Live Review: The Ghost Inside, Senses Fail and Dragged Under | SWX, Bristol | 03/04/2023
They’re back from the ashes – quite literally. With Senses Fail and Dragged Under in tow, The Ghost Inside have returned to the UK for their first full tour post tragedy.
Dragged Under
Whilst tonight’s headliner may be one the of the most revered bands in modern metalcore and hardcore, tonight’s opener Dragged Under – well – aren’t. Whilst playing to an empty room is always is a panful experience for any opener, it clearly appears such a problem is only compounded when the venue itself is in excess of 1000 capacity, a situation that results in the Seattle quintet playing a set that can only be described as challenging at best, awkward at worst. However, it can be seen why some ticket holders have forgone this opening set. With their unchallenging take on metalcore sounding akin to a declawed Beartooth, Dragged Under tonight struggle to manifest or channel the aggression or urgency that their evident inspirations carry.
Granted, whilst the set does significantly improve as more punters filter through the doors – with ‘Upright Animals’ even soundtracking some early afternoon two-stepping – for the most part this isn’t a set that riles one up for the events to come. A shame yes, for the band’s music isn’t without it’s clear merits. Within their set is energy and zeal, and should Dragged Under match this with direction and impact, it’s likely they will achieve the spoils and acclaim they are clearly gunning for.
Photo Credit: Connor Mason
Score: 6/10
Senses Fail
Whereas Dragged Under do at least attempt to portray some of the violence synonymous with The Ghost Inside, post-hardcore legends Senses Fail are a band that fully admit that they don’t musically fit on this tour. After all, the band are more-so known for their emo sensibilities rather than fist-swinging hardcore. But rather than try to validate their inclusion on this bill through some of their more aggressive and dense cuts, Buddy Nielsen and co do that what they do best; deliver timeless smatterings of post-hardcore and emo. Opening with the triple-barrelled shot of nostalgia that is ‘Can’t Be Saved’, ‘Calling All Cars’ and ‘Wolves At The Door’, tonight Senses Fail deliver a set that reinstates their importance within the global scene, complete with fun and self-aware flair.
Even with SWX still being barely half full for this set, it’s clear that the band aren’t fussed about about the less than ideal turnout. Much akin to their refusal to comply with the expectations of those hardcore orientated in attendance – with many a windbreaker-donned punter standing po-faced – this is a set that see’s Senses Fail do want they want in a manner that’s just fun and enjoyable, something highlighted as the band taunt the crowd before them on their age prior to dropping into tracks older than some attendees.
However, despite cuts from 2004’s Let It Enfold You and 2006’s Still Searching taking prominence within the setlist, the inclusion of more recent tracks such as ‘Death By Water’ and ‘End Of The World / A Game Of Chess’ do highlight the tremendous growth the band have undertaken over the years. The performance of the latter track presents this in a way that’s palatable, with Nielsen temporary forgoing his jovial stage persona to detail the message of loss binding the track. But regardless, as the band end of the set with a melody mashup of some of nu-metal’s most meme worthy tracks – something that includes a fusion of ‘Chop Suey’ and ‘Down With The Sickness’, complete with those vocals and all – prior to ringing out with ‘Bite To Break Skin’, it’s clear that Senses Fail are still the same fun loving trendsetters as they where all those years ago.
Photo Credit: Connor Mason
Score: 7/10
The Ghost Inside
Given how essentially every punter in this room is wearing Ghost Inside branded merchandise in some capacity – from shirts to joggers to snapbacks being worn across the board – it’s clear that everyone gathered is proud to represent tonight’s headliner in some way, shape or form. But given the circumstances, it’s to be expected. It’s been a whole nine years since The Ghost Inside last visited Bristol (where they supported Asking Alexandra, of all bands), and for the devotees here tonight, this is no mere standard gig. Rather, it’s a celebration, one of a band that defied the odds and rose from ashes; a fact that’s literal and true, for this run of shows is the band’s first headline tour on our shores after their catastrophic crash in late 2015. And with all of that in mind, it’s absolutely no surprise when the hundreds gathered collectivity lose all inhibitions as soon as The Ghost Inside drop into ‘Avalanche’.
Performing with absolute breakneck speed as they rush through the likes of ‘The Outcast’, ‘Great Unknown’ and classic fan favourite ‘Between The Lines’, to say that The Ghost Inside are performing with purpose tonight would be an understatement bordering upon being a fallacy. Whilst most international artists travel the world in order to promote a record or such, it feels as if the metalcore giants are promoting the fact that they’ve returned from the very brink of existence tonight. If anything is set is feels akin to them proving to the masses that they are still one of the most vital bands within the international hardcore scene with a sense of drive that one can only describe as feverish and determined. The likes of ‘Mercy’, ‘Dear Youth’ and ‘Pressure Point’ hammer this home with intensity aplomb, with the breakdown of the latter being the catalyst for utmost chaos in a pit that spreads across the entire floor.
Unfortunately, whilst The Ghost Inside are on brilliant form, there are elements that do hinder this set; all of them beyond their control however. The first, is the sound itself. Sadly, due to a mix that one could dub muddy, some of the finer intricacies of their craft are lost in the static. Secondly, is the atmosphere in this room, or more accurately, the lack of it. Whilst there’s no denying The Ghost Inside’s drive and musical brilliance, it does appear the band are just not quite ready for venues of this calibre and size. Simply, the intensity of the band’s work feels hampered by the size of this venue. But regardless, as punters push and slam dance in unison and harmony – a rare sight at any hardcore show – it appears such issues are barely acknowledged by most. The fact that The Ghost Inside are back doing what they do best is the main point of focus for all here, and as the band ring out with the mission statement that is now the timeless ‘Engine 45’, it’s simply brilliant to see the band back at the summit of the hardcore hierarchy once again.
Photo Credit: Connor Mason
Score: 8/10