Ghost Avenue – ‘Full Throttle’

(Independent)

Strap in, crank it loud, and maybe stretch that neck first, because ‘Full Throttle’ by Ghost Avenue comes at you fast and heavy with no mercy. This is old school heavy metal with the dial snapped off, a roaring, chrome-plated beast that lives for speed, attitude, and unapologetic volume.

From the moment this record fires up, you’re hit with a wall of fast, razor-edged guitar riffs that feel like they were forged in the golden age of metal but sharpened for modern ears. The twin-guitar attack is relentless, tight, melodic when it needs to be, but never soft. Every riff feels built to make heads bang in unison, and trust me, by the halfway mark you’ll already be feeling it in your neck.

The rhythm section is a runaway engine. The drums don’t just keep time, they drive the whole machine forward with pounding authority, while the bass rumbles underneath like distant thunder, giving everything that extra punch. This is the kind of rhythm work that demands movement. Sitting still isn’t an option; you’ll be tapping, stomping, or full-on air-drumming before you know it.

And then there’s Kim Ihsak Sandvik’s vocals, searing, powerful, and dripping with classic metal attitude. There’s a grit here that cuts through the mix without ever losing control, striking that sweet spot between melody and raw aggression. He has the kind of voice that commands you to throw your leather jacket on, raise your fists high, and shout along whether you know the words or not.

What really sells ‘Full Throttle’ is its commitment to the spirit of heavy metal. There’s no trend-chasing here, no watered-down moments, just pure, unfiltered energy. It captures that feeling of late-night drives, open roads, and the freedom that only loud music can deliver. You can practically smell the gasoline and worn leather as the album tears past you.

By the time it wraps up, you’re left buzzing, a little worn out, and probably grinning like you just survived a high-speed joyride. Ghost Avenue aren’t reinventing the wheel but they’ve bolted spikes onto it and set it spinning at maximum velocity.

‘Full Throttle’ does exactly what it promises. It’ll make you want to throw on your leather jacket, raise your fists high, and lose yourself in the noise. Just don’t be surprised if you wake up the next day with a sore neck, trust me you’ve been warned.

7/10

Essential Track – ‘Full Throttle’

Review by Woody