Fantômas (Fantômas album)

Fantômas (Fantômas album) refers to the self-titled debut album by the avant-garde metal band Fantômas, released in 1999. The album is characterized by its experimental nature, eschewing traditional song structures in favor of a cinematic and often chaotic collage of sounds. Led by vocalist Mike Patton, the album features Dave Lombardo on drums, Buzz Osborne on guitar, and Trevor Dunn on bass.

The album distinguishes itself through its absence of lyrics. Instead, Patton employs a wide array of vocalizations, including screams, whispers, and guttural noises, to convey the intended atmosphere and narrative. The music itself blends elements of metal, jazz, noise, and avant-garde composition, creating a challenging and unsettling listening experience.

The album's artwork, featuring unsettling imagery, complements the music's disturbing and surreal qualities. Though divisive among listeners, Fantômas is considered a significant work in the realm of experimental metal and a key release in Fantômas's discography. It established the band's unique sound and set the stage for their subsequent albums.