Album Review: Ghost Bath - Rose Thorn Necklace
Reviewed by Tim Finch
Depressive black metallers Ghost Bath return with fifth studio album ’Rose Thorn Neckless’ released via Nuclear Blast. The band unleashed themselves on the UK opening the main stage at Bloodstock Festival in 2016, a performance that day that is remembered fondly, like it was yesterday, awakening many to the bands form. They returned in 2018 to headline the Cult Never Dies stage at Damnation Festival, and from there the rest is history. A following has arisen and this album is much anticipated.
‘Grotesque Display’ is a gentle opening ditty for what will follow, soft keys build an atmosphere over its one minute fifty seven length, leading into the albums title track. The title track starts off in similar vein; the guitar tone is genteel, the music soothing, but this will not last. Forty seconds in and the drums ramp up with the guttural vocals of Dennis Mikula taking over. In the background those haunting wails/screams that made the Bloodstock performance so memorable remain.
Whilst described as black metal, this album offers so much more; the opening two tracks demonstrate that the band are not sticking to a tried and tested formula to deliver their take on the genre. ‘Well, I Tried Drowning’ however is a more traditional black metal number, adding a little pace to the previous songs as Mikula’s vocals enswamp the listener once more.
Ever wondered what black metal would sound like if it did ballads? Well ‘Thinly Sliced Heart Muscle’ is probably your answer. Although instrumental in the main it offers a score of powerful reflection, allowing the listener to get swept away without those vocal screams distracting from the power of the music. The interestingly titled ‘Dandelion Tea’ follows a similar vein, although the delivery is darker and faster with an awesome, thrashy guitar riff bridging the middle segment.
Juxtaposing the songs that led us here, ‘Vodka Butterfly’ starts with a harsh, industrial intro before the razor blade jarring black metal riffs kick in and Mikula’s vocals return.
If you come to this album expecting traditional black metal you may be disappointed. Alternatively you may be presently surprised. For this work takes black metal as its basis but adds layers and elements not oft associated with the genre. There is solace in this album for those who are not fans of the genre, whilst there are places where trve fans can thrive. What many would expect to be a jarring listen is actually one full of depth that justifiably could be an album of the year contender.
