Slightly left-field, and off kilter, the more Alternative Metal stylings of THE GHOST NEXT DOOR offers a different perspective on a musical style obsessed with ultra-specific subgenres and definitions. This self-titled debut release from the Californian quartet manages to show off an incredible range of styles and influences whilst retaining a sound which is all their own.

Opening with a brief ambient introduction, once the main groove and riff for "Forever My Demon" kicks in and the song proper begins, the attitude and power of this band is plain to see. A heavy, groovy track, there is also an interesting, melodic solo and a much more Thrash-based vocal style.

The band throws plenty of curveballs, melding all from classic Heavy Metal references - there's a harmonised guitar lick at the start of "Crickets" which could have come straight out of NWOBHM for Dummies (I really hope that book exists), which is then followed by plenty of prog-influenced ups and downs in the song.

The band's gothic influence, as well as the fact that they're from the famous Bay Area means that their music holds plenty for everyone, and even has a fair few catchy tunes that will stick in the head for a while.
"All Fall Down" has a slightly darker feel, which is followed by the decidedly creepy "Ten Steps Back" which feels at times like some sort of nightmarish children's song shuffled in with a pretty cool riff, before it breaks into sections of thrash-punk crossover.

Vocalist and guitarist for the band Gary Wendt has been quoted as saying that his concept for THE GHOST NEXT DOOR was to "marry the dark melancholy of 80s and 90s alternative with the aggression and drive of bay area Metal", and this is something that this first release certainly does, adding in several other influences from more diverse sources along the way.