ALBUM REVIEW: The Ghost Inside – The Ghost Inside

There are few albums that come with as much anticipation as The Ghost Inside. This self-titled record represents the five year path to recovery the Californian band have taken since their tragic accident in 2015. The band were slowly building upon every release to become recognised as the pinnacle of melodic hardcore at the time thanks to their seminal Get What Your Give album and the equally excellent Dear Youth. THE GHOST INSIDE were going from strength to strength even back then, but finding your feet after such a painful accident and such a lengthy and arduous recovery time is a hard ask for anyone. But not an impossible one. 

From the instant 1333 kicks off with a drum solo the overwhelming sense of happiness is difficult to conceal. It sounds massive, and the song is an anger filled return to form that will stand up as one of the most triumphant album openers in history. Still Alive follows and immediately THE GHOST INSIDE are back to their former strength and then some. Both the heaviest and most melodic they have ever been, this is an entirely new beast of a band.

Pressure Point kicks the listener in the teeth with its lyrics and impact and serves as an early example of just how well written the album is, both musically and lyrically. Jonathan Vigil and the rest of the band have out done themselves on writing emotionally honest yet uplifting songs, something the band were already known for and have simply honed to the best it will potentially ever sound. More than ever, THE GHOST INSIDE sound more confident and unique than they ever have whilst retaining all their familiarity. With a plethora of intense feelings to mine from, The Ghost Inside is a glimpse into the mindset of a group of friends recovering from a life changing accident that derailed everything. Similar in a sense to BARONESS‘ Purple album, this is a direct glimpse into the soul of every member in the band, and every moment holds up as the best the band have penned yet. 

The overwhelming emotions are sewn deep throughout The Ghost Inside and between tracks like Aftermath, Unseen, and Phoenix Rise the themes of sacrifice, doubt, and tragedy are all touched upon but with a mature and eternally optimistic lens firmly applied at every turn. This is not a record that dwells on the past, instead focusing on the efforts we put to move forward, even in the face of things that will always slow us down, or try to kill us. It’s a powerful message and one that is poignantly applicable to so many music fans across the world today. For anyone who listened to THE GHOST INSIDE as a crutch to help them through life will rejoice at the return of a band as dedicated as ever. The band really do walk the walk. 

When everything is aided by the creative input of Will Putney and production from Jeremy Mckinnon it makes it all the more monstrous. This is some of the best production done by him and also the best they have ever sounded in their career, moving from the sometimes dulled sound of Dear Youth. And when the band are able to be as melodic as they get on tracks like One Choice or Begin Again whilst retaining all their energy and heft it helps make the band even more formidable when they do decide to bring the thunder and swing for the knockout. Make no mistake, THE GHOST INSIDE are not fucking around when it comes to just how heavy the album gets, as Unseen proves the band to be packing more punch than they ever have done.

The Ghost Inside will be a historic album. Not simply for the fact that it pushed THE GHOST INSIDE onto the top of the metalcore and hardcore scene as the reigning kings but also as a triumphant return for a band that meant so much to so many. There isn’t a dull moment on the record, nor a moment that doesn’t hit exactly as it is intended to. Frankly, this is as good as it gets when it comes to this sort of music and no one will ever get it as right as THE GHOST INSIDE do. 2020 might be a hellish time, but THE GHOST INSIDE are back and better than ever, and that is worth smiling about. 

Rating: 10/10

The Ghost Inside is set for release on June 5th via Epitaph Records.

Like THE GHOST INSIDE on Facebook.