_edited.jpg)
Following the release of their 2024 album Hollywood Suicide, Ghøstkid are once again hitting the road with an updated roster of dark and foreboding tracks. Best known for their ethereal aesthetic, the looming presence of Halloween has intensified the atmosphere surrounding their European tour, allowing their already brooding discography to feel even more immersive in a live setting. Joining Ghøstkid on tour are Within Destruction and SETYØURSAILS, whose unique interpretations of hardcore and metalcore diversify the lineup, making each show all the more thrilling to attend.
Kicking off the show were SETYØURSAILS, whose refined take on melodic metalcore quickly had the crowd off their feet. Their setlist was primarily built around their last two albums, Bad Blood and Nightfall, but also occasionally included some of their older, heavier tracks too. As one would expect from a band with several years of experience, their instrumentals were tight; however, what was most impressive was Jules Mitch’s stellar vocal performance. After seamlessly transitioning between clean choruses and visceral high-pitched screams, she also found some time to engage with the crowd. A standout moment from the show was when she pointed out bassist Nicolai Hoch’s Manchester United jersey, quickly polarising a number of football fans within the crowd. Metalcore is a genre that has felt somewhat stagnant lately, yet their polished performance was pleasantly surprising. SETYØURSAILS are certainly a band worth getting yourself down early for.
Up next were Within Destruction, who were by far the heaviest band on the lineup. The Slovenian three-piece has been rapidly rising in popularity, having carved out an interesting niche by blending popular culture with hardcore music. Many of their songs draw inspiration from or make references to anime, making them a delight for fans of the subculture. Their live show leans into this theme even further, with vocalist Rok Rupnik sporting a Death Note shirt, and their setlist primarily built around 'Yokai' and 'Lotus', also featuring their recent singles 'Animetal' and 'Demon Child', which align with their chosen aesthetic. Standout moments from Within Destruction’s set included their use of sampling during the breakdown of 'No Way Out' and their unique take on the wall of death. Rupnik instructed the crowd to split the room but subverted expectations by asking everyone to walk toward one another slowly and give each other a hug. He quipped that this was for regulatory reasons, but it created an amusing dichotomy, as their live show had been an unrelenting force of blast beats and breakdowns up until that point.
After a thrilling night, it was finally time for Ghøstkid to take to the stage. Dressed in black leather outfits that exuded a moody, sinister vibe, each band member donned striking white face paint accentuating their ghoulish appearance. This haunting look was enhanced by a haze of orange and purple light, perfectly capturing the Halloween spirit and setting the mood for what was to be an immersive and theatrical performance. Ghøstkid swiftly launched into their set with ’BLACK CLOUD,’ a fan favourite from their most recent album. The thunderous instrumentals and haunting vocals immediately captivated the audience, and before long, Club Academy had become a maelstrom of mosh pits.
The set maintained its relentless energy with heavy hitters like 'FSU,' 'CRØWN,' and 'UGLY,' each track further contributing to the atmosphere they had worked so hard to build with their haunting production. Midway through, the band kicked things up a notch as the guitarists called for fans to circle around them, sparking a massive pit that well over half the venue got stuck into. Ghøstkid’s setlist struck a perfect balance between newer tracks like 'HOLLYWOOD SUICIDE' and fan-favourite classics, keeping the crowd fully immersed. For the encore, they unleashed 'START A FIGHT" and "THE SICKNESS,' giving the night an explosive finish.
We thoroughly recommend checking out Ghøstkid's live show; their immersive performance and dynamic setlist provide an ideal way to spend a cold October night.
Words: Josh Bicknell
Comments