REVIEW: Great American Ghost - Power Through Terror
Artist: Great American Ghost
Album: Power Through Terror
With an election year upon us, there’s no better time than to examine the word power—or, even more importantly—what makes a leader powerful? Is it the same thing as being a good leader to be a powerful one? Not really (although being a good leader is arguably one of the largest testaments to power one can accrue over their citizens). Is a leader powerful through commanding respect? Or obtaining obedience? Or maybe a delicate blend of both? As we decide who next we (for the Americans among my readership) put into power, its important to keep the connotations that follow in mind, even if it isn’t so simple as a textbook definition. What is simple, though? Deriving the sheer energy and force from the sophomore release by metalcore outfit Great American Ghost. The aptly named Power Through Terror is a tremendous record that instills bewilderment and—yes—terror through its shocking abrasiveness and rugged ruthlessness. In short, if you wanted to get a feel for power, you can find it in Great American Ghost, as their 2020 album is an immense testament to just how powerful and punishing heavy music can be.
PowerThrough Terror is a powerhouse,no pun intended. Instrumentally, this record starts with a neck-snapping doseof whiplash and doesn’t let up until “No More” fades. From salvo after salvo ofcrushing percussion (“Rat King,” as well as “Rivers of Blood” highlight thisexcellently) to spastic leads that segue into spine-splitting breakdowns,everything Great American Ghost do on PowerThrough Terror is an exercise in metalcore mastery. Continuing to build ontheir moniker of “always hateful, always pissed,” these Bostonian brutalizersswing away with a combination of blistering hardcore and sharp, cutthroat metalthat leaves a raw, gritty feel in the listener’s head, matching their raw takeon extreme music. Songs like “Rat King” hammer this home, where ravenouspercussion serves as a punctual backdrop for a series of immense breakdownsstrung together by catchy fretwork and beefy, thick bass. Likewise, “ScorchedEarth” is among the more straightforward cuts from Power Through Terror, heiring more on the side of terror, as it features the record’s mostmonumental and grisly moments. “Socialized Animals” sees Great American Ghostembracing the more metallic aspect ofmetalcore, hitting faster instead of harder, relying on dancy drum patterns andstellar leads to find its way into the listener’s head. With all this beingsaid, it’s worth mentioning: Great American Ghost definitely have a style, andduring some portions of Power ThroughTerror, the listener might find the band a little predictable, for lack ofa better word. While the band at no point dive into full-blown monotony, “BlackWinter” and “WarBorn,” both excellent tracks in their own right otherwise feela little lost in the mix, as they feel very similar to a majority of the recordinstrumentally. In truth, even those songs are incredible—as Great AmericanGhost have truly created one of the most energetic and vigorous metalcorerecords in recent history.
Great American Ghost boast animmense vocal performance, even without over-the-top vocal diversity or range. Power Through Terror has the raw,emotional voracity one might expect from late-career Vanna with the dark andaggressive lyrical subject matter one might expect from a contemporarydeathcore act. Songs like “Rat King” and “Scorched Earth” are nothing short of immolating.“Socialized Animals” feels more political (in keeping with the themes of power, and, depending on your political inclinations,terror) and less outright pissed withthe record’s title track finding a sweet spot in the balance. Vocally, you won’thear ten different subtypes of “tunnel lows” or any gimmicky techniques; youwill hear 100% unfiltered and primal energy. “Scorched Earth” is a personalfavorite of this, but even from the get-go of “Rat King,” the listener can veryquickly feel that. Great American Ghost capture the eviscerating dynamicspresent on their breakout full-length while still stepping things up, addingeven more intensity into the mix.
It’s quick to write Power Through Terror off as aslightly-better-than-above-average metalcore record with a couple solid tracks—however,if you give Great American Ghost the chance, they will blow you away. Everysong on the record brings something to the band’s overall dynamic and—if nothingelse—enough heaviness to sink Noah’s Ark. At the end of the day, Power Through Terror is varied in itsintensity, lyrical content and metalcore stylings enough to keep even thepickiest fans occupied, all while largely omitting the type of monotony thatcomes standard with most contemporary heavy music acts.
9/10
For Fans Of: Vanna, Knocked Loose,Distinguisher
Connor Welsh