GosT’s latest EP, “S/T,” is a collection of sound lying in
wait to wound passersby with its intensity and phantasmagoric glory. With five
tracks that call upon both dark and delightful tones, “S/T” is a testament to
GosT’s rapid and frightening growth as an artist.

                In his
first three short collections in 2013, GosT established his style as both retro
and horror inspired. “Skull,” released in July of that year, showed us a
crisper, cleaner, perhaps more acutely produced sound, but didn’t stray at all
from these roots. “S/T” takes this growth and expands upon it, not only fitting
into the theme of GosT’s works as a whole, but standing well on its own as a
set of tracks that terrify and exhilarate with their power.

                The
album combines inexorable beats with climbing, ominous melodies and a
bone-crunching, pitch-black low end that churns the bowels and yet stirs the
limbs to movement. You could dance to this music, most definitely, yet one can
also imagine fleeing some unstoppable monster while hearing these haunting sounds.
The bass end synth is not unlike a loosely distorted guitar, with a grinding
presence that invites images of the butcher’s block and the buzzing bone saw.
This sound pairs well with the crystalline, almost perversely angelic treble
synths used throughout; indeed, it is as if one has stumbled upon the chorales
and hymns of a truly dark religion. There is no way out once you press Play.

                The
introductory track, “Ritual,” stays true to form, blending graceful arpeggios
with winding, crunching bass and mournfully intense sampled orchestra hits. Its
abrupt end drops us into “Cascade,” an aptly named track that begins slowly and
builds threateningly before throwing us into a mid-paced but stimulating body
of sound. From here we are brought back into fury with “Ascension,” the beat
speeding up like the pulse of a sacrificial lamb just before the knife is
brought across its throat. Consistently intense and hard-faced, this track
kills. “Within” offers us another slow, ominous build, with tinkling tones and
choral voice instruments chiming away. While a bit calmer than its predecessors
on the album, the track provides its own nightmare visions as the sounds layer
over one another. The longest track at just over six minutes, “Within” provides
plenty of breaks and playful switches to keep the ear involved. The album ends
gracefully with “Horizon,” a spooky and well-crafted epilogue that would fit
well on any respectable horror OST.

                As a
longtime fan of GosT, it is difficult to view his works objectively, but even
in doing so, one must tip one’s hat. The work began as exemplary and has
continued to grow as time has marched on. While it is by no means a long album,
“S/T” is packed with goodness for the retro enthusiast and the horror music
fiend alike.

~Ronnie Future (Bryan Eddy)