“Slave to the trauma we’ve been subjected to.“
Tribe of Ghosts offer a smart take on the genres they are adapting. They do modern synth-charged metalcore that brims with detail, but does not change ideas at every possible turn. Shades of pop shine through, tempered with a smarter approach to songwriting than typical structures would provide. You can even see their approach to heavy music as a continuation of prog or post metal, realised in flourishing technicolour rather than shades of drab distortion. CITY is their debut LP, composed of singles they’ve drip fed over the past two years, and demonstrates their uncommon ambition and ear for future sound.
Opener “CITY” is a fittingly grim overture for the record. This isn’t just any walk-on song, it’s an extremely effective immersion into the grimey landscape that Tribe of Ghosts hope to suffocate you in. Downtuned guitars grind out an angry rhythm, shrill synths shake the walls, and at the end, sub bass rolls like thunder. “HIVE” is the first ‘normal’ format track that find the band in full swing. The mix of deep guitar and high register synths are expertly mixed, each making its own impact to make a deliciously detailed soundscape. Whilst the riffs are fast and the sounds, they don’t stop an idea too soon or too late; each riff finds its natural length. If you’re exhausted with heavy bands expecting you to follow the minutae of every riff idea they could fit in, this approach could be the antidote. Another smart move is how “HIVE” declines to reprise its catchy opening verses and extends the bridge into a snarling breakdown, Adam Sedgwick taking the mic with his powerful gutturals (“We are equal / all animals equal / under the boot / under the boot of one”).
“STARGAZER” follows and continues to indicate that Tribe of Ghosts have some smart ideas when it comes to structure. Starting with an ostensibly Cult of Luna rhythm, the track features clean vocals from both singers and chilling breaks with beats and queasy samples. A swaggering outro leads to “FALSE GODS”, previously only out in a single format, now fleshed out to nearly six minutes. It offers the record’s catchiest moments and most unhinged the electronic bleeps, adding gleefully disruptive melody to the breakdown. Beccy Blaker’s voice is ridiculously expressive and delivers the hooks with character. Closing out side one with the most unusual track yet, “COLD” alternates light to heavy, building up bigger each time. The final beatdown features a harrowing performance from Blaker as she cackles “Don’t you fucking touch me”. It’s a fascinating delivery that no doubts drawing on personal experiences, reclaiming trauma in a way that will resonate with many listeners.
CITY continues after a two minute breather – “DESOLATION WILL BE THEIR ONLY REWARD” – which turns out not to be a breather, and is in fact a twisted breakdown with chaotic keys and wheezing static. “REIGN” is another track that explores post metal in the Tribe of Ghosts style, fitting an epic tale into five minutes. It’s a ballad of sorts, with Blaker and Sedgwick vocals shining crystal clean across the track. These clean vocals become the key ingredient in the later stretch,showing the contemplative side of CITY. “FLOAT DOWN” builds toward an incredible dual vocal performance followed by a rare high register shred. It’s so dramatic that it could have closed the record on its own, but that is left to “A LESSON LEARNT IN SILENCE”, a generally less heavy track that pulls back from the distortion and allows both singers to entwine for the last time.
CITY is a brillitant record with fresh takes on every aspect of modern heavy metal. Excellent performances, inventive songwriting, fresh sounds and a measured approach to all of this – it’s all you can ask for from a debut band. Tribe of Ghosts deserve lots of attention for this one.
8.5/10
CITY drops today, 14th October.