JP’S Rawkin’ Show Review
Review and Photos by JP Rawk
Music by GHOST OF WAR “Beautiful Lies”
Great friends of JP Rawk and ION Indie Magazine, GHOST OF WAR, a pure Metal band from Gettysburg, PA, have embraced
the persona of a true Metal party band. A Jägermeister-sponsored band, that by the time this edition of ION Indie Magazine
hits the press, will have played for 20,000 or more at Monster Energy Drink’s “Welcome to Rockville Festival” in Jacksonville,
Florida—but was taken in a much more intimate environment for this show review.
Veterans of the scene, RONNIE PETERSON (vocals), THANE FARACE (guitar and backing vocals), GARY DANIELS (bass and
backing vocals), and JIM MATHIS (drums), exhibit their high level of musicianship, each time they rip up the stage. With an
electrifying 45 minute set that included many songs from their debut CD “Only Death is Real”, it is difficult to pin-point an
exact description of the sound that Ghost of War has. I think it would be best to describe them as a child born of METALLICA,
JUDAS PRIEST, AC/DC, METAL CHURCH and SLAYER--creating an eclectic band that knows no boundaries.
When you get out to a Ghost of War show, it seems you never know what you may be in store for. This night was no different.
“Only Death is Real”, the title track off of the CD, hits you right between your running lights as Jim Mathis has the double bass
drum driving the guitar, bass, and vocals into a “Heavy Metal Fantasyland”--wondering how it can get much better as the night
progresses. Yet, in no uncertain terms, as the set progressed, it got better and better. “Fire” is one of those songs--where
Peterson’s vocals go from James Hetfield-like to almost a Bruce Dickinson-like characteristic--leaving one scratching their
head wondering how one guy can transform his vocals so effortlessly within the same song. A true treat, “Beautiful Lies”--