Phantom Glue hail from Boston and have existed in one form or another for some 15 years. It’d be a safe bet based on these two bits of information that they play some kind of metal/hardcore hybrid, in keeping with the heavy-music tradition that the region is known for — a tradition that has produced the likes of Cave In, Converge, and the Red Chord. In fact, Phantom Glue have specific ties to at least two of those bands. They’ve recorded with Converge’s Kurt Ballou, and released their previous album, 2012’s A War Of Light Cones, on the Red Chord frontman Guy Kozowyk’s Black Market Activities label.

This heritage informs Phantom Glue’s music, but they have a well-defined identity all their own, and 776, their upcoming full-length, is its clearest document to date. “Hundred Hand” kicks off with a romping power chord-driven riff sequence that you could imagine turning up on a High On Fire record after Matt Pike binge-listened to the Black Flag discography for a month, which gives way to a guitar melody that’s sunbeam-bright for this style of music. But the tune really kicks into high gear in its third act, when the band drops into a dissonant chasm of repetitive arpeggios that swirl around frontman Matt Oates’ distorted howling. It’s a chilling moment that evokes the eerie vibes of great black metal-inflected sludge acts like Coffinworm, Lord Mantis, and Unearthly Trance (the latter of whom recently reunited). You don’t see many intersections between these two musical traditions, and Phantom Glue take full advantage of their fruitful union on this excellent LP. Listen.

776 is out 5/13 via Negative Fun Records. Phantom Glue have a couple of regional live dates upcoming as well:

04/08 Allston, MA @ O’Briens Pub w/ Hepatagua, Jack Burton vs David Lo Pan and Upheaval
04/18 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East w/ Graves At Sea, Order Of The Owl and Forn