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Ghost Avenue: Impact

Heavy Metal

2.5/5.0

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Pitch Black Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 25.01.2017

Four years on from their name change and second album Norway's Ghost Avenue returns with their third album, Impact, once more on the Pitch Black Records label. Frankly, the album is mostly a repeat of their previous material. Very little new ground has been broken. Ghost Avenue still plays very guitar forward classic heavy metal with a rock groove. So if you liked the old stuff, then the old is new once more.

Ghost Avenue

But I must have given Ghost Avenue the benefit of the doubt, or some modicum of generosity, on their last album. Listening to Impact, I can't enjoy vocalist Kim Sandvik's voice: too raw, scratchy, and screamo, even sneering. Even now as I listen a second time, I don't want to listen. I want him to stop singing. That's a sad commentary but I'm only being honest. Additionally, when combined with the sharpness of the riffage, Ghost Avenue begins to sound like the equivalent of finger nails going across a slate chalkboard. Ouch. The irony here is that for basic and classic heavy metal, Ghost Avenue delivers the goods. Great twin guitar harmony, and furious leads live in their heavy metal sound. As for the songs, they're headbangers from start to finish. There's no room for pussy anthems or ballads. If I could point to one song of interest it would be Affection, for the terrific and prominent bass line throughout. Otherwise, at this very moment and conclusion of this review, I have stopped listening to Ghost Avenue's Impact, and it won't be played again.

Ghost Avenue - Impact

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

At this very moment and conclusion of this review, I have stopped listening to Ghost Avenue's Impact, and it won't be played again.

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Now entering their second decade in music biz, Sweden's Wildness returns with latest and fourth studio album, Avenger. Band personnel has remained consistent for the last four years with the addition of Erik ... [ Read More ]