Great American Ghost are a metalcore band dawning from Boston, Massachusetts with four EPs and three albums already under the belt. Power Through Terror was their most recently released album earlier this month. After listening to the album, there is no doubt why the band has been labeled with maintaining the raw elements of heavy underground, while still making ways to becoming the next “big” thing in the hardcore scene.
The album is filled with breakdowns, a mix low grows, inhale screams, and did I mention amazing breakdowns already? That doesn’t even touch the build up throughout the album and how each song creates a greater energy than the one previous. From the fast paced drums and heavy guitar that only enhances the songs, to the aggressive lyrics and on some portions religious undertones, the album is definitely one that I can see gaining praise from all around.
Some of the songs that stood out to me were “Altar of Snakes”, “Socialized Animals”, and “Black Winter.” The first because it was honestly the song in the album, if you listen in order, the “hooks” the listener. I really liked the religious undertone of “Altar of Snakes,” and the line “make praise to the altar of snakes” repeated during a slowed down breakdown was an interesting element.
“Socialized Animals” and “Black Winter” were admittedly my favorite songs off the album. Between the heavy aggression, killer lines like “I’d rather die for nothing than be afraid to die // I’d rather believe in nothing than beg for my fucking life” and “This is our setting sun // this is our live or die” showcase the lyrcism that runs throughout the entire album. While “Socialized Animals” doesn’t have a breakdown it makes up for it with an amazing guitar solo, and “Black Winter’s” background recording about an AI had the scifi geek in me headbanging and happy.
Overall, Power Through Terror is a solid album and I do think it will continue to do successfully along with the band itself. You can stream it below.
