My Own Ghost - Shadow People

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There are bands that are trying to transcend limits, to look out of the limits of Metal genres to find something of their own. This search is never easy, because to find the new isn’t simple, and the complaints of the old Metalheads (those that like to live only in the past) are hard to stand against to. But some are trying, as MY OWN GHOST, a quartet hailing from Luxembourg that comes with the band’s third full length, “Shadow People”.

The musical work of the band is based on a modern and vibrating insight on Melodic Hard Rock of the 80’s (what means a mix between AOR influences and some Hard Rock elements) that’s sounding young and full of energy. In some points, Pop influences appear in their music, but it’s not a problem, but a part of their music. It’s full of plenty of melodic hooks, charming choruses, but permeated by modern elements inherited from Modern metal and Alternative Metal tendencies, with very good arrangements and vocals. It’s really a surprising way of making music, and it’ll be easy for fans of melodic tendencies to assimilate their music. The album was produced and mixed by the hands of Hiili Hiilesmaa, and mastered by Svante Forsbäck. It’s a good sonority, clean and defined as the genre needs, but with some points where the weight and aggressiveness can be felt in the proportions needed by the songs. It’s really an excellent work.

It’s obvious that some with have problems to deal with “Shadow People” at the first contact, but don’t be deceived by the senses, and try it. The best set of songs for a first time on the band’s music can be: “DecadenCity” (a very good set of defined melodies permeates the song, with charming vocals, including some moments with a Rap/Hip Hop like singing), “Jet Black Heartbreak” (this one shows a lot of 80’s hooks, especially due the keyboards parts and on the guitars arrangements), “Between Now and the End” and “Number 2110” (both are songs with catchy arrangements, but with a heavy rhythmic set of contrasts created by bass guitar and drums), “Remember” (this one is extremely accessible due some Pop/AOR touches), “Black Rose Motel” (even with an accessible appeal, the guitars are roaring aggressive riffs), and “Somebody Else’s Sky”. But all the others are excellent as well.

MY OWN GHOST’s musical work is a seed of the new that’ll sprout in the future. So let’s see it grow, having “Shadow People” as its roots.

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 9