A band unafraid to stare straight into the illusion of modern reality. CHONTARAZ return with “Phantom Of Reality”, an album bursting with intensity, theatricality, and metallic truth.
With Fotis Benardo on drums and production, the Norwegian act evolves into an international force, blending cinematic atmosphere, industrial energy, and raw emotion. Speaking to Metalwar.gr and Joanna Gonas, the band shares their vision, fire and the new era that marks their rebirth a chapter where Norway meets Greece through the most authentic sound of today’s Metal scene.
Metalwar: CHONTARAZ consists of strong and distinct personalities: Chontaraz on vocals, Ahkon on guitar, Narwhal on drums and production, and Noxærias on bass. How do these different backgrounds and creative forces collide or complement each other when working on something as layered and intense as ‘Phantom of Reality’?
Ahkon: Chontaraz and I have written all the songs on Phantom of Reality, just like we’ve done on previous releases.
I primarily work on riffs, structure, and atmosphere, while Chontaraz develops the conceptual universe and lyrics. We’ve worked together for over a decade, and there’s a kind of intuitive interplay between us that underpins everything. Narwhal (Fotis Benardo) originally joined to record drums and mix the album.
But he ended up co-producing it with us and became a key figure in shaping the final sound. He brings extreme rhythmic precision and an industrial weight that elevated our expression to a new level. He pushes hard — and that makes us better.
The bass parts on the album were recorded by me (Ahkon), but Noxærias (Kostas Mexis)
joined the band shortly afterward. He’s taken over live and brings a brutal groove, massive presence, and raw energy that’s given the band an extra gear on stage. And one incredible upside of our new Greek members — both Fotis and Kostas — is that they’re also vocalists. That has added a whole new dimension to our live performance,
and you’ll likely hear more of that on the next record.
Chontaraz: There are contrasts between us, but that’s exactly what makes it real. We challenge each other.
Everyone has different musical backgrounds, but we share one intention: to create something that feels real and unlike anything else. Phantom of Reality is a result of that friction — and that mutual respect.
Metalwar: ‘Phantom of Reality’ explores the tension between reality and illusion. If you had to give up one — either cold reality, or the illusion/interpretation of it — which would you choose, and why?
Ahkon: It’s tempting to say illusion, because reality can be harsh and chaotic. But truthfully, we need illusion.
It gives us hope, creativity — and art. Illusion is how we survive reality. Without it, we’d be trapped in something brutal and grey. That’s not where music lives.
Chontaraz: Illusion isn’t a lie — it’s an alternative truth. A deeper one, maybe. Art, theatre, and music helps us transform reality. But illusions can also be dangerous. We live in a time when “fake” often feels more real than truth. Phantom of Reality is about that struggle.
We don’t try to pick a side — we show the full picture and let the listener decide: What do YOU want to believe?
Metalwar: Given the album’s themes, if you had to choose one song that best represents who you are as a band in 2025 — in sound and identity — what would it be? And which track least represents you now?
Chontaraz: “Flick of Time” captures a lot of who we are right now. It’s dynamic, emotionally deep, and balances aggression with melody — a strong reflection of who we’ve become.
Ahkon: Musically, it shows the direction we’ve taken — modern metal with industrial textures and epic choruses.
As for the song that represents us least today, probably “Kingpin.” It leans more old-school, groove-based and straight-forward. It doesn’t quite reflect the darker, more atmospheric intensity we’re currently focused on.
Metalwar: During the creation of Phantom of Reality, did you ever feel like you lost your grip on what’s real — either in the studio, or through the band’s theatrical elements? How do you stay grounded?
Ahkon: We constantly walk the line between reality and illusion. When working in a world as dark and symbolic as ours, it’s easy to get lost. During the recording process, there were definitely moments when I lost track of time — especially when shaping moods with industrial textures and synths. But that’s when the music feels most alive.
Chontaraz: That’s why we stay grounded in intention. We remind each other why we’re doing this: to communicate something real through something theatrical. We’re not creating a mask — we’re creating an amplified reality. When sound and vision merge, it becomes a ritual. But our feet stay planted in the bond between us.
Metalwar: If someone said CHONTARAZ is more about the story than the music, how would you respond? Where does one end and the other begin?
Ahkon: We totally understand why people focus on the story — it’s a big part of our universe. But for us, story and music are two sides of the same coin. We build soundscapes that feel like the world we’re describing. If it doesn’t hit musically, the story falls flat — and vice versa.
Chontaraz: Exactly. The story gives sound meaning, and the sound gives the story muscle. We don’t just want to tell you something — we want you to feel it. Our shows, lyrics, videos — they all work together. But none of it matters if the music doesn’t punch first.
Metalwar: With your collaboration across Norway and Greece, which cultural element from outside the typical metal scene (like philosophy, mythology, daily life) has unexpectedly shaped your music the most?
Ahkon: It’s important to note that Phantom of Reality was written before the Greek element became a real part of our DNA. So everything expressed on that album — “Face the Fake,” “Flick of Time,” the title track — comes from lived experience. We’ve always focused on exploring what’s real, and what’s just façade.
Chontaraz: We don’t filter our lyrics through ideology or culture — we filter them through life. When you’ve been in this business long enough, and in life, you realize reality is often a constructed game. Those insights shaped Phantom of Reality. If traces of philosophy or reflection show up in our music, it’s because it lives in us — not because we set out to insert it.
Metalwar: When writing lyrics — or even structuring songs — how often do you feel surprised by where the song ends up? Do they ever take control of you, instead of the other way around?
Ahkon: Happens all the time. We start with a riff or a theme thinking we know what it is — but the song starts developing its own personality.
Chontaraz: Some songs decide for themselves what they want to become. Something raw might evolve into something atmospheric. It’s a natural progression. We don’t force it — we follow it. That’s true of lyrics too. There’s always a dance between conscious and unconscious intention. That’s where the magic is.
Metalwar: You collaborated with Sakis Tolis on “Scream.” What did he bring that changed the track — and did his presence make you rethink your own identity on that song?
Ahkon: Sakis was at Devasoundz Studios working on a new Rotting Christ track when we were recording “Scream.” He heard the track and simply asked if we wanted him to add vocals to the chorus. Total goosebumps. We hadn’t imagined that exact vibe — but what he did lifted the song to a whole new level.
Chontaraz: It gave the track an extra dimension. We didn’t have to change our identity, but it reminded us how powerful collaboration can be when it’s natural. We weren’t hunting for guest spots — but when it’s Sakis Tolis, and it feels right, you say yes.
Metalwar: If “General Chontaraz” stepped out of the concept world into ours, what would he say to modern listeners about authenticity?
Chontaraz: He’d say: Face the Fake. We’re drowning in filters, illusions, curated realities. He’d challenge people to strip it all back and seek what’s real — in themselves, in others, in life.
Ahkon: That’s the core of Phantom of Reality — how fragile the line between truth and illusion has become. Tracks like “Flick of Time” and “Face the Fake” are warnings. Don’t live inside someone else’s narrative. Create your own.
Be uncomfortable if you have to. But be real.
Metalwar: You’ve invented your own language in some lyrics. Do you think art might need a new language to say what ordinary words can’t?
Ahkon: Music stretches beyond words. Sometimes English just isn’t enough — not heavy enough, not strange enough. That’s when we use our own language.
Chontaraz: It’s not to sound cryptic — it’s to express what regular language can’t. When a feeling doesn’t exist in words, we invent one. Fun fact: “Chontaraz” comes from our constructed language. It means “controversial.”
We wear it proudly.
Metalwar: Technology plays a big role in your music. Where do you draw the line between enhancing emotion and losing the human soul of the performance?
Ahkon: Technology is a double-edged sword. It gives us precision — from massive layers to subtle details. But without real emotion, it’s meaningless.
Chontaraz: We’re not chasing perfection — we’re chasing impact. Technology should amplify the human, not replace it. When things sound too “clean,” we go back and dirty it up. Imperfections — like breath in vocals, raw guitar tones — they make it feel alive.
Metalwar: You emphasize theatricality and storytelling. How do you balance being “seen” and “heard” — and could the visual ever outweigh the music?
Ahkon: Visuals and sound are not separate for us — they’re one universe. Songs like “Face the Fake” need a matching visual intensity. Lights, costumes, stage design — they reinforce the message. But sound always comes first.
Chontaraz: The visuals don’t overshadow — they enhance. Our aesthetic isn’t decoration. It’s an extension of the soul of our songs. Today, people often “see” before they “hear.” We want to give them a full experience — where sight and sound collide.
Metalwar: Narwhal (Fotis Benardo) is both your drummer and producer. How did this dual role shape the emotional pacing of the album? Did it create tension — or freedom?
Ahkon: Having Fotis in both roles changed everything. The emotional pacing came from within. Every groove was shaped by someone who felt it from behind the kit and had full sonic vision.
Chontaraz: It gave the record organic intensity. We weren’t limited — we had instant flow. Raw vs polish? Those talks didn’t create tension — they created clarity. The mix reflects that: aggressive, cinematic, honest, tight.
And above all — he’s just a phenomenal human being. Calm, focused, experienced.
We’re lucky to call him a bandmate and a friend. Having him in CHONTARAZ is a true scoop.
Metalwar: Your tracks mix brutal and clean vocals, industrial and melodic layers. How do you decide when to hold back or flood the mix? Is it planned, or revealed during recording?
Ahkon: It often starts with a vision or emotion. But there’s no formula. We never decide in advance if it’s clean or brutal — we listen to what the song needs. If it doesn’t feel natural, we don’t do it.
Chontaraz: Dynamics reveal themselves. Some parts need space. Others need full force. We build in layers, tear them down, and follow the vibe. It’s never about genre — it’s about emotion and wholeness.
Metalwar: Now that Phantom of Reality is out and your lineup is solid, what’s next — musically, visually, conceptually? Any wild experiments coming?
Chontaraz: This summer has been incredible. Festival crowds have been wild. The feedback has been overwhelming.
It tells us what we’re doing matters — and that it has a place in today’s metal world.
Big things are coming — more news soon. And yes, we’re already deep into writing new material. The fire never stops.
Ahkon: And Greece… we’re working on something special for our second home. Nothing set in stone — but we’re coming. Can’t wait to bring CHONTARAZ to our Greek brothers and sisters.
Chontaraz: We also want to give a huge shout-out to our incredible Greek crew, who have been absolutely essential in elevating both the sonic and visual expression of the band. Vasilis Pappas (sound), Chris Bonos (lights), and Aris Karatzas (stage technician) operate at an incredibly high level. They don’t just make sure everything runs smoothly
— they actively enhance the CHONTARAZ experience on stage and off.
It’s a gift to have such dedicated and skilled people by our side.
Chontaraz: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us and for including CHONTARAZ in Metal War by Jo.
We’re honored to be part of your universe.
These kinds of interviews mean a lot to us — they allow people to look past the surface and into the fire that drives what we do.
Phantom of Reality is just the beginning. More is coming.
See you on the road — and hopefully very soon in Greece.
Until then, make sure to follow us on Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to stay updated.
You’ll find all links and latest news at www.chontaraz.com.
Interview – Text: Joanna Gonas
