Ghost Of The Avalanche – The ‘This Is Earth’ EP.

Ghost Of The Avalanche – Bath/Frome, England, United Kingdom.

(In case you haven’t been acquainted, for our previous feature on GOTA, Click Here.)

Bath‘s favourite and Frome‘s best export, bass ‘n’ drums Hardcore Punk ‘n’ Roll two-piece, Ghost Of The Avalanche are back, and are about to drop a new EP. MF was given a subtle (for them anyway) look-see at the new release before it’s release.

But, poorly structured sentences aside, I should probably write something about it.

*A quick note; the band have an impressive tour history including playing with: Stiff Little Fingers, Pulled Apart By Horses, The Dickies, 68′, The Damned, The Picturebooks and some cracking smaller bands such as Bath’s own, Seven Crowns – Click Here.

If you have caught them live, then you know as well as I do that even if you aren’t really into Rock or Punk, you will still walk away impressed. I’ll be honest, I fucking love this band, but today I’m wearing my “objective” hat, so let’s do this:

This is Earth EP

‘Volcano’ is the first of the five tracks, and the first chosen to face the public on the EP. I won’t rattle on too much as I’ll post it below, but it’s down-and-dirty basslines are very much classic Punk, quickly becoming a Punk classic. Here’s the part where I’d normally discuss guitar work, but as they don’t have – or need – one… …

The band’s talent for a sing-a-long old-school (arguably Misfits-style), Punk chorus, once again doesn’t let them down either.

‘Hold Your Guns’ with its Hardcore verses and Skate Punk-esque chorus – (that might just be me, but that’s where my mind went) – is GOTA’s fastest track to date, and now my personal favourite. ‘Guns’ on the other-hand boasts 41 seconds of quirky Rock n’ Roll filtered through another wave of 80’s Hardcore distortion, yet also carries the playful nature of The Ramones.

‘City Heat’ explores this vein further, with what I can only describe as a Blues-Punk n’Roll approach. Can’t fault it really.

Moving on, and ‘Two Tribes’ is an interesting one. A track I wasn’t expecting upon first listen. Very much concocted low-n-slow, and infused by a slight Grunge-ism, it rumbles behind an almost military style drum beat in the verses, whilst a steady beat rocks the chorus.

Vocally, the Frome boys harmonise well together. Separately, Wiltone’s lead vocals are as in your face as ever.

‘Two Tribes’ is one of those tracks that is perhaps best left until the end of the set, as it is a “thrash-the-shit-out-of-instruments-in-this-very-limited-space” kinda track. The breakdown and vocal blast from 2:07 “til-close”, is perfect for such. It’s certainly a grower this one; despite, perhaps, sticking out slightly.

Right, to sum up; GOTA are a two-piece band, a Punk-Rock band, a Rock band, and a band that make far more noise than you’d think capable from a bass guitar, a stripped-down drum kit and two blokes from the idyllic English countryside.

It proves that Punk-Rock and balls-to-the-wall Rock n’Roll are very much destroying eardrums as much as they always have been.

I thoroughly suggest you catch this band live if you can. Although, what I will say is it’s entirely possible you’ll become a makeshift stick stand and have to stand motionless until Miles Per Hour is finished with you… I’ll let the mind wander.

The 18th September is the release date for your diary. All the following info and direct links are all you need:

• The EP will be released on both digital format and on LIMITED EDITION TRANSPARENT RED 10″ Vinyl (which comes with a digital version anyway) via Casseblank Records – Click Here – and Grebo Records – Click Here.
• If you wanted to Pre-Order the EP as the 10″ is LIMITED to 300 copies. Then head to GOTA’s bandcamp. Click Here for a direct link to the Pre-Order page. The Pre-Order also comes with a LIMITED EDITION t-shirt designed by Mr. Wiltone.
• Merch as well as the band’s past releases can also be found via the bandcamp which can be found – Here.
• For updates, find the band on Facebook – Here – and Twitter – Here.

And finally, to sign yourself up for the official launch party of the EP, featuring live music from GOTA themselves, with support from Doctor Nut and Seven Crowns, then click on the following image:

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s only a ruddy after party! – CLICK HERE – for information.

#StayFresh