In Becoming a Ghost

In Becoming a Ghost is the fourth studio album by The Faceless. It was released on December 1, 2017 through Sumerian Records. It is the only album with Abigail Williams' Ken Sorceron on vocals,[1] The Zenith Passage's Justin McKinney on guitar and Chason Westmoreland, formerly of Hate Eternal, session drumming. The album debuted at #66 on the Billboard Top Current Albums chart.[2]

In Becoming a Ghost
Studio album by
The Faceless
ReleasedDecember 1, 2017
GenreTechnical death metal, progressive metal, black metal
Length42:42
LabelSumerian Records
ProducerMichael Keene
The Faceless chronology
Autotheism
(2012)		 In Becoming a Ghost
(2017)
Singles from In Becoming a Ghost
  1. "The Spiraling Void"
    Released: September 28, 2015
  2. "Black Star"
    Released: June 9, 2017
  3. "Digging the Grave"
    Released: October 30, 2017

Michael Keene tracked the bass on the entire album by himself. This is also the first The Faceless LP to feature songs recorded with Drop A tuning using seven string guitars as well as E standard tuning on 6 string guitars.[3] It is their first full-length release in five years, the last being 2012's Autotheism.[4]

Background, recording, and promotion

In a July 2016 interview with Metal Injection, guitarist Justin McKinney stated that In Becoming a Ghost (which at the time was still officially unnamed) was "pretty much done".[5] McKinney had joined in February of the same year.[6] In April 2017 in an interview with The PRP, Keene speculated at an August release date.[7]

Only one single, "Digging the Grave" was released in promotion of the album's December release date.[8]

The first single from the album, "The Spiraling Void", from September 2015, as well as the second single, "Black Star", released over two years later in June 2017, were put out before an official release date was set for the album.[9][10]

"The Spiraling Void" featured Derek Rydquist on vocals.[11] Rydquist was no longer in a position to tour, but remaining good friends with Michael, he recorded the track with both parties knowing he wouldn’t be touring with the group. Keene has said that “Derek will always have a place in The Faceless. Be it just recording or occasional appearances”. Rydquist appeared on several other songs on the record as well.

This was also the first record to include a cover song. A very unique take on the song “Shake the Disease” by Depeche Mode was part of the track listing. This would prove to be by far the most experimental record by The Faceless to date.

Release & reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
MetalInjection9.5/10[12]
ItDjents7.5/10[13]

Metal Injection reviewer Michael Pementel gave the album 9.5/10, calling it a "magnificent work of sinister mysteries and pure artistry."[14]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Michael Keene, except where noted.

No.TitleMusicLength
1."In Becoming a Ghost" 1:00
2."Digging the Grave" 5:12
3."Black Star" 5:38
4."Cup of Mephistopheles"Keene, McKinney5:29
5."The Spiraling Void"Keene, McKinney5:27
6."Shake the Disease" (Depeche Mode cover)Martin Gore5:42
7."I Am" 5:56
8."Ghost Reprise" 1:00
9."(Instru)mental Illness" 2:20
10."The Terminal Breath" 4:58
Total length:42:42

Personnel
The Faceless
  • Michael "Machine" Keene – guitars, clean vocals, bass, keyboards, vocoder, orchestration, programming, engineering, mixing, mastering, production
  • Justin McKinney – guitar solos (track 2, 3), partial orchestration contribution (4)
  • Chason Westmoreland – drums
  • Ken "Sorceron" Bergeron – screamed vocals
Additional personnel
  • Sergio Flores – flute solo (2)
  • Derek "Demon Carcass" Rydquist – lead vocals (5), additional vocals (6, 7)

Charts
Chart (2017) Peak
position
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[15] 16
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[16] 8

References
  1. THE FACELESS' New Frontman Is ABIGAIL WILLIAMS' Ken Sorceron
  2. "Billboard Top Current Album Sales the Week of 12-23-2017". Billboard. December 23, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  3. "Justin McKinney - Black Star". Facebook. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  4. Slingerland, Calum (2017-10-19). "The Faceless Return with 'In Becoming a Ghost'". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  5. "THE FACELESS Guitarist On Upcoming Album: "It's Pretty Much Done;" Hints At New Vocalist". Metal Injection. 2016-07-22. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  6. "And the New Guitarist for The Faceless is..." MetalSucks. 2015-02-26. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  7. "The Faceless Finishing Up New Album, Planning 10th Anniversary "Planetary Duality" Release". Theprp.com. 2017-04-21. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  8. "The Faceless Premiere New Song "Digging the Grave"". MetalSucks. 2017-10-31. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  9. "The Faceless Release New Song, "The Spiraling Void" + Release U.S. Tour Dates". MetalSucks. 2015-09-28. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  10. "Listen to The Faceless' Killer New Song, "Black Star"". MetalSucks. 2017-06-10. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  11. "THE FACELESS Guitarist On Upcoming Album: "It's Pretty Much Done;" Hints At New Vocalist". Metal Injection. 2016-07-22. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  12. "Album Review: THE FACELESS In Becoming A Ghost". metalinjection.net. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  13. "REVIEW: The Faceless – "In Becoming A Ghost"". idjents.com. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  14. "Album Review: THE FACELESS In Becoming A Ghost". Metal Injection. 2017-11-29. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  15. "The Faceless Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard.
  16. "The Faceless Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard.
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