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Over the last few years, the metalcore scene in the UK and worldwide has gone from strength to strength. From the likes of BEARTOOTH, POLARIS and LVNDMVRKS increasing in stature, they’re showing that they’re able to go head to head with established metalcore heavy weights like ARCHITECTS, PARKWAY DRIVE and SPIRITBOX, adding to the already stellar pantheon of metalcore greats. The 25th of April however sees Aussie metalcore outfit GHOSTSEEKER taking their turn to bat with the release of their debut album; Divergence. After teasing us with an EP and a smattering of singles since 2022, GHOSTSEEKER have unleashed a no holds debut album that sets them on a path destined for glory.
The start of Divergence is like an explosion, once it gets going, it is relentless and does very little to stop. Opening track Internment has no build up, no teasing intro, it just launches you into the fray in a whirlwind of musical chaos that has you begging to be in a small sweaty venue slamming against strangers as the punishing guitar batters you alongside the growling lyrics of Daniel Breen, sharing vocal duties with Celeste Bojzuk, whose differing styles are perfect for this album. Towards the end of the track there is a build up to an all mighty breakdown that will be a signal for battle live, making the thought of seeing these live a mouthwatering prospect.
The Looking Glass follows suit and ups the ante as the chaotic nature of Divergence reigns, this time following a more melodic sound which packs just as much punch as the album opener. This bleeds into Wake Up (Imposter) which throws you into the song with a delightfully bouncy guitar riff and bass line to boot from guitarists Tom Campey and Corey Walkeden. It’s a track that is packed with energy, you’ll either be banging your head or jumping around no matter where you are. Metempsychoses shakes things up a little blending some cool synths within its verses alongside the metalcore sound that lies in the chorus which gives the song a brooding nature very similar to that of SPIRITBOX, it’s safe to say that Courtney LaPlante and co would be proud of this one as we see Breen and Bojzuk at the top of their game.
The sonic bombardment continues as we reach the halfway point of the album with Cursed Till The End. A wonderful contrast of the whirlwind of sound of the drums and guitars mixed Bojzuk’s vocals allows them all to complement each perfectly, with Bojzuk somehow upping her own game as the album progresses. You would think that maybe three vocalists on one song is too many cooks, GHOSTSEEKER however make it work without it feeling overly bloated on their track Glow In Decay which sees Melbourne based singer, Ionei Heckenberg lending his vocals to the track. Each vocalist gets their turn in the spotlight on this track which turns out to be one of the heavier tracks the record has to offer as it continues to batter your ear drums. Moving onto Dissension, it does the unthinkable by slowing down. A tinkering synth takes lead in this song alongside Bojzuk before a slow and pounding riff joins in that builds up more and more towards the song’s end to a wonderful finale.
As we reach the back end of the album, it does actually slow down (well, for a minute) with the track A Reverie In Atonement which gives our eardrums some much needed respite at the start, which does feel like it teases us as it returns to the chaotic nature that has been prevalent throughout the record. Penultimate track Beta War begins the album’s victory lap. The shortest track on the record, it does a lot in such a short space of time and has an ear worm of a chorus that will be stuck in your head for a while after listening to it. The final song of Divergence sees GHOSTSEEKER giving all they have one final time, ending the record as it started, in a whirlwind of chaos that bookends the album perfectly as the SPIRITBOX influence bleeds through one final time.
Even if you’re a casual fan of GHOSTSEEKER, there is no denying that this album is an incredibly stellar debut. It isn’t perfect but sets the foundation for the band to continue on a journey that will allow them to grow and mature and get better over time. That being said though, this album is incredibly concise and a huge amount of fun from start to finish, whatever comes next from them is sure to be another hit that will allow them to keep building a stellar discography. Whatever that is, we await with glee.
Rating: 8/10
Divergence is set for release on April 25th via RPM ROAR.
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The post ALBUM REVIEW: Divergence – GhostSeeker appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
