Tuesday, December 17, 2024

LP Review: Hola Ghost - Chupacabra, Hate & Fight

Some bands click with you immediately, and I love it when that happens because I never expected it. Hola Ghost is one of those bands that I like the most. They call their music Mexican Death Metal (which may refer more to their makeup than their music). It is challenging to define their sound, so you must decide what that is for yourself if you enjoy them as much as I do. Their music uniquely blends rock, metal, surf, and a little country. I had been listening to them for weeks, waiting for the vinyl to arrive.

Here's some background: Hola Ghost started as a duo in 2007, creating the soundtrack for the American horror comedy movie Cannibal Flesh Riot! by Academy Award winner Gris Grimly. The band was formed by Peter Sandorff (ex-Nekromantix) on vocals and guitar, Jeppe B. Jessen on bass, and the haunted drum machine Ghost 707. Later, drummer Kristian Sandorff (ex-Nekromantix) took over drum duties, skillfully replacing the machine's haunted beats. The band has since evolved, adding a horn section, "The Haunted Horns," to their live and recording crew.

 

Chupacabra, Hate & Fight are two previously released EPs bundled into one LP with two bonus tracks and one new track, "Iron Reich." It is available via Svart Records in three exclusive vinyl editions: magenta, solid magenta/black splatter, and classic black. All this will be packaged with a printed inner sleeve containing lyrics and a collage of rare and previously unreleased photos. There'll also be a limited CD edition of this fantastic compilation album.

 

Side A opens with the explosive "Chupacabra" (a mythical creature from Mexican folklore). The guitar sounds fuzzy, with effects starting with a definite Spanish flavor (which you will often hear along with the horns, which have the same cultural sounds). It is a fantastic opener that gets those juices flowing to rock out more, and you will. Peter Sandorff has a unique vocal style that you can recognize, separating him from all the others. And that is a good thing. This is my favorite track; I can't get enough of it.

 

"Mexico" starts with the haunted horns (ala Herb Alpert and the TJB), then a slick guitar comes in nice and slow, and then boom! It explodes into a wave of sound. They are very adept at playing this way and constantly keep you on your toes in anticipation. The guitar playing is fast from the electric six-string with some acoustic lines added. Here, you cannot miss their Mexican death metal moniker. A few surf runs are also added; they run up and down the neck of the guitar like a round from a live machine gun. Then, another super-fast surf segment takes hold with an extended instrumental break and good guitar work with solid bass and drums. All of this makes for a very entertaining toe-tapping rocker. 

 

"Soldadera" is heavy metal initially, but then it reverts to surf guitar lead (which is very cool; I love it). The bass and drums are tight and hold steady. What you will hear is an excellent instrumental. The horns add another mystique to their sound, as the only words they sing are "Uno, Dos, Tres, Quatro" (1-2-3-4). The rapid picking is in the glissando style, which relates to the surf intro music.

 

"Copenhagen Gringo” (By the way, that is where they are from) is a country-tinged track with catchy rhythms and a step away from all the previous tracks, but very good.

 

Side B opens with a rousing manner with "Hate." They sing, "Hate, follow Me." This dark but energetic tune has a super-spirited bottom end pounding away. Typically, some fine guitar work populates the track with an exciting merging of many sounds towards the end when it all reaches a boil, then slows down with those contagious horns from hell assisted by a melodic bass line and guitar that leads you into a mesmerizing instrumental run and they sing "To love and let die." This was the segue from the previous track and an exciting twist that you must pay attention to while listening.

 

"Fight" is a good follow-up. The band plays, and the vocal screams out, "Hate! Fight! Ghost Brothers! Come on and join the fight." This one is rockin' at warp speed. The vocals are outstanding, as unusual as they may sound to some people. It may be that way at first, but with that rough edge, it's ideally suited to their music, and you will appreciate it quickly. Just listen, and you will see what I mean.

 

"Funeral March" is a slow burner with acoustic guitar and horns for that perfect recipe and atmosphere of death and a feeling that you are watching this happen in Mexico. An extended instrumental run plays before the wind blows for more effect.

 

Then "The Bottom of the Well" begins, another favorite of mine. A steady guitar and bass come in, then it changes to more electric sounds with a surfy reverb. The drums crash, it gets better with the horns added (it always does), and it continues to build and build. It is a masterwork of sound and atmosphere.

 

"Iron Reich" is their latest effort (which will be followed by a new album, and I hope soon). It is a dark and bold track with edgy music to get the lyrics over more effectively. The song's title and lyrics, along with the tone of the vocals, make it all believable. This is fierce music with many changes and great vocals that project the visual they are trying to create for you. The guitar provides a lot of effects to get you there.

 

Hola Ghost is anything but one-dimensional. They are as eclectic as any band I have heard this year. They are not your typical power trio, and you will realize that once the first track starts to play, each successive track throws more curveballs at you. It's all good, and I am so excited that Svart Records introduced me to them. I can't wait to see what they come up with on their next album. The anticipation is real.

 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Reviews Founder

September 11, 2024


Tracks:

Side A:

A1. Chupacabra

A2. Mexico

A3. Soldadera

A4. Copenhagen Gringo

A5. Old Barn


Side B:

B1. Hate

B2. To love and let die

B3. Fight

B4. Funeral March

B5. The Bottom of the Well

B6. Iron Reich







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