Outrun X Shadows Outrun X Shadows cassette
Inspired by his hometown Chattanooga’s folklore and the Corpsewood Manor murders, musician Ashley Krey has made an impressive solo tape including a delectable mix of goth, punk, and electronic wiles. There are some great spooky sound effects, guitar riffs, and samples, which stylistically remind me of GHOST a bit, given the whole dark occult schtick. I enjoyed the messy, raw-around-the-edges feel of the album, particularly in “Chattooga Black Mass” and “Through The Miasma.” To me, compositional similarities can be drawn to the MISFITS, and I do find “Gargoyles on the Chickenhouse,” funnily enough, to sound like someone asked Julian Casablancas to record a Halloween track with the STROKES. You can tell there’s a vision, a meaning behind the album that adds depth to its already subterranean aesthetic. There could be some improvements to recording quality, yet all in all, this is a great listen for those fond of haunted punk ballads.