ION INDIE MAGAZINE June 2014, Volume 1 | Page 17

which was the #1 Metal song for quite some time in the Gettysburg market on ReverbNation--starts out with you getting the softer side, obligatory ballad we expect at nearly every show--but not so fast, my friend! While the ballad-like characteristics are prevalent at the very beginning of the song, it quickly turns into face-melting guitar lead anthem as Thane Farace displays his abilities in shredding the ax leaving heads banging, devil horns up, and one of the most enthusiastic crowd responses of the night. Thane Farace Ronnie Peterson Jim Mathis Gary Daniels It is no secret that the band takes extraordinary care of their legions of fans, The Ghost of War Army. With a brief break in the night’s music, a member of the GOW Army, who was celebrating a birthday, was called up onto the stage for a little birthday celebration that had included many presents. Included were a signed Ghost of War metal Jägermeister bucket. Inside the bucket, was a CD, GOW t-shirt, Jägermeister shot glass, beanie, autographed drum stick, and a Ghost of War lighter. When the set resumed, the intensity was not lost. A cover of Iron Maiden’s huge song “Hallowed Be Thy Name” was met with reverent pride by the fan base as the heads began to bang once again. While “Falling into Eternity” is a good song, I could not connect with it. I think perhaps that is because I was still caught up in all of the phenomenal music that came before it. I was able to snap myself back into reality in the nick of time. Just when you think you’ve seen all of the diversity Ghost of War has to offer, they pull out the final track on their CD and slay you with a remake of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD’S classic tune “We’re an American Band”; tweaked with a slight increase in the pace that reminds us once again of the eclecticism of Ghost of War-showing the talented bass work and backup vocals of Gary Daniels. As the set came to an end, I tried to reflect on the highlights of the night’s performance. I was pleased with almost everything that Ghost of War had to offer on the stage--the three skull microphone stands, with the last skull wearing a civil war soldier’s caps, the huge Ghost of War banner, the smoking boxes that Thane and Gary stand on, the soldier in a gas mask with flames in the background--all were very aesthetically appealing and went great with the band’s image. However, the music was first and foremost. The props, if you will, never overshadowed the music. The music came first and was delivered with a fistpumping force, heralding Ghost of War as a presence that is making its mark in the Mid-Atlantic--and I am confident that an equal impact will be felt when they crash land at “Welcome to Rockville”. When Ghost of War comes to your town, check them out. You’ll be happy you did. Just be careful, because the music is so hot, you might melt. www.facebook.com/ghostofwararmy https://www.reverbnation.com/ghostofwar5