Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Ghost Inside, The - Searching for Solace (2024)

The Ghost Inside have had one h*ll of a journey, complete with obstacles to beat and of course, solace to search for. They already made it to album #6, with themes ranging from anthemic motivation to COVID-induced isolation, all in Searching for Solace!

It's often difficult to follow up the perfection of one album, let alone two albums. Searching for Solace comes close to continuing the glory of Dear Youth and their self-titled fifth album. Getting over the trauma of their 2015 bus crash may be challenging, but the emotion spawned from there is let out in their songs for great enhancement. And they have different roads to take in a smooth breeze.

Opening track "Going Under" is a reflective tune with powerful metalcore momentum. "Death Grip" is a crushing track suitable for the mosh-pit, especially in the chorus, "Don’t need a life line, I've got a death grip!" Then we have the broader "Light Years". That song and "Secret" have the downtuned guitars and background synths of Parkway Drive.

"Split" is one of the heaviest and most hardcore tracks the band has done to date. I mean, listen to Architects, Hatebreed, or Knocked Loose, and you might find a lot that song has in common with any of those bands. Things get more accessible in the clean "Wash It Away" with catchy singalong choruses. "Cityscapes" is the most ballad-like song the band has ever done. It is dedicated to vocalist Jonathan Vigil's father who passed away while the band was in Australia during the Get What You Give tour. I'm not into a lot of ballads, but that one is truly moving. "Earn It" has more of the mid-tempo metalcore heaviness of Hatebreed and Upon a Burning Body.

The earlier heavy machinery is brought up again in "Wrath". Same with "Reckoning", which is fine, but it seems like they're trying too hard to look back at their past sound. But hey, they can just be themselves. Finally, we have the superb "Breathless". Just listen to the music and lyrics and let them guide you through. "These days are numbered, so keep on screaming until our hearts break."

For two decades, The Ghost Inside are determined to reign in the modern metalcore scene. Searching for Solace is another solid entry to their catalog. The band will make that their story ain't over and we will have more to look forward to in the future. We have their word!

Favorites: "Going Under", "Secret", "Split", "Cityscapes", "Earn It", "Breathless"