Civil War Ghost – Just Tell Lies (2024)
Take a dash of Black Flag, a slice of The Cure and a dabble of Joy Division, and the overall mixture would be Civil War Ghost. A band to fuse bold post-punk and heavy alternative rock in a brash punk wrapper, the UK-based group hits you between the eyes while giving you a warm embrace. The brainchild of musician Oliver Cant, Civil War Ghost explores the “path between abrasive sounds, technical arrangements and deep bellowing riffs…” Interestingly, while the group has only two singles under their belt (including the single we are about to review), they are already capturing hearts and turning heads on an international scale. Come with me as we jump into the depths of their discography.
Following their debut single ‘Casino’, Civil War Ghost cements their punk-influenced sound with the new track ‘Just Tell Lies’. ‘Casino’ might be slightly more “in your face” but the heaviness of ‘Just Tell Lies’ swirls post-punk into the crashing force of punk. Composed by Oliver Cant and Seamus Daley-Dee, the sophomore single sets pounding drums aside blasting guitars with silky synths travelling beneath. Interestingly, while a harmonic symphony of insanity exists, each instrument adds a unique flair to the kaleidoscopic punch of music.
If I were to describe the emotion behind ‘Just Tell Lies’, it is a rush of head-spinning music immersing listeners in a dark, gritty, grunge-filled sonic river. Yet, while a sleek flow of synths hints at hopefulness glittering in the water, it is merely a lull dragging you to a whirlpool of chaos. The melodic experience is breathtaking, but it is the profound lyricism that shows Civil War Ghost’s depth, angst and tumultuous complexity. Speaking about ‘Just Tell Lies’, the band explains:
“Inspired by the quote: artists use lies to tell the truth, whilst politicians just tell lies. It’s an agitation, a questioning of who or what creates the narrative that forms our reality. A delving into manufacturing consent and for what purposes…”
Find out more about Civil War Ghost, check out their Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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