Crumbling Ghost – Four
Release Date: 7th August 2026
Label: New Heavy Sounds
Bandcamp
Genre: Rock, Stoner, Doom, Psychedelic Rock, Dark Folk.
FFO: Galley Beggar, Troubled Horse, Sleep, Pia Isa, Void Realm.
Review By: Mark Waight
Although still relatively unknown Crumbling Ghost have been around for quite a while now and “Four” is their aptly named fourth album, it is also their first release in around ten years since 2016’s “Five Songs”.
Crumbling Ghost don’t really fit into any one category within rock/metal and its many subgenres; they exist in a completely different dimension all together. In an alternative universe where everything we know or think we know is turned completely on its head Crumbling Ghost would be the norm, but here and now they are an exciting anomaly and worth further investigation.
Crumbling Ghost is John Mosley (guitar), Donny Hopkins (guitar), Ruth O’Loughlin (bass), Katie Harnett (vocals) and Matthew Atkins (drums).
Opening track “Bows of London” sets out Crumbling Ghost’s stall for what is to come. It is a traditional shanty melded together with a heavy psychedelic riff, and morphing it into something interesting, new and exciting. Very cool.
Next up “Bill Norrie” has a very retro 80s electronica feel about it, by combining a gentle melody with crystal clear vocals and a darker undercurrent Crumbling Ghost create something that seems familiar yet is totally unique.
Instrumental composition “Valtz Efter Tor Lohne” is a 70s prog rock meets Mozart fusion that rises and falls in time with the dance itself.
Hard-hitting tune “Lovely Joan” once again brings together traditional folk music and heavier rock elements into something that is unusual yet refreshingly appealing. “Gower Wassail” follows a very similar path, but this time out things are a little darker, and edgier.
Penultimate track “Last of all Sleep” is a beautifully gloomy and doomy affair that finally allows Katie Harnett to showcase her talent, stretch her vocal cords a tad more in a super cool nod to classic late 60s and early 70s rock. My favourite track.
Epic length finale “The Unquiet Grave” is a colourful psychedelic journey that rounds the album off nicely. Acoustic and stoner rock forces collide head on into a stunning and trippy heavy climax. Groovy!
Crumbling Ghost fuse old and traditional elements with various genres of classic rock to create something totally unique. Their music is something that is very on point with the current rock/metal scene and “Four” will not only be appreciated by fans classic rock but also by fans of folk metal and similar genres too. A good listen for those who love something a bit different!
(3.5 / 5)
