Is the Glam Rock revival about to start? If The Darkness hinted at a tongue in cheek approach to that often maligned period in popular music, then on this evidence we'd have to assume that Holy Ghost Revival are taking things just a little more seriously.
They might hail from Seattle but there's no grunge clogging up the delivery here. If they were to be compared to any Seattle band from back in the glory days it would have to be Mother Love Bone, whose Andrew Wood encapsulated the excitement of the glammed up stargazing rock star before he checked out thanks to a spot of heroin. Vocalist Conor Kiley's histrionic vocals on Embrace The Hate are not too dissimilar to those of Wood's at all.
Holy Ghost Revival also have a nice line in melodic hard rock riffs that steal more from the likes of Thin Lizzy and Maiden than T-Rex or Slade, but Kiley's vocals always pull the song in a slightly camp direction.
The introspective folk stylings of b-side Angel of Death of My Dreams pt. 2 showcases a far more laid back Holy Ghost Revival and a sedated Riley. It also proves that the band has more to them than a couple of wizard guitar licks. Still, we prefer it when they're kicking out the riffs and embracing the hate than when they're solemnly empathising with the patron saint of prostitutes (St Nicholas if you're interested - naughty Santa).
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