Ryder's Dismount review By Adam Richardson, Tuesday 8th September 2009

No-one could accuse anglo-french prog metallers Ghost in Mirrors of a lack of ambition on their self-released debut – there’s only one track under five minutes long and a couple well over seven. Daunting as such sprawling songs are, Ryder’s Dismount never threatens to try the patience.
The opening title track is an intense affair, with a sound that builds all the way, occasionally breaking into something approaching all-out thrash while vocalist French broods on mesmerizingly. “Deadbird”, which follows, is a much more full-on brand of metal with its moshalong chorus and obligatory face-melting shred solo. Undoubtedly the album’s best cut, “Across the Seas and Oceans” is art metal done very well with beautifully unhinged vocals that convulse over a stark arrangement that lurches slowly, irresistibly, into a thumper of a chorus. In this track the band seem to have successfully captured in audio the suspense and foreboding of a vintage horror movie. In length, closing track “Sterilised” is Ryder’s... slightest offering by some way, but brings the album to a satisfying denouement via its contrastingly accessible and upbeat sound and yet more stellar vocal work.

For a debut release, Ryder’s Dismount is an incredibly accomplished work, showing a rare ambition matched with evident songwriting talent. Ghost in Mirrors are a well-kept secret, and it’s a secret that needs telling.

http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/reviews/national/8521/Ghost+in+Morrors

Ghost In Mirrors @ BARFLY, 26th March 2009 By Adam Richardson. www.glasswerk.co.uk

The Barfly is impressively full for a Thursday night as openers Doll and the Kicks, of soon-to-support-Morrissey fame, impress with a strong set of exciting indie numbers with big choruses, they’re a promising package. Once the Kicks leave the stage the crowd gradually begins to diminish, though co-supports Spiked and Jukebox Vandals play enjoyable sets that justify their places on the bill, both full of bouncy punky numbers, inspiring some movement on the floor.

Headliners Ghost in Mirrors take the stage and immediately captivate courtesy of frontlady France’s brooding stage presence. With a metally sound that’s a departure from anything else we’ve heard tonight, Ghosts boast great atmospheric riffage and a heavy rhythm section, over which France soars with beautiful moody vocals. They finish with Across the Seas and Oceans, my personal favourite, and bringing to mind Bjork having jamming with the Deftones, it merits enthused headbanging from the now intimate crowd. Though the shrinking turnout was a disappointment, the headliners gave it everything in a high-energy performance and surely will be seen rocking bigger audiences at bigger venues before too long. For more information you can visit: http://www.ghostinmirrors.com

http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/reviews/london/7974/Ghost+In+Mirrors

By Adam Richardson, Wednesday 15th April 2009 05.13pm