To say that industrial/post-metal four-piece TRIBE OF GHOSTS have been causing a stir in the world of alternative music would be a huge understatement. Their ingenious and innovative approach to combining an array of sounds leaves anyone who comes across them speechless, whether that’s in a live setting or listening to their music. Their upcoming debut album City is only further proof of this: the collection of songs paints a very grim picture of a dystopian world falling apart, and they do it beautifully.
The band waste no time opening with title track City. The song drags you by the ankles into this dystopian world, whether you are ready for it or not. It doesn’t matter how many times you listen to it; you are still caught off guard by this heart-stopping, raw, and atmospheric track. After this, you enter the chaotic sounding Hive. This was one of the single releases, and it does a remarkable job of emulating what an actual hive would sound like. I interpret that as a great metaphor for what goes on inside your head when it’s chaotic.
While each track is very different from the others, there is a consistent trend among the songs that makes them link together well: namely the unstoppable vocal talents of Beccy Blaker and Adam Sedgewick, with each technique used for each track fitting in effortlessly. Fans of the band are already aware that you can’t predict what TRIBE OF GHOSTS will release next, and for those reading this who want to find out more, the single releases Hive, False Gods, Reign, and Cold give a great picture of how diverse their sound is. The rest of the album is equally as chaotic as the single releases, and keeps you on your toes.
My first thought when listening to the track Stargazer was, “Is this how it would sound if Hans Zimmer had a go at writing a doom metal song?” This is due to the clever combination of majestic orchestration alongside sludgy guitars. The song perks up later with the electronic sounds that TRIBE OF GHOSTS have become known for. The muddy production at the beginning of this track works within the chaos and theme of the album. It’s a track that allows you to reflect on things while demanding your full attention.
Float Down brings back the nostalgia of ’00s metal bands such as LINKIN PARK and BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE. The poetic lyrics alongside haunting arrangements work so well, and do an amazing job of bringing out the image of the surviving population having their last moments of peace before being recovered and rescued.
The album ends on a celebration of survival with the closer A Lesson Learnt in Silence. I personally love the throwback to ’90s/’00s rock, with a twist of post-apocalyptic vibes, that this track gives off. While there is an air of celebration, there is also despair and sadness on what chaos this apocalypse has brought.
City is a heart-stopping debut album that demands your undivided attention. While listening to their sound caught me off guard multiple times, I still don’t want to give too much away. It was quite difficult not to spill every single thought about this record. Whether you’re a fan of the band or are now intrigued after reading this review, this is an album every metalhead needs to hear.
Rating: 10/10
Words: Lotty Whittingham
City is out this Monday.
Find TRIBE OF GHOSTS on Facebook.
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