10 Years - (How To Live) As Ghosts album review

Knoxville hard rockers give themselves little room to manoeuvre

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Cover art for 10 Years - (How To Live) As Ghosts album

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Coming surprisingly shortly after what was supposed to be 10 Years’ last ever album, From Birth To Burial, (How To Live) As Ghosts is a release that fulfils the basics of any good alternative/heavy rock record, but, frustratingly, refuses to expand upon its own intriguing ideas. The album is a very short one that dances over sections which, with more time, could evolve into impactful movements. Single Novacaine possesses sumptuous riffs from the bass and guitar, but its sub-three-minute running time ends them as abruptly as they begin. Ballads like Ghosts and Halos fare better, their emotive, clean verses juxtaposed against climactic choruses, all of which worm their way into the ear with a sheer, infectious bombast that permeates the entire album. For those looking for more than a catchy sing-along, this is a promising but ultimately rushed ride.

Matt Mills
Matt Mills
Contributing Editor, Metal Hammer

Louder’s resident Gojira obsessive was still at uni when he joined the team in 2017. Since then, Matt’s become a regular in Prog and Metal Hammer, at his happiest when interviewing the most forward-thinking artists heavy music can muster. He’s got bylines in The Guardian, The Telegraph, NME, Guitar and many others, too. When he’s not writing, you’ll probably find him skydiving, scuba diving or coasteering.