Ghost Key, as a hardcore band, are already in a saturated market but ‘If I Don’t Make It’ is set to label them as ones to watch and it won’t be long before they’re wriggling above the flood of other similar artists and surfing safely to success. Whether it’s the real life attitude of ‘Solstice’, reflecting on the past whilst still looking forward, a sentiment that everyone can relate to and appreciate or the musicianship throughout, this band, having supported the likes of Beartooth, are going places.
The running theme of this album is a relatively under looked one in society – that of depression. Although support and acceptance are more common place, there still lacks that connectivity with other illnesses that are perhaps more ‘fashionable’ or relatable to those that do not suffer, either directly or indirectly through loved ones. Vocalist Austin O’Brien has talked openly about his dealings with depression and it is this openness that will over time, help others to share and allow for the associated stigma of depression to be removed. The vocalist in previously released ‘3:33’ talks directly about a friend’s suicide and that after his passing, O’Brien realised he was dealing with mental illness and depression.
Musically, the first thing to state is that the album is intricately polished. ‘Solstice’ is one of the best tracks on the album, the growly vocals of O’Brien akin to Sam from Architects but with a Comeback Kid glaze. The scaled back, vocal only section midway through creates energy before the searing guitars build towards a spoken word release as O’Brien screams his feelings all over the wall.
The pace of this album is furious. The punch drum of ‘ Dead Man’ will get every hardcore kid off their feet, but the guitar also has a lazy (in a good way), polished, Sunday afternoon feel, that carries you away, before the sludgy hardcore beat returns to knock you off your feet. ‘Embrace’ continues this sentiment with stellar musicianship and meaningful vocal delivery; poignant lyrics such as being “trapped in a cycle, no way to break away”, the eventual breakdown familiar if you like bands like While She Sleeps.
The album’s name is also deeply important and integral to the overall sentiment of depression and coping. O’Brien states in ‘If I Don’t Make It’ that “If I don’t make it…at least you’ll have these songs” which evokes a feeling of empathy not only for O’Brien but for everyone struggling with these issues. Depression is commonplace and no one should be ashamed to talk about it.
‘Dying To Sleep’ has an incredible last minute, which simply destroys the hairs on the neck, the powerful riffs enough to carry the song out with crazy pit imagery coming to mind, whilst the album cover depicts burning flowers seen on the cover of their first EP. This metaphor eloquently portrays their journey as a band through several of life’s cambers. Ghost Key are very much looking to the future, and they hope you can join them.
DAVE BULL