I Am Ghost - Lover's Requiem

Back when I created this blog I said that TuneJunkie would not only be for new albums, but for older albums as well. Its time to make good on that statement. Today is the 5 year anniversary of Lover's Requiem's release, October, 10 2006.

Lover's Requiem was the debut full length album of a band that simply cannot be classified under one genre, or three for that matter, I Am Ghost. I Am Ghost was brought into existence in 2004 by Steven Juliano, the band's lead singer. He brought many different artists with different talents together to create a sound that had never before been heard. Juliano describes Lover's Requiem, "It’s essentially a rock opera but for hardcore or goth kids." And rock opera is pretty much the only way to describe it considering all the different elements it brings to the table.

The band was made up of Steven Juliano - lead vocalist, Kerith Telestai - female vocalist and violinist, Brian Telestai - bassist, Timoteo Rosales III - lead guitarist, Victor Angel Camarena - drummer, and Gabe Iraheta - rhythm guitarist. Sadly in the summer of 2007 Kerith and Brian Telestai both announced that they were leaving the band. Bassist and vocalist Ron Ficarro joined I Am Ghost that year. Eventually all members of the band besides Juliano and Rosales were replaced.

I Am Ghost released 3 albums and an EP before their breakup in the summer of 2010. And one could only wish that they had released more. It made me very sad to see such an influential, amazing and different band go.


Now back to the album itself, Lover's Requiem. This album is, in my opinion, the best of the bunch. There are so many different musical elements all packed into one source, yet all stand out and have their own impact. This album is a masterpiece and is terribly underrated. There is the contrast between male and female vocals, near seamless use of both violin and guitar, elements of opera, indie, hardcore, pop, punk, and gothic rock. There is something in this album for pretty much everyone and if you only give one album on my site a shot, listen to this one.



Lover's Requiem tracklist:

"Crossing the River Styx" – 1:56
"Our Friend Lazarus Sleeps" – 2:55
"Killer Likes Candy" – 3:33
"Dark Carnival of the Immaculate" – 3:15
"Pretty People Never Lie, Vampires Never Really Die" – 4:32
"Of Masques and Martyrs" – 3:37
"Lovers' Requiem" – 4:15
"We Are Always Searching" – 3:28
"The Ship of Pills and Needed Things" – 3:44
"The Denouement" – 3:18
"This Is Home" – 4:26
"Beyond the Hourglass" – 6:01
"The Malediction" – 3:47

TunkJunkie's Overall Rating for Lover's Requiem:


This album is just amazing. Thats all there is to it. Maybe it isn't quite your thing. But even if not you still have to admire their uniqueness and ability to seamlessly incorporate so many different sounds and genres. This album is well worth your time. I can about guarantee it.

Suggested tracks from Lover's Requiem:

2. "Our Friend Lazarus Sleeps"
7. "Lovers' Requiem"
8. "We Are Always Searching"
11. "This Is Home"
12. "Beyond the Hourglass"

YouTube Video of I Am Ghost - Lover's Requiem:


Post By: Tune Junkie

Review No.1: Falling in Reverse

Well lets just get this started with a bang shall we? A rather controversial one at that...

Falling in Reverse is a very new band so I would be willing to bet that most of you have never heard of them... This is a post-hardcore band created by the former lead singer from Escape the Fate, Ronnie Radke... He was kicked from the band he created and replaced by former lead singer of Bless the Fall, Craig Mabbitt, due to breaking probation and being sent to jail...

More about that here: Ronnie Radke Interview

Along side Ronnie in Falling in Reverse are lead guitarist Jacky Vincent, rhythm guitarist Derek Jones, bassist Mika Horiuchi and drummer Ryan Seaman.



If any of you are old Escape the Fate fans, you guys know the excellence that Ronnie Radke is capable of writing. The new album by Falling in Reverse is called "The Drug in Me is You" and is scheduled to be released on July 26th of this year. IMO the album is great. Many of the songs on the album are about Ronnie's time in prison and of course some are directed at his ex-band mates who dropped him when he was jailed. Of course Escape the Fate is directing remarks at Ronnie as well. I will not side with either Escape the Fate or Falling in Reverse on this even though I do believe that what Escape the Fate did to him was wrong and he definitely has a right to me upset about what happened... I enjoy listening to both bands, however, I believe that Craig is the better stage performer and Ronnie is by far the better song writer.

Anyways, overall the quality of Falling in Reverse's music is awesome, the guitar is melodic and not just there to clash with everything like some other bands, drums have presence, and everything is balanced incredibly well. Ronnie Radke is also one of my favorite vocalists for a post-hardcore band.

Tracklist:
1. Raised by Wolves
2. Tragic Magic
3. The Drug In Me Is You
4. I’m Not A Vampire
5. Good Girls Bad Guys
6. Pick Up The Phone
7. Don’t Mess With Ouija Boards
8. Sink Or Swim
9. Caught Like A Fly
10. Goodbye Graceful
11. The Westerner

Tune Junkie's overall rating for The Drug in Me is You:


This album is an awesome display of what a musical genius, Ronnie Radke, can come up with. Not a second of this album is boring. Every instrument is utilized in a way that is unbelievable. The solos are amazing, lyrics are witty and original, and spectacular melodies. If you like post-hardcore music and liked old Escape the Fate then you will probably love this...

Suggested tracks from The Drug in Me is You:
1. Raised by Wolves
3. The Drug in Me is You
4. I am not a Vampire

Music video for Falling in Reverse - "The Drug in Me is You":





Post by: Tune Junkie