siLLy puPPy PIKE 137 - HIDEOUS PHANTASM is the 36th album released by BUCKETHEAD in 2015. Another all instrumental album performed entirely by BUCKETHEAD and clocks in at 29:59. This one contains three long tracks and has the coolest fiery red cover.

The title track starts things off and clocks in at 9:57. This is a heavy alternative metal rocker that has the now familiar alternating riffs and solos. It has a few progressive time sig changes here and there but is pretty much a standard BUCKETHEAD jam complete with a few breaks that have the echoey guitar arpeggios. OK, well performed but nothing to sell your kidneys over.

The second track “Vessel” is the longest track clocking in at 17:43 and is another alternative metal rocker however this one is bit more grungy down-tuned and has a more fuzzy atmosphere. It is also nothing special and continue a long and predictable trek down the alternative highway with lots of repetitive riffing, lots of heard-this-all-before soloing and not much else. Meh, quite boring actually. Super meh.

The final track “Glass Shade” is a mere 2:19 in length and has a really brutal grungy riff that begins with a highly distorted lead guitar. I like this one a lot better. I has a nice beat, interesting distortions and seems like it fits the title HIDEOUS PHANTASM much more effectively than the other two sub-simmerers. Pretty much the only track i really like on this one. 2 stars