Formerly a member of Eskimo Callboy (now Electric Callboy), German metal master Sebastian “Sushi” Biesler wanted to create a project of his own, which he did to great critical acclaim, when he released the album GHØSTKID in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, he’s back with his second offering HOLLYWOOD SUICIDE, an eleven-track album which takes you on a journey through pain and despair.
Of course Biesler is working alongside some talented musicians, with guitarists Jappo van Glory and Chris Kisseler, bassist Stanni Czywil and drummer Steve Joakim providing the mayhem to work alongside the vocals. We got a taster of what was to come when album opener and title track Hollywood Suicide was released in January 2023, kicking off with some creepy, distorted synths which continue throughout, before Biesler bursts through with some very powerful vocals: “Fuck everything that they say/You’re out of place, you’re a disgrace/Kill yourself for the dream.” After the high intensity start, the chorus is more gentle on the soul with an almost rap style running through the lyrics. The guitar solo on S3x is a standout in another lyrically clever track, FSU (Fuck Shit Up) rocks you to the core, with the hooky guitar riffs and standout vocals from Biesler. It’s definitely an early contender for the best on the album.
Heavy Rain shows off the nu-metal capabilities of GHØSTKID and will be one of those tracks that go down a storm in the mosh pits during their current tour with Blind Channel. At two minutes 36 seconds, Valerie is the shortest song on HOLLYWOOD SUICUDE and certainly one of the more moody numbers, with the melodic keys and drums, distorted lyrics and no guitars. It’s very different and fresh. Black Cloud deals with the subject of drug addiction, with a very raw chorus and the vocalist screaming: “You’re gonna keep giving up, while you keep giving in/Seduced by your venom, sweet amphetamine.” Joakim’s thrashing drums are a standout during this track.
Ugly is synth-led before guitarists van Glory and Kisseler are given freedom to express themselves, while Biesler once again easily adapt his vocals to differing intensities from verse to chorus. Code: Pandorum collaborate with GHØSTKID on Murder, taking the record in a trap-metal direction. The album concludes with Helena Drive, our standout track, with a more melodic wind down as we get to hear how our HOLLYWOOD SUICIDE star is “So perfect on the outside/So fucked up on the inside.”
HOLLYWOOD SUICIDE is an album that definitely needs to be listened from beginning to end. The 34 minutes of music is as diverse as any that has been released this year so far. March and April are busy for GHØSTKID as they tour with Blind Channel – they will no doubt tear the house down wherever they play!
8/10
Standout Tracks: Hollywood Suicide, FSU, Helena Drive
For Fans Of: Annisokay, Bury Tomorrow, Imminence
Written by: Alan Brown
