Ghost Key

The Things I Am Not EP

Written by: MBC on 01/11/2015 00:28:57

“The Things I Am Not” is the third EP release from Illinois-based hardcore band Ghost Key, since its formation in 2011. With the backing of No Sleep Records and having been a part of strong tour line-ups recently with the likes of Shai Hulud and Conveyer, the future seems bright for the young band. Ghost Key’s emotional, melodic hardcore fits well with such line-ups, and if this 4-song EP is any kind of indicator of the band’s abilities as song writers, then a future full length release is bound to be incredible.

On this EP, Ghost Key give props to a spoken word artist by featuring him on the song “Dismantle”. The poet by the name of Keyoung gets the honour of starting the EP off with a short, but strong and emotional performance with lyrics that even contain the title of the EP: “I spent a half life staring faceless, wearing a crown of bruises made of the things I am not, a noose knotted with past regrets that rubbed my throat raw. So I cut myself loose from my own expectations, with pride I wear that neckline scar”. His passionate vocal delivery is backed by sombre guitar tones that are soon switched to hard-hitting riffs and the ferocious screaming of vocalist Austin O’Brien. Including a spoken word poet is a cool thing for a band to do and it works really well here, as it has on releases from bands like For Today and Mouth Of The South as well. In his delivery, Keyoung sets the tone for the EP which is a dark and aggressive release with a genuine sense of desperation and angst.

As is usually the case with these melodic hardcore bands, the songs of Ghost Key deal with what seems to be very personal matters. It is always fascinating to witness just how much detail these bands are willing to go into when writing the lyrical content, and it seems that Ghost Key are willing to delve deep. The songs tell stories of family struggles and battling inner demons which fit perfectly with the both sombre and aggressive nature of the songs. The lyrics are passionately conveyed through Austin O’Brien’s distressed screaming that varies from staccato to slower, more prolonged notes and even an almost spoken word delivery on the track “Choir Boy”. Much like O’Brien’s vocal performance, the four songs overall vary in tempo with fast paced riffing and slow, melodic post-hardcore melodies. It all works and every song feels special. There is no filler material here, and the EP can be enjoyed in its entirety again and again.

The fact that the EP only contains four songs is really its only weakness, as more material would have been appreciated. But all four songs are so strong that they work as a tremendous teaser for a future full length release, which is hopefully coming soon. “The Things I Am Not” is not a groundbreaking release by far, it is just a really good melodic hardcore EP that is sure to please fans of bands like Defeater, Counterparts and Conveyer.

Download: All four songs
For the fans of: Defeater, Counterparts, Have Heart, Conveyer, The Carrier
Listen: Facebook

Release date 30.06.2015
No Sleep Records

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