From Bandcamp, “GHOST ON MARS combines Dark and melancholic atmospheres with Metal traditions, recreating their personal approach to Progressive Metal. The songs are inspired by films, books and stories belonging to the science fiction and horror cultures.” The album has ten songs, and “Beyond the Mist” is first. It’s weighted and dark, Moreno has a great voice, and the balance between harsh and clean vocals, and melody and aggressiveness is achieved easily. At times, it’s like wolf licking his lips at the sight of a helpless sheep, and their take on the genre is indeed personal.

“Quarantine” begins with a blend of keyboards and guitars, and melancholy vocals. The harsh vocals usher in angrier tones, but the cleans are quite ethereal. However, there is just something a little off on how they connect the two, almost like using hard angles instead of straight lines. “They” has a strong emotional punch in both the vocals and the music. The transitions are dealt with smoother and easier in this song, and the darkness that settles in is tempered with light. “Carbon Skin” was the first single released ahead of the album, and it might be the most complete track on the album. The harsh vocals take a hold of you and grip you tight, but the cleans are emotional and soul bearing.

“Nocturnal” is dark and somber, as the title suggests, and the band works in some ominous sounds into the music, especially with those early lead breaks. “That Time I Saw the Moon” is another emotionally charged song that straddles the line between choppy, technical guitar work and bright melodies. “Under a Crescent Moon” is a bit too maudlin for me. The emotional qualities of the song are noteworthy, but the sentiment is carried through the entire song without letting up. “Back from the Dead” is about resolve. The harsh vocals carry this resolve with pride, and fear, making the point that “I will rise again.” “Back to Life” continues that resolve, with a tender and charged response.

A lot of Progressive Metal is about how well the band navigates transitions, in my experience. Both the melodies and their musical prowess on the album is strong, although transitions seem to give them trouble from time to time. The album also has a bit too much of a steady emotional presence for me. These moments seem better when they are unleashed when the listener least expects them, for maximum effect. It’s a good album however, and very well produced. The band has all the pieces in place to be great.