WHISPERS IN THE SHADOW, most likely Austria’s longest-serving gothic/dark rock band (founded in early 1996), released their eleventh album „Ghosts“ in 2023. Once again, the band lead by charismatic front man Ashley Dayour (The Ðevil & The Uñiverse) proves their diversity. This time the journey leads into heavier realms. Down tuned, monolithically stacked walls of guitars, thunderous drums and booming bass that seems to come from the bowels of the earth itself. On top of all that, psychedelic lush keyboard carpets and Ashley’s signature voice which clearly identifies this band. Even after 27 years, the same applies: Expect the familiar unexpected.

„Ghosts“ is their heaviest album to date and is one of the darkest albums in the band’s history. Above all, the 13-minute core piece of the album „Majesty & Torment“ surprises with its numerous beat/bar, riff and tempo changes and its progressive approach. “Sacred Fear” flows like a merciless lava maelstrom, and opener “Totems Of Decline” conjures up a dystopian vision that seems to have long since become reality. In addition, WHISPERS IN THE SHADOW open the door to dark-wavy realms with songs such as „A Haunting“ or „Ghost Loop Remedy„, but always with a twist and a certain heaviness which is very unusual in that kind of genre.

Thematically, „Ghosts“ is a journey into the Abyss, a trip through human and inhuman abysses. A communion with shadows and spirits. Both social and personal. Demons such as addiction („A Haunting„), paranoia („Ghost Loop Remedy„), self-righteous ignorance („Totems Of Decline„) and chauvinism („Harpies„) are summoned.

At the end there is the journey into and through the Abyss („Majesty & Torment„), the confrontation with fear of fear and finally the realization that the ghosts are a part of oneself („Poltergeist„), one’s own ego, which has to be destroyed in order to overcome it all.
Visual artist Billy Phobia is again responsible for the cover artwork. He resorted to the magical technique of automatic drawing and was inspired by the spirits of the actual music, which made their way right into the artwork.

WHISPERS IN THE SHADOW not only stare into the abyss until it stares back, they walk right through it and don’t shy away from drinking coffee and eating cake with the demons living there down below. In this sense: Let’s get haunted!

GHOSTS
Released: 25.08.2023 by SOLAR LODGE Records
Produced by Ashley Dayour & Martin “Acid” Gutmann
Recorded & Mixed by Martin “Acid” Gutmann in Vienna February – April 2023
Mastered by Friedemann Kootz in Berlin May 2023

Cover Art & design by Billy Phobia in Madrid Spring 2023

WHISPERS IN THE SHADOW:
Ashley Dayour: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Bass VI
Martin “Acid” Gutmann: Keyboards & Synthesiser
Zebo Adam: Bass Guitars
Alex Kühmayer: Drums, Percussion
Lazy Schulz: Guitars, Bass VI