GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY – Wastelands
aaamusic | On 30, Jun 2015
‘Wastelands’ skilfully combines the gritty blues rock of America with the angst and aggression of Britain’s industrial indie music. It is the first release from Ghost Riders In The Sky, the brainchild of former Gallows guitarist Steph Carter and is out now via Everything New Records.
With three guitarists and two vocalists the song delivers a very full sound that is only emphasised by the thunderous pounding of the percussion heightening the defying nature of the song. The guitars are distinctly American in style with winding blues scales, fills and a soaring bluesy guitar solo. The vocals lines on the other hand have a sort of careless British edge with hasty and at times blunt lyrical content; ‘the generation’s fucked’ and ‘we can’t be the only ones who give a fuck’. The Vocal harmonies are reminiscent of The Kills – another American/British hybrid – and are almost entirely in unison, making use of the natural dissonance that occurs when you bring together the gritty singing style of Paul Taylor and the sweet melodic vocals of Gillian Carter.
‘Wastelands’ is unique in its merging of American and British styles with a message that points out the bands frustration at the everyday surroundings and convention. This message is delivered with catchy choruses and relentlessly hard-hitting energy that pushes the boundaries of defiance.
