Rising metalcore act Ghostlike unveil the emotional depth behind their debut EP The Quiet Collapse. From raw vulnerability to cathartic strength, the band explores chaos, healing, and the beauty of being human.
1.
“Nothing’s Okay” feels like a powerful and emotional introduction to Ghostlike.
What message or feeling did you want to convey with this first single?
“Nothing’s
Okay” was our first track, and it doesn’t try to follow any formula or specific
topic. Each Ghostlike song deals with something different, but this one dives
deep into negative emotions — the ones we usually try to hide. It’s about
accepting that it’s okay to not be okay. There’s no clear resolution in the
song, and that’s intentional — because healing starts with acknowledging those
feelings first.
2. The
EP The Quiet Collapse explores identity, fear, and renewal. Can you tell us
about the concept behind this title and what “collapse” represents to you
personally?
“Collapse”
has to happen before something new can grow. That idea is at the heart of the
EP. We wanted to take listeners on that journey — through the highs and lows
that everyone goes through in some way. For me personally, I’ve faced some
difficult moments, and writing these songs became a form of therapy. It’s about
finding strength in breaking down and starting again.
3. Your
sound blends heaviness with cinematic emotion — reminiscent of Spiritbox or Bad
Omens, yet very distinct. How did you shape this balance between aggression and
atmosphere?
We all work
professionally in creative fields, and that definitely shapes how we write
music. For us, it’s about finding balance — pushing boundaries musically, but
still leaving space for those cinematic, emotional moments. The heavy parts hit
harder when they’re placed with intention, surrounded by atmosphere and
dynamics. That contrast is what makes the songs feel alive to us.
4. Each
single — “Nothing’s Okay,” “Deep Blue Sea,” and “The Price We Pay” — seems to
show a different side of the band. Was there a deliberate story arc in the
release sequence?
Yes —
there’s definitely a story behind the order. “Nothing’s Okay” is about
realizing and accepting that something is wrong. “Deep Blue Sea,” which comes
next, dives into that feeling of being lost — like drowning in your own
thoughts and emotions, when everyday life starts to feel heavy. And “The Price
We Pay” is more personal for me — it’s about facing my past, letting go, and
also calling out the kind of judgment people grow up with, especially in
religious environments. Like the metalcore band Architects once sung in one of
their songs, “We’re just a bunch of fucking animals.” We’re all the same, and
that honesty matters to me.
5. The
visuals in your music videos are striking and immersive. How important is the
visual side of Ghostlike’s identity compared to the music itself?
We believe
music is one of the most important things in life — whether you create it or
just listen to it. So why not let the visuals match that same emotional depth?
We’re lucky to be surrounded by incredibly talented, professional, creative
friends who help us bring the songs to life visually. They work so hard and
always push us into the right light. We’re really thankful for that.
6. Could
you walk us through your creative process — how a Ghostlike song usually comes
to life, from the first idea to the final mix?
Every song
comes to life in a different way. Sometimes — though rarely — it starts with a
vocal line, but most of the time it’s just hard work in the studio: building
structures, melodies, riffs, and finding the right feel for each part. Matching
the music to the emotion of the lyrics can be tough, and we’d be lying if we
said it’s always easy to make a song that truly works. Once, we challenged
ourselves — each member had to write a full song from start to finish in just
four hours. It turned out to be a great experience and showed that a good song
doesn’t need months to be created. We’re also grateful for how accessible
recording has become today — it allows us to create anywhere, anytime.
7. The
themes of loss and inner struggle appear throughout your work. Are these drawn
from personal experiences or more universal reflections on human emotion?
The themes
definitely come from personal experiences, but also from observing life in
general. I write the lyrics, and I’m constantly keeping my head, ears, and eyes
open for inspiration. Maybe some people will connect with the meaning behind
the words, and others might just love the energy and drive of the song — and
that’s totally fine. We in Ghostlike listen to all kinds of music and really
appreciate great songwriting and strong lyrics. When both come together, that’s
when a song ends up on my personal playlist.
8. The
title The Quiet Collapse suggests transformation through chaos. Do you see this
EP as the start of a longer narrative or emotional journey for Ghostlike?
We see this EP as the beginning of our journey as Ghostlike. We write and sing about what we’re dealing with in the moment, so if the themes of chaos and collapse continue in the next releases? We’ll see — but we’re also open to new chapters. Hopefully, that growth will be visible in our music and lyrics. To be honest, chaos is just part of life. Who really lives without it?
9. You
describe your music as a space where fragility meets strength. What does that
duality mean to you as artists and as people?
Being
strong doesn’t mean you can’t be fragile. Crying like a baby all night after
losing someone isn’t weakness — it’s part of being human. Finding balance
between both sides is a sign of emotional maturity. As artists, that’s what we
try to express: embracing both the strength and the fragility in life. We’re
proud to start this journey as Ghostlike, doing our best to create music we
truly love — and that hopefully connects with others. We know there will be
highs and lows after this debut, but we’ll stay strong, keep working hard, and
grow together — not just as a band, but as friends.
10. As
you build momentum toward the EP release in January 2026, what do you hope
listeners will take away after hearing The Quiet Collapse in its entirety?
We hope
people realize that, in the end, we’re all the same. Ghostlike is just a bunch
of grown-up kids who love to play and write music. We want listeners to find
beauty in everything — even in hard times. Heavy and honest, that’s who
we are.
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