The Ghost Inside
Special Guests: Dragged Under & Our Hollow, Our Home.
Venue: 02 Acadamy Brixton, London.
Date: 18th June 2022.
Review By: Liam True
Our Hollow, Our Home:
A band I’ve seen getting a lot of traction over the past year but have never given a listen is Southampton’s own Our Hollow, Our Home, who even though have got four albums out already, are opening tonight’s proceedings. The band launch themselves into a fury, with their metalcore noise rattling the foundations of Brixton as they prove they’re a force to be reckoned with. Vocalist Conner Hallisey stalks the catwalk on the stage as he spits his venomous vocals onto the crowd, with a section of the front giving back as much energy as he’s letting off. While they’re on first, and making an impressive impact, it’s not as full as I thought it would be, giving the band has quite a reputation for their shows.
As it’s a bigger stage for them, the band are taking full advantage of it with guitarist Josh White and second vocalist/guitarist Tobias Young along with bassist Bobby Brooks flailing their limbs about as they spin, kick and jump around as you can tell they’re enjoying their set. The only bad thing about their set isn’t their fault however, as the sound between songs is quite grainy, and you can barely hear what they’re saying, causing myself and possibly others to not catch any of the song names, so I’m not sure of their set. But one thing I know is that OHOH are destined to headline this stage in a few years. But for now, as Tobias Young jokes with the crowd, ‘If three percent of you buy tickets for our headline shows in October, it’ll be sold out!’ Leaving the stage, and their mark imprinted on it, ready for their return. 
(3.5 / 5)
Dragged Under:
The second opener is upon us, and unlike with OHOH, I’ve not heard of this band before, so I’m excited to see what they have to offer. And they delivered a quality set and gained a new fan, and possibly a bunch more, in the short time they had on stage. Starting off with the anthemic Suffer, they have the crowd in the palm of their hands from thereafter. With other songs like Brainwashed Broadcast & Hypochondria, the band blast through their set. The previous night, they were due to play a smaller show in Camden, but had to cancel due to vocalist Anthony Cappocchi having throat issues. But hell, you couldn’t even notice that a day prior he couldn’t perform, as his voice is unbelievable. With their mix of metalcore and punk rock hitting you like a freight train, it’s no wonder how the band are the second support for tonight. But again, just like OHOH the sound isn’t that great between songs. Even though I’ve edged closer to the stage in hopes to get a better sound and view, it’s still quite bad. Still, the band put on a stellar performance and enjoyed every second of it. And if they hit the UK for a tour anytime soon, you bet I’ll be there. (3.5 / 5)
The Ghost Inside:
And here we are, the main event. A concert that was originally scheduled for 4th July 2020 and had been postponed numerous times. Now just over two years later it’s finally here. Before the band comes onstage, the tension in the room is palpable. The lights go off. No introduction, nothing. Guitarist Chris Davis opens the show with a spotlight behind him illuminating his shadow onto the curtain in front, as he hits us with the opening riff of the night with Avalanche. Vocalist Jonathan Virgil then jumps in to kick-start the song as the entire crowd joins in after the first word was spoken by Virgil. The curtain then drops as the band burst into the song and the room is in uproar. It’s been 7 years since The Ghost Inside have stepped foot in the United Kingdom, and while a few days ago they played their first show back at Download Festival, you know this is going to be more important. It’s their show, it’s their time, and they can do whatever they want. Over the next hour and a half, the crowd are completely engrossed by the sight we’re seeing.
There’s only a few select moments where the band stop and talk to the crowd, which is met by a deafening applause and loud cheers by the Brixton crowd. You’ve got everything the band have to offer. A huge LED screen behind them displaying their artwork, lyrics and a mishmash of everything in their catalogue. The set list is phenomenal, with deep cuts such as Unspoken, which Virgil claims he didn’t want to play, but the band forced him into it. But you look at his face during the song, and you couldn’t even tell he didn’t want to play it. To the bigger songs such as Mercy & Dark Horse. Everyone is beaming on and off-stage. The pyrotechnics, C02, the sparkler fall, everything was mesmerising. At one point Virgil calls for as many crowd surfers as possible and enticing them in with signed set lists, guitar picks and drums sticks he’ll be handing out to those who get over the barrier. Needless to say, they didn’t stay in his possession for long.
Engine 45 is the closer before the encore. And for a solid minute after the band leave the stage to regroup for said encore, the entire venue is singing the chorus back to the band with the house lights shining bright on the crowd. The band then come back with a three song encore. 1333, Still Alive & Aftermath closing the show. It’s been an intense show and all worth the two years of waiting as they pulled out everything for tonight. And at the end, drummer Andrew Tkazyk comes down from his kit to the stage to give the crowd a wave and a bow before leaving.
And just like that, it’s over. They came, saw and conquered London. Leaving the venue in the crowded streets, trying to find our way back, there’s only one thing on my mind.
When’s round 2?
(5 / 5)
