Finnish hard rock band Phantomy releases new EP ‘’First Takes’’

Hard rock band Phantomy releases a new EP titled First Takes. The EP is digitally released on May 26th via Inverse Records.

Listen to First Takes on streaming services. 

In the summer of 2025, Phantomy emerged victorious from a battle of the bands competition after crushing their enemies. Little did they know… that they would be rewarded not only with glory, but best of all with studio time at the North Savonian underground recording mecca, Purkkistudio. Purkkistudio is a legendary recording studio in the small town called Lapinlahti, Finland, where studio guru Ari Auvinen has recorded, produced and mixed countless local underground classics for over 50 years.

''Working with Auvinen was a great experience, and we learned a lot from him. He had a great deal of knowledge and tricks up his sleeve. And he had lots of odd vintage mics that we had never seen before and those helped us get, for example, the best guitar tone that we've had to this day''. Says guitarist Eetu Räsänen.

With Auvinen, Phantomy recorded three headbanging covers of songs from bands that have influenced their own music.

''Not many bands seem to record their own versions of other band's songs, and we decided it would be fun to pay homage to the band's that have made us who are today. We wanted to pick out songs that haven't been covered to death and make those sound like Phantomy songs'' says drummer Herkko Lappalainen.

With asskicking covers of Mötley Crüe's Live Wire, Iron Maiden's 2 Minutes to Midnight and Spinal Tap's Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight, Phantomy delivers a short but sweet package of full blown rock'n'roll madness.

''All of the songs turned out great of course. But I really think that especially Live Wire turned out to be a banger. We took a hair metal anthem, pumped it up with some steroids and gasoline and turned it into a heavy metal shredder. If you don't believe it, listen to our version on the EP!'' says lead vocalist Samu Karhu.

The band will be promoting the EP by playing shows at Runnirock and Hard Rock Korppi. Phantomy will inform about more shows on their social media channels.