Ghost Circus
Across the Line ProgRock Records

by Franco Wissa
Staff Writer

Comments: Adeptly mixing the sounds of AOR with hints of progressive rock and metal isn't always easy. However Ghost Circus here has done so admirably. With crunching guitars, progressive underlying synthesizers, strong rhythm lines and harmonic vocals, what is heard here is the blend of 3 types of music that comes across with finesse, and digs deep into the soul of the listener, and refusing to leave. The musical story comes through while at the same time never veering off with meandering notes, or meaningless songwriting. It is for this reason, that Across the Line becomes a strong, must listen to collection of tracks.

A 2004 chance get-together through the Internet brought a meeting of the two principal players to Ghost Circus, Chris Brown and Ronald Wahle that soon resulted with the release of their debut CD Cycles in 2006. Across the Line, Ghost Circus's sophomore effort tells the story of a person who after his death, and now in the hereafter, finds he is no longer amongst those things he felt comfortable with during his life, no matter how much he wishes he was. The story goes that the man, "turns away from the light," and is left in a state of flux - a ghost, but unable to be anything more than a witness of the living.

The guitars of Ghost Circus are first rate ranging from soft acoustic as heard on the opening "Reflection," to the evil hard rock chords of "Losing Time," to the metal crunching riffs that come alive during "Pathway." The synthesizers and piano of "To Be," will remind one of the great bands Marillion, Genesis or Porcupine Tree. "To Be," is a beautiful, heartfelt arrangement that with little more than keyboards, a voice, barely notable bass and drums offers an almost surreal feel to a progressive ballad.

The eight-part "Through the Light," digs deep into every available emotion, sound, feel, and sentiment that the band can dig from their instruments. A risky venture at best, to not sound repetitive while taking on such a bold endeavor, however, here one can find himself nodding their head during certain moments, (part 2, "The Choice,) and closing their eyes during others, can almost feel as a ghost themselves, (part 3, "The Essence of Life,) and feel wondering, worrying, unsure of what to expect where the music sounds like the backdrop of a horror movie, (part 4, "The Sea of Shadows,") lost, almost as if in the afterlife as almost supernatural musical special effects can be heard, (part 5, "Soaring Above.")

"Through the Darkness," is a sensational track that transcends a myriad of sentiments from the listener. The CD's closing track "Across the Line," is a spellbinding 10:14 second song that during its first minutes is haunting, with long reaching guitar chords weave around an intricate keyboard arrangement, and even during certain moments one will feel themselves holding their breath, wondering what will happen, when at 3:00 the song becomes a great melodic rocker with a luxuriant guitar that gives way to a stunning, flowing synthesizer solo. Not a word is spoken during this track, and at 8:41, the guitars and keyboards suddenly stop, and the same haunting, mesmerizing music that was heard in the opening bars comes once again into earshot until its fading end.

This is a strong, unique adventurous CD that unfolds before you. Allow the CD time to come into its own, but it does so quickly, and within minutes you become part of the storyline, almost as if lost in a movie playing out in your mind. The visuals of this CD are there, and the boys of Ghost Circus are to be commended for using their musical and songwriting talents to bring to life one illustration after another.

Musicians:
Chris Brown - guitars, bass, keyboards, vocals
Ronald Wahle - guitars, keyboards, drums

Track Listing:
Reflection
Pathway
Holding On
To Be
Losing Time
Through the Darkness
Through the Light
1. The Calling
2. The Choice
3. The Essence of Life
4. The Sea of Shadows
5. Soaring Above
6. Breaking Through
7. Distant Memory
8. The Final Steps
Across the Line

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10