In 2022, Guerrilla Ghost had itself a year. The politically-pointed industrial hip-hop duo composed of vocalist Bad Graphics Ghost and producer Tron Jovi released three albums during a span of just seven months. Following that unprecedented period of productivity, the project took some well-deserved time off.
During the “self-imposed slowdown” Tron Jovi kept busy by releasing solo material and starting an Italo Disco-inspired endeavor called Diamond Life. Meanwhile, Bad Graphics Ghost was featured on 2024 local song of the year candidate “Give Me Something” off Spacecrime‘s Sounds From The Milky Way album. Beyond getting a chance to recharge and explore different creative terrain during Guerrilla Ghost’s hiatus, it’s possible the outspoken and irreverent pair needed a break to allow its reservoir of political and social outrage to replenish.
Sadly, the world that gave the project plenty to rap about in 2022 has only gotten significantly more awful, shamelessly cruel, and divided over the past three years. Guerrilla Ghost’s reservoir is now full—running over and flooding the streets, in fact—once more, which means it’s about time for another record. On Friday, July 4, Bad Graphics Ghost and Tron Jovi will effectively end the hiatus by releasing The Fool, which is quite possibly Guerrilla Ghost’s most brash, angry, and politically charged album yet.
After setting the tone with downcast and abrasive opening tracks “Guerrilla Ghost Spelled Wrong” and “Knight Of Swords,” Bad Graphics Ghost turns his attention to the ever-worsening state of the country under the current administration on the dour “With Liberty” and then runs down a laundry list of politicians and cable news pundits he loathes on the all-around irate “Taylor Greene.” Guerrilla Ghost turns the rage up to 11 on “Judgement,” a blistering, distorted, and scream-stuffed takedown of the American justice system that gets a vocal assist from none other than Daniel Kubinski of Die Kreuzen and The Crosses fame.
In addition to Kubinski’s contribution, The Fool also sees vocal support from Commakazee and Mad Static, each of whom appear on five tracks. Kevin DeMars (who releases music under the Vectors Of Resonant Prescients moniker) also contributes some dream-like guitar parts to the dreary “Insomniac.” As refreshing and welcome as those guest appearances are, The Fool‘s greatest assets come from Bad Graphics Ghost’s uncanny ability to articulate the anger so many are feeling right now and his willingness to speak honestly about struggles with sobriety in a world gone mad. When paired with Tron Jovi’s mood-matching production, Guerrilla Ghost’s latest album is expansive, cathartic, and able to effectively encapsulate the very stupid and mostly awful reality we’re all trying to navigate.
Before The Fool is released on digital and CD formats via Triple Eye Industries on Friday, July 4, you can listen to the album in its entirety exclusively on Milwaukee Record.