With the release of their second full length album ‘Those we Leave Behind’ in October 2008, and a line up change - losing the main vocalist of the band this was going to be an interesting night for sure. I am usually accompanied at forthcoming gigs, but when my partner in crime found out I was going to review and photograph a ‘SCREAMO’ band the ironing suddenly beckoned!!

Hailing from Long Beach California I am Ghost were providing a support slot for Blessed by a Broken Heart at tonight’s venue, Barfly in Birmingham.
Their current album Those We Leave Behind is described in the music press as ‘A Non-stop torrent of brooding passion-fueled rock with immediate accessibility’. ‘I am Ghost has a reenergised drive which translates to their darkest and hardest rocking music yet’.

Touring with Biffy Clyro, The Audition and The Bronx on the Kerang Tour 2007, the Warped Tour’s 2006 and 2007 gave I am Ghost a firm foundation and a taste for the live scene.

The venue tonight was like the polar ice-caps, even I was freezing and that was with a fleece on and a ski jacket!! Barfly was only a quarter full, not many people decided to venture out tonight. We were told the lead vocalist had just come out of hospital two hours before the band came on stage, the audience took pity on him and gave him a rapturous applause.


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The audience were quite enthusiastic even though there was only one front row with a few stragglers left behind in the middle, and towards the back of the venue. A bit of air punching and head banging went on throughout the set. It was quite short and to the point, I must admit I could hardly hear anything, hardly any vocals and the music was way too loud, and thats’s not me being an old dear either!! After the third song everything started to sound very samey!

The kids on the front row loved it though, joining in with every song when the microphone was thrust in their direction, touching all their heroes when they mounted the speakers with instruments in hand. Lots of jumping around like demented kangaroos, I didn’t know where to look at times!
If I had been in my 20’s I think I would’ve appreciated this band and the genre more, this was one night when I wished I’d have stayed inside by the fire to keep warm.

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Review by Michelle Owen