Few and far between are the records that manage to successfully transcend multiple genres and styles, but also revisit nostalgic memories, rework old patterns, and recapture the magic of that first listen. Yet we’ve seen a number of great DIY bands, whose offerings have seen them gain a reasonable following in the underground scene. “Hourglass”, the newest LP from LA based emotive screamo / post hardcore act GHOST SPIRIT comes soon after their west coast tour with The Fall of Troy, succeeds in flipping our expectations and delivers a high quality experience that’s masterfully produced and passionately executed. Both sonically and thematically immense, the record explores the perception of social disillusionment, grief, failure, and loss, and we’re thrilled to give you its first full listen through the YouTube playlist or Bandcamp player below!
Based in Los Angeles and formed in 2016, featuring members of Lord Snow, Nuvolascura, Seeing Means More, Calculator, Elle, Raw Nerve, and Fight Fair. “Hourglass” is the third release, following 2018’s split LP with Nova Scotia’s Frail Hands and 2017’s debut S/T LP (Blue Swan). The record is slated for an October 18th, 2019 release via Twelve Gauge and Blue Swan Records and can be ordered now via Deathwish Inc. webstore.
Reteaming with grammy nominated producer Jack Shirley, the 8-track record leads with the blistering dissonant breakdowns of A Riddle, No Answer, then pulls you through a descent of heartfelt and urgent hardcore compositions. New member and scene veteran Nikolas Soelter (Calculator, Never Young) joins Niko Zaglaras (Lord Snow, Raw Nerve) on second guitar to bring an even more focused harsh sonic aesthetic than found on their previous self-titled LP as well as their split with Nova Scotia’s FrailHands. On the record’s climax Look To The Stars, Taylor Jewell’s (Nuvoluscara, Elle) kinetic and signature crushing drums along with Alex Bigman’s (Seeing Means More, Fight Fair) desperate screaming showcases the band’s roots with influences including Portraits of Past, Envy, and 7 Angels 7 Plagues. In a line of consistently intense releases, Ghost Spirit’s third LP solidifies their place in the community and puts the band in league with contemporaries Portrayal of Guilt, Loma Prieta, and ToucheAmore.
Artwork by M. Harrison of Aught / Void // Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Jack Shirley in late 2018/early 2019 in Oakland, CA. // GHOST SPIRIT is: Niko Zaglaras – Guitar; Alex Bigman – Vocals; Evan Henkel – Bass; Taylor Jewell – Drums; Nik Soelter – Guitar
Record release show for “Hoursglass” takes place tomorrow (!), October 11th at ABCO in Oakland, CA with Elle, State Faults, and Hawak!
