The Ghost Inside – Returners
Perfect. That’s pretty much all I can say about The Ghost Inside’s second full length album, Returners. Calling Los Angeles their home, this incredible five piece is truly talented beyond belief. The only exposure I’ve had to these guys is vocalist Jonathan Vigil’s guest vocals on Hundredth’s When Will We Surrender. And although I really enjoyed that album, I didn’t expect anything amazing from Returners; but let me tell you, amazing is exactly what I got! This album has everything you could ask for; not only from a record, but also from a band. These guys deliver melodic hardcore that’s so catchy, you’ll find yourself singing along even when you don’t know the words.
According to Vigil, Returners is a concept album based on his experience from being on the road and “returning” to important places and people in his life, only to find out that they’ve changed. Vigil states that “no matter how naive [he wants] to be about it, we live in an ever changing world and as much as [he wishes] things could stay ideal forever, its human evolution.” I found it to be a very interesting and bold idea for an album.
From the first track (which is an instrumental), “Walk Away From The World”, to the last, “Truth and Temper”, Returners is full of chunky riffs, loads of bottom end, and KC’s god-like drumming. Lead axe swingers Aaron Brooks and Zach Johnson are both incredibly talented musicians that really deserve time in the genre’s limelight. Their scorching chugging (Hatebreed style) is just plain ridiculous, combining lightning fast riffs and totally deadly breakdowns. Every track on the album delivers devastation, and flows together well to create an awesome combination of gut punches.
Worth noting is the fact that Matt Bruso (ex-Bury Your Dead) contributes guest vocals in “Chrono”. The concept of the song itself is about how we spend the first part of our lives wanting it to speed up, only to spend the rest of our lives wanting it to slow down.
On the production side of things, there isn’t much else I can say other than everything is top notch in all aspects. In my opinion, production can either make or break a band, and this album doesn’t disappoint.
Although The Ghost Inside might not be true trendsetters in terms of doing something that’s never been done before, Returners is an album that has enough going for it that it should be remembered years from now. If you’re into good melodies and big chunky grooves, then this album is definitely for you.
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14 Comments
April 17th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
i can't wait for this album
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April 17th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Puff-T, let me tell you this…..BUY THIS ALBUM!
It is plain NASTY!
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April 18th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Puffs-T, Lee is correct. This album is well worth the wait. This album is the second album to get a 4.5 from me.
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April 21st, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Holy shit those previews got me so pumped for this, good review too!
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April 21st, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Hey The_End,
Rightfully so. This cd is sweeet! You won't be disappointed.
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April 24th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
This band continues to impress. Why are they not being recognised? Very few people know about this band. This band has everything anyone is looking for. Truth? Honesty? Anger? Real screaming?… I can not wait for the album. It is going to be incredible.
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April 27th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Stoked for this album.
"If you’re into good melodies and big chunky grooves, then this album is definitely for you."
Noted.
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May 5th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
these guys are soo good live and they have the funnest guitar riffs to play
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May 27th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I'm so stoked about this album. Really liked the review, and it made me long for it even more. And I totally agree with Diego. I know no one who listens to this band, when, in my opinion, everyone should know about them. I'm sure as hell buying this!
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June 4th, 2010 at 3:59 am
Good review! This album is awesome.
"this incredible four piece" – there's five of them in the picture!
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June 4th, 2010 at 10:46 am
@ Luke
You're right. How on earth did we miss that? Fixed!
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June 14th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
what The Ghost Inside "Returners" is missing in the credits and thank yous. the ENTIRE record was ENGINEERED/PRODUCED by Shane Frisby at The Brick HitHouse in Hyannis MA. the ENTIRE record was MIXED by PETE RUTCHO at DAMAGE STUDIOS. all keyboard/synth lines were written/recorded/mixed by PETE RUTCHO. on the actual CD it gives executive producer credit to the head of their label. wow. just wow. I'm sure Jonathan Vigil , Aaron Brooks , and Kc Stockbridge meant to thank Shane's family for giving them a roof over their heads and a place to shower for 3 weeks. now go out and buy the son of a bitch and turn it up to 11
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July 27th, 2010 at 12:54 am
@Luke the photo was taken when they were called A Dying Dream.
ps. im the biggest TGI fan. haha word.
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August 29th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Cannot express how fantastic this album and band are. Good GAWD.
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