๐ค Massive Thanks To Andrรฉ From Ghost Avenue! ๐ป๐ฅ
A massive thank you from all of us here at The Riff Report to Andrรฉ from Ghost Avenue for taking the time to sit down and chat with us for an interview! ๐ธโก
Itโs always an absolute pleasure getting to speak with artists who live and breathe rock โnโ roll, and Ghost Avenue continue to fly the flag for hard-hitting melodic rock with style, passion, and riffs bigger than a late-night kebab after Download, mun ๐๐ป
We genuinely appreciate Andrรฉ taking time out of the chaos to talk music, creativity, the new album, and everything happening in the Ghost Avenue camp. Independent music journalism only works because brilliant bands and artists are willing to support independent platforms like The Riff Report โ and that means the world to us โค๏ธ๐ค
If you havenโt already checked out Ghost Avenueโs latest material, go give them some love, crank the volume up properly loud, and support independent rock music the way it deserves ๐ฅ๐ค
Stay tuned, buttโฆ the full interview drops soon ๐โก
๐ฅ FULL THROTTLEย โ THE NEW ALBUM
1.ย First up โ Full Throttleย is a proper statement of a title ๐ What does it represent for the band?
Well, we had a bunch of songs with a lot of attitude and that was really to the point and Full Throttle just fitted perfectly as the album title. We think it represent the songs and vibe on the album. We went for a more “in your face” and live vibe feeling on this one. Full speed ahead, or more fittingly “Full Throttle”.
2.ย Itโs been six years since Even Angels Failย โ why was now the right time to unleash a new album?
There is no spesific reason, just that we now had the time to focus on it and had the inspiration to write songs. The last album was interrupted by the corona pandemic and we lost a lot of momentum in that period, so we now we just took our time and re-grouped and didnt stress it.ย
3.ย How would you describe the sound and energy of Full Throttleย compared to previous releases?
We had a couple of songs and riffs done and quickly realised that the songs we were working on was really straight to the point, and we didnt want to “over play” and “over produce” them. We wanted to capture a more “live” live feeling and just get on with it.ย
4.ย Was there a specific moment during recording where you thought, โYeahโฆ this album absolutely ripsโ?
No, not a specific moment, but yeah we felt we had a strong collection of songs and are happy with the way they turned out. Boring answer maybe, but when you are in the process you just get caught up in it and dont really think about it that much. You only want to nail the songs and hope they turn out as planned in your head. You know? But with that said, I for sure think it rips ๐ย
5.ย Do you have a personal favourite track on the record โ the one that hits hardest for you?
For me I’m very happy with all the songs, but two songs really sticks out and that’s “Killer” and “Seas of Thunder”. The first one almost wrote it self and the second one we had to work a lot with, but think we came up with a great vibe through the whole song and a really strong chorus on that one.
โก CLASSIC METAL ROOTS & MODERN FIRE
6.ย Ghost Avenue proudly carries the torch for traditional heavy metal โ what keeps that style exciting and alive for you?
Yes, that’s the music we grew up with, and that kind of sticks. When you are a teenager you soak it up like a sponge. It’s timeless music that dont care about trends. I think the reason that it still excites me is that the songs from that period is strong, its melodic and it has dynamic and feel. And its honest. They believe in what they’re playing and that comes across. They had a mission! And still do actually.ย
7.ย Your music has massive hooks, riffs, solos, and melody without sounding dated โ how do you balance old-school influence with modern energy?
Thank you. That’s a good question that I dont know how to answer haha… but I’ll try. I think it just comes naturally. We make music that we like and don’t bother to think about if it sounds like this or that. So maybe we just got lucky or maybe we are influenced by something that we don’t even realize?ย
8.ย What bands shaped the Ghost Avenue sound the most?
I think it’s the five of us that shaped the sound. The influence from older times is clearly there, but it’s the five of us together that make it sound like it does. If you take away one of us it may be a different story.ย
9.ย Is there a particular riff or solo on Full Throttleย that youโre especially proud of?
Oh, I tnink we came up with a lot of cool riffs, and รystein’s solos is strong on the whole album I think. I didnt play solo on this album cause I was more occupied with bashing out riffs. Im proud of the fact that we let the songs do the talking this time and didnt over do it. Instead of stacking every song with tons of riffs and passages (that we have done from time to time in the past. Some we great success and some not so much) we focused on a “less is more” approach.
๐ถ SONGWRITING, RECORDING & THE โLIVE VIBEโ
10.ย You mentioned wanting to capture a โlive vibeโ while recording this album โ why was that important?
Because we think a lot of modern music these days are over produced and lack the honesty, dynamics and feel. A lot of bands go for perfection and tons of layers and that often make it sound mechanical. It can almost sound like there is no real people behind the music. You know?
11.ย Do songs usually start from a riff, a chorus, or pure heavy metal instinct?
They usually start from a riff. That’s quite heavy metal isnt it ๐ย
12.ย In an age of polished perfection, how important is it to keep some rawness and grit in the music?
I think it’s very important. As I said in your question above here. For us music is supposed to be fun and give the listener a kick. Rawness and grit will sure help with that feeling when listening.
๐ค LIVE SHOWS & METAL COMMUNITY
13.ย Your live reputation is built on energy and passion โ whatโs the key to a great Ghost Avenue show?
The key is to have fun on stage. That rubs of on the audience. It’s also important to play tight and with energy.ย
14.ย Whatโs been one of the wildest or most memorable crowd moments youโve experienced?
There has been a bunch of memorable moments, but to play support for WASP at a sold out Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo was great. We also had a fantastic time in Cyprus playing for a wild crowd on Power of the Night Festival.ย
15.ย Does playing classic-style heavy metal attract a particularly loyal fanbase?
I think it does, and can’t lie and say that we play for very young people haha. Mostly they are men on our age, but there are of course all sorts of people from young to old, and a fair decent amount of women from time to time.
๐ด NORWAY, METAL & STAYING TRUE
16.ย Norway is legendary in heavy music circles โ how much has growing up in that environment shaped the band?
I think that enviroment, cold and dark in the winter time has had an effect on the Black Metal scene for sure. For us I dont think it has the same effect. But heavy metal is strong in this country and Scandinavia for that matter, so in that sense I’m sure it has shaped us more than we probably know.ย
17.ย Trends in music come and go, but Ghost Avenue have stayed true to classic heavy metal. Was that always non-negotiable?
We just play what we want and like to listen to, and it’s just natural for us to play classic heavy metal.ย
18.ย Have you ever felt pressure to modernise your sound more aggressively, or do you trust your instincts completely?
No preassure. Im sure if we were signed on a big lable that could be an issue, but I hope we would have stuck to what we believe in either way. Luckily we are indiependent and can do what we want.
๐ง BEHIND THE RIFFS
19.ย Six years between albums is a long time โ what have you learned about yourselves during that gap?
That kids take up a lot of your time, and thats all good, but that also mean that writing and recording an album is not something you can rush. It has to come naturally and without stress. So if that takes six year, that’s the way it has to be.
20.ย What keeps your passion for heavy metal burning after all these years?
The music and great memories over the years. The fact that bands like Iron Maiden can still be so relevant and fantastic live today proves that honest music with heart never goes away!
21.ย Whatโs the biggest challenge facing traditional metal bands in 2026?
The fact that it has been around for over 50 years its a challenge to make new music that has it’s own identity and doesnt sound dated.
๐ฎ WHATโS NEXT FOR GHOST AVENUE?
22.ย Once Full Throttleย is unleashed, whatโs next โ touring, festivals, world domination? ๐
We have some gigs planned and hopefully we can be on some festivals in the near future. World domination? I like the sound of that.ย
23.ย Are there plans to bring these new songs to UK crowds? Because honestlyโฆ we need that chaos over here ๐ค
It would be great to tour or do a few gigs in UK, where it all started way back then. We’re aware of a few cool festivals that I think could be a perfect fit for a band like us, so if you read this don’t be a stranger and contact us.
24.ย Where do you see Ghost Avenue heading over the next few years?
I hope we can do more shows abroad. I think our style of music has a better audience outside of Norway to be honest with you, so would be great to set up a few small tours in Europe somewhere.
โก FINAL RIFF REPORT QUESTION
25.ย If Full Throttleย was the soundtrack to one moment in lifeโฆ what scene plays out in your head when the album hits full volume?
As support for great bands like Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, before it’s to late…..
Thank you Michael. It’s been a pleasure. Have a good one and “All hail the riff!!”
A Huge Riff-Filled Thank You! ๐ฅ
