Review: The Ghost Next Door ‘Classic Songs Of Death And Dismemberment’
This has a slightly different feel to most albums that I tend to listen to from my favourite label, Ripple Music, as it fuses many different sounds from alternative to doom metal. The latest album from The Ghost Next Door has that dark, heady and more progressive feel to it, spread across thirteen new tracks, with groove and riffs emboldened throughout.
Hailing from the Bay Area, the birthplace of thrash, and fronted by guitarist and vocalist Gary Wendt, Classic Songs Of Death And Dismemberment is fuelled by an inextinguishable sonic fire and politically charged exploration, they have a sense of melancholy in their music, It Takes A Village is a fine example of this, but then explode into life with the brilliant Diatribe.
Alongside guitarist Aaron Asghari, Wendt describes the album as ‘a bit more progressive and varied, somewhat adventurous’ and this comes across in the songs. With the opening of DK, you get a jazz sense which adds something different to the overall sound, but it fits the diversity that they are striving for. Lyrically, the songs are exploring themes of death, destruction and human villainy, all cheerful subject matters, but as Wendt says, ‘I give a fuck’ and the music reflects this.
fuelled by an inextinguishable sonic fire and politically charged exploration…
There are several stand out tracks for me, Nothing Then Nothing Again is excellent, and has more of that Ripple Music feel to it, with the bassline from interim member Naiya Cominos, adding so much direction to the composition. Atlas is another one where the direction shifts and has several shoegaze moments to mix with the progressive style in the ninety-second purely instrumental song. And I Am The Monster has that aggressive, angry riff driven feel to it that with excite people when they listen to it.
My favourite track is probably First Person Shooter, tackling a difficult subject area head on, but it’s handled exceptionally well lyrically, and the song flows effortlessly, with the subtle electronic programming building a different dimension to the music. It all adds to the contrast of genres that each member brings to the table, from punk to jazz, progressive metal to slowcore, modern rock to thrash.
Overall, it’s a well-rounded album, that sees the band throw their musical passions and interests into a melting pot which they’ve embraced to create a fine record.
Label: Ripple Music
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Matthew Williams
