a more popular five-piece. But a three-piece is just...classic. Think Rush, Motorhead, Venom, Celtic Frost, etc. No camouflage. No tricks. No gimmicks. Just three musicians making unholy noise together.

Hailing from Oakland, CA, Phantasmal Abyss continues the legacy of the three-piece; albeit in a more extreme, and genre defying fashion. Made up by Dara Santhai (Serpent Crown, Larvae), Todd Wilkinson (drums) and Rafael Martinez (Black Cobra/Acid King/16), Phantasmal Abyss has been churning out unorthodox extreme metal since 2021. Steeped in thick riffs, twisting melodies and organic tones that bring Bay Area stalwarts Neurosis to mind, PA adds a bit of dare we say it "musicality" to their extreme metal arrangements. Part blackened, part thrash, and part death, PA offers a fresh and interesting take on an often-overpopulated genre of bands trying to "out-heavy each other". Think Aura Noir meets Morbid Angel with the more DIY attitude of Oakland's crust scene.

Since their inception, Phantasmal Abyss has methodically carved their way across the west coast and south west, sharing the stage with Belphegor, Wayfarer,  Bewitcher, Perpetual Warfare (Colombia), Arkona and Yatra.

In the spring of 2025, Phantasmal Abyss entered Earhammer studio with Grammy winning engineer Greg Wilkinson to record the follow to 2023's The Spawn of Lycaon. 7 songs of audial poison are planned.

Releases:
The Spawn of Lycaon (single) - 2023 
Visions from the Abyss - 2022 (produced by Greg Wilkinson)