Hail the Ghost - Forsaken

Fronted by Love/Hate star Kieran O’Reilly (Detective Garda Ciaran Madden) this Dublin trio have been likened to The National and ’90s legends Whipping Boy, among others. But mostly on their terrific debut, Hail The Ghost come across as the kind of band Talk Talk might have sounded like if they were fronted by the Bunnymen’s Ian McCullough.
The sound is stark, with post-punk/indie textures, funereal rhythms and a high reverb quotient, especially on O’Reilly’s rich, controlled vocals. Opener ‘Nostalgia’ – a moody Doors-like slow-burner – sets the pace, which rarely changes across the 10 tracks here. ‘Headstoned’, the first single released late last year, is hypnotic, brooding and atmospheric, starting out with a gently vamped piano phrase, adding ethereal strings, gradually faded-up pounding drums and minimalist guitar crunches. O’Reilly’s ominous, unsettling vocals complete the picture, as he croons mysteriously, “You dug things deep, to bury what you keep from the working eye.”
Elsewhere, staccato strings and a jerky rhythm lend ‘Even Judas’ a vaguely Kate Bush-sound. ‘Gabriel’ has hints of Scott Walker in the vocal phrasing while ‘Ink & Blood’ is more propulsive with heavenly backing vocals adding vocal colour. With chiming guitars and synth washes, ‘Low Lying Fog’ soars a tad more melodically, ‘White Heart’ is reminiscent of the atmospheric textures of This Mortal’s Coil’s seminal version of ‘Song To The Siren’, while closing track ‘Drift,’ a gorgeously aching ballad with acoustic guitar to the fore, wouldn’t sound out of place on Beck’s Sea Change.
The playing throughout is impeccable, and the production pristine, with every instrument allowed to breath naturally. The overall effect is one of gorgeous, contemplative calm. Excellent.

Key Track - 'Headstoned'