Effort is something that is put into everything, but it is always about the level of said effort that actually matters. That being said, it should be pointed out that the Death/Thrash Metal band DEATH ON FIRE put effort into their new album "Ghost Songs," and the level of said effort is minimal.

Every once in a while, I review an album this makes me frustrated. Not because it's necessarily bad, but because I know the band could have done much better than the material they put out. I have found myself again in this predicament with Death on Fire because if these tracks had a bit more time put into them, they would all be fine. Better than fine, even.

This album was riddled with songwriting errors. Every song that had a slow intro should not have had an intro. When a song has a slow intro composed of clean guitar, piano or any other instrument typically in these types of intros, the song should slowly lead the intro into the main parts of the song (i.e. verses, main riffs, choruses). It should not just cut the intro off and introduce a fast Thrash Metal riff out of absolutely nowhere.

Possibly the most frustrating of these songs was "People Like You." The slow intro literally faded out as a Thrash riff just rips out over it. Obviously, it didn't have to flow like Mozart, but it could have just started with the riffs and not the lame, pointless intro. Not only this, but the song ended in the most uncreative way: fast riffing and then four power chords. The riffs were enjoyable, and they should have been drawn out instead of abruptly halted by four power chords.

"Architects" seemed to be the most put-together song on the record, and it also showed the most potential. Every once in a while throughout the album, the guitars went into some jumpy, groovy riff, but this time it contrasted with an atmospheric piece. Upon the second repeat, a solo made an appearance over the atmospheric section. This was very good solo placement. While the song was not bad by any means, if the jumpy riff came back after the solo with a new, maybe slower, drumbeat, or even a continuation of the solo, this part would have been awesome.

Death on Fire released a dud. It was a songwriting mess, and the KISS cover at the end did not make up for anything. If anything, it made matters worse with the poorly timed, chugging breakdown (that should have happened while the vocalist was still yelling "Love Gun!" the first time) and terrible vocals.