''Forsaken'' is the debut album from the Irish three piece indie/ art rock band,
Hail the Ghost, which was released independently on March 6, 2015 on CD and Digital formats. The music on the album was described as "ambient, cinematic alternative rock" by lead singer and songwriter,
Kieran O'Reilly.
Recording
The album was recorded, mixed and mastered in JAM Studios, Kells, County Meath in Ireland between January 2014 and January 2015. The album was Produced by Kieran O'Reilly and Martin Quinn.
Album artwork
The artwork for the album was a photograph taken by O'Reilly's on-screen Love/Hate co-star,
Brían F. O'Byrne
Brían Francis O'Byrne (born 16 May 1967) is an Irish actor who works and lives in the United States. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his role in the miniseries ''Mildred Pierce'' (2011) and won a BAFTA TV Award for his role in ...
, who took the photograph of his youngest daughter, Oona, while at home in Cavan. The image is entitled "Oona hears a noise".
Album release
Critical reception
The album received favourable reviews; Tony Clayton-Lea (
The Irish Times
''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is considered a newspaper ...
) wrote a review on the album for HMV stating, "Hail The Ghost comes across not so much a side or vanity project as a bona fide artistic statement." The album was acknowledged well critically with Hotpress Magazine stating, "The playing throughout is impeccable, and the production pristine, with every instrument allowed to breathe naturally. The overall effect is one of gorgeous contemplative calm. Excellent."
[''Hotpress Magazine'', 2 November 2015, vol: 39, issue: 4, p. 119.] The Irish Independent's review of the album included, "Forsaken is unambiguously from the heart" and the "unremitting bleakness is curiously endearing."
Dublin Concerts described the album as an "Impossibly beautiful album". The Sunday Times referred to Hail the Ghost as "A winningly downbeat ensemble." Hail the Ghost also performed at Ireland's
Electric Picnic
Electric Picnic is an annual arts-and-music festival which has been staged since 2004 at Stradbally Hall in Stradbally, County Laois, Ireland. It is organised by Pod Concerts and Festival Republic, who purchased the majority shareholding in ...
Festival 2015
Charts
Forsaken reached number 2 in the Irish Alternative iTunes Chart in its first week and following an appearance on The Saturday Night Show, the album re-entered the Alternative Irish Charts at number 7 and climbed to number 3 in the Irish Alternative iTunes Chart. Forsaken peaked at number 67 in the Irish National Music Charts
Personnel
;Hail the Ghost
*
Kieran O'Reilly – Vocals, Backing Vocals, Drums & Guitar
*Eamonn Young – Guitars
*Ian Corr – Piano/Keyboards
;Additional contributors
*Martin Quinn - Bass Guitar, Electric/Acoustic Guitars and Keyboards
*Joe Harney (Deaf Joe) – Backing Vocals on 'Headstoned' and 'Drift'
;Technical Personnel
*Producer – Kieran O'Reilly & Martin Quinn
*Engineer/Mixer – Martin Quinn
*Mastering – Martin Quinn
;Live musicians
*Kieran O'Reilly – Vocals & Guitar
*Eamonn Young – Guitar
*Ian Corr – Keyboards
*Martin Quinn – Bass & Backing Vocals
*Paul Higgins – Guitars
*Gavin Mulhall – Drums
Track listing
Notes
{{Authority control
2015 albums
Hail The Ghost albums