SEEING DOUBLES: GHOSTS TAKE OVER THE FILLMORE

The Ghost Inside – Wash It Away Tour (Fillmore NC)

After a devastating bus accident in 2015 and four years of silence, many fans believed the band The Ghost Inside had become a part of metal history. However, their triumphant return with a self-titled album in 2020, followed by the recent release of ‘Searching for Solace’ on April 19, 2024, has proven that they are far from finished in the metal scene. On Friday, May 10th, outside The Fillmore in Charlotte, NC, the consensus among the fans was initially dismissive, with many stating they were “just here to see the openers and then I’m leaving.” Despite these remarks, the crowd’s enthusiasm only intensified when The Ghost Inside took the stage, their energy and excitement growing as the band delivered an electrifying performance.

The energy outside the venue was palpable, and even a brief rain shower while attendees were waiting in line didn’t seem to dampen spirits. Upon entering The Fillmore, visitors were immediately greeted with an array of merchandise, most notably a drumhead used by the Swiss metal band Paleface Swiss from one of the previous nights on ‘The Wash it Away’ tour.

The opening act, Boston’s Great American Ghost—sharing the ‘ghost’ theme with the headliner—infused elements of death metal, thrash, and hardcore punk into their performance. They set the tone for the evening with their aggressive presence and hardcore beatdown style. Performing their latest release, ‘Hymn of Decay,’ Great American Ghost acted as a catalyst for the pandemonium and energy that would envelop the venue for the rest of the night.

The set concluded dramatically as vocalist Ethan Harrison ventured into the crowd and was hoisted onto a fan’s shoulders, spinning around with reckless abandon—an act that amplified the thrill of the show. Even after dismounting, Harrison continued to revel in the addictive energy of the mosh pit before making his way back to the stage.

Paleface Swiss isn’t the only foreign band on tour with The Ghost Inside. Following the performance of Great American Ghost, Bleed from Within, a band hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, kept the energy alive with a set that, while not entirely exhilarating, maintained an engaging and acceptable level of stoke.

The band is composed of Scott Kennedy on vocals, Ali Richardson on drums, Craig Gowans on guitar (pictured taking a photo with a fan side stage), Martyn Evans on guitar, and Davie Provan on bass. The band’s origin was unmistakable through the accent of lead vocalist Scott Kennedy as he spoke to the crowd between songs, adding a unique touch to their performance.

The next act, and the one I was personally most excited to see, was Paleface Swiss—originally just “Paleface” but appended with “Swiss” to avoid copyright issues with another group of the same name. My introduction to the metal music scene came via the Blue Ridge Rock Festival ’21, and the controversies and cancellations of the ’23 festival had been a hot topic at metal shows in the NC/VA region. It was after this festival that I first discovered Paleface Swiss, marking the first band I encountered independently of my usual friend group that truly captured my attention and deepened my interest in the metal community. Having seen them perform twice before, photographing them had become a top item on my bucket list.

The venue was buzzing as the stage was set and the crowd packed in. The lights dimmed, and the Swiss boys took the stage to a roaring welcome. With Zelli on vocals, Cassie on drums, Yannick on guitar, and Tommy on bass, Paleface Swiss delivered the heaviest beatdown Switzerland has ever produced. The palpable energy in the air electrified every second of their performance. Zelli’s provocative actions and dynamic interaction with both the crowd and other band members intensified an already unforgettable show.

As the performance reached its peak, I made my way to the center of the crowd, eager to dive into the adrenaline-pumping mosh pit—a hallmark of beatdown music. In a particularly heart-stopping moment, I noticed a young kid, maybe 12 years old, bravely entering the pit. Though initially concerned, I was quickly reassured as the ever-vigilant moshers conscientiously made space for him to enjoy the chaos safely.

The final act of the night was the headlining band, The Ghost Inside, embarking on their “Wash It Away” tour to promote their new album, “Searching for Solace.” Paleface Swiss had left large shoes to fill, and initially, I doubted that The Ghost Inside could match their energy. Before the concert, while exploring their discography, many of their songs struck me as intense—almost like hitting “STAR MODE ACTIVATED” in Guitar Hero—and I was skeptical about becoming a regular listener.

However, the moment the band appeared, particularly when drummer Andrew Tkaczyk, who tragically lost his right leg in their 2015 bus accident, was assisted onto the stage, the weight of their history and resilience became palpable. This profound backdrop set the stage for an unforgettable performance. Vocalist Jonathan Vigil, guitarist Zack Johnson, bassist Jim Riley, and guitarist Chris Davis kicked off with “Engine 45” from their 2020 comeback album. The lyrics of each song echoed the harrowing effects of their accident, none more so than in “Death Grip.” When Jonathan pointed the microphone toward the crowd during the opening verse, the audience’s thunderous response sent chills down my spine and made me a committed fan.

The momentum only built from there, especially when Ethan Harrison from Great American Ghost and Scott from Bleed from Within (pictured on Stage with Vocalist Johnathon Vigil) joined for explosive guest performances. The show concluded with “Aftermath” from their self-titled album, reaffirming to everyone present that The Ghost Inside remains a formidable and relevant force in the metal scene. It was more than just a musical experience; it was a testament to their enduring spirit and impact.

See the full gallery of the night here!

If you happened to capture any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.

Tour Dates 

May 14th, 2024 The Masquerade Atlanta Ga 

May 15th, 2024The Mill & Mine Knoxville TN

May 16th, 2024 Sonic Temple Festival Columbus OH 

May 25th, 2024  Slam Dunk Festival North, Hatfield UK

May 26th, 2024 Slam Dunk Festival South, Leeds UK 

Sep 20th, 2024 Brisbane Entertainment Centre Boondall, Australia 

Sep 21st, 2024 Qudos Bank Arena Sydney, Australia 

Sep 22nd, 2024 John Cain Arena Melbourne, VIC

Sep 27th, 2024 Adelaide Entertainment Centre Adelaide, Australia 

Sep 29th, 2024 HBF Stadium Mount Claremont, Australia 

Oct 18th, 2024 Bataclan Paris France 

Oct 19th, 2024  Schlackthof Wiesbaden, HE

Oct 20th, 2024 Ancienne Belgique, Brussels 

Oct 22nd, 2024 Capitol Hanover, Germany 

Oct 23rd, 2024 Gross Freiheit 36, Hamburg, HH

Oct 25th, 2024 Huxley’s Neue Welt, Berlin

Oct 26th, 2024 Palladium Cologne, Germany 

Oct 27th, 2024 013 Poppodium Tilburg, Netherlands

Oct 29th, 2024 Felsenkeller Leipzig, Germany

Oct 30th, 2024 Gasometer Vienna 

Nov 1st, 2024 Live Club, Milan Italy

Nov 2nd 2024 Muffathalle Munich, BY

Nov 3rd, 2024 Volkshaus, Zurich 

Nov 5th, 2024 Razzmatazz, Barcelona, Spain

Nov 6th, Sala La Riviera Madrid, Spain

https://theghostinside.com