The Ghost Inside's Engine 45 And Comeback From Tragedy

The Story Behind The Ghost Inside's Engine 45

The Ghost Inside is an American metalcore band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2004, the band is known for their heavy yet melodic sound and high energy live shows. One of their most popular songs is "Engine 45" from their 2011 album Returners.

"Engine 45" stands out as one of The Ghost Inside's most unique tracks, diverging from their typical metalcore sound with a more rock-oriented hard rock vibe. The song tells the story of a fire engine racing to the scene of an emergency, with urgent vocals and fast-paced instrumentation creating a tone of drama and suspense.

Lyrical Meaning and Inspiration

According to vocalist Jonathan Vigil, "Engine 45" was inspired by an actual event involving a fire engine with the number 45 that responded when his childhood home burned down. The lyrics describe the fire engine racing to the fire, speeding through traffic, and arriving to put out the flames and save lives.

Lines like "Ten codes race off of their tongue" refer to the communication between dispatchers and firefighters using 10-codes. The song vividly captures the adrenaline and danger inherent in the job of a firefighter responding to an emergency.

Musical Style and Composition

Musically, "Engine 45" showcases a different side of The Ghost Inside's sound. Rather than metalcore, the song pulls influence from hard rock and post-grunge with its verse-chorus structure and vocal melody. Driving percussion and chunky guitar riffs give the track an insistent, uptempo feel throughout.

The song opens with the sound of radio chatter and a fire engine siren before launching into an urgent verse powered by syncopated riffing and Vigil's raspy vocals. The chorus provides a catchy singalong refrain to match the song's rock-oriented sound. Short breakdowns add metallic crunch while also allowing space to highlight the fire engine siren looped throughout the track.

Reception and Legacy

"Engine 45" remains a fan favorite at The Ghost Inside's live shows, always igniting circle pits with its infectious energy. Its unique sound and theme stand out in the band's catalog. The song's crossover rock appeal also earned The Ghost Inside new fans beyond their core metal audience.

The Ghost Inside cleverly incorporated additional fire engine sounds when performing "Engine 45" live, using a portable siren that added to the song's imagery and excitement. This helped establish "Engine 45" as a highlight of the band's sets.

While The Ghost Inside returned to a heavier metalcore style on later releases, "Engine 45" showed their versatility and range. Expanding beyond expectations of the genre, the song's mix of rock and metal still represents a career highlight years later.

The Ghost Inside's Return After Tragedy

In November 2015, The Ghost Inside was involved in a devastating tour bus crash while traveling through Texas. The accident claimed the lives of both bus drivers and left the band members with critical, life-threatening injuries.

After months of recovery, the surviving members of The Ghost Inside refused to let the tragedy end their musical pursuits. Through determination and resilience, vocalist Vigil and drummer Andrew Tkaczyk underwent intensive physical rehabilitation to be able to perform again after the injuries they sustained.

Overwhelming Fan Support

As news spread of the bus crash, The Ghost Inside received an outpouring of support from fans all over the world wishing them well during their recoveries. Many fans related to the band's perseverance and optimism in the face of adversity.

The rallying cry "Stay Sick" became synonymous with The Ghost Inside's recovery, appearing on t-shirts and social media posts from the band and their fans. It acknowledged the difficult road ahead while also affirming their continued passion for music.

Sold-Out Comeback Show

After three long years, The Ghost Inside finally made their on-stage return on July 13, 2019 with a sold-out hometown show at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Exceeding all expectations, Vigil and Tkaczyk performed the entire set, marking an emotional moment for the band and their fans.

The comeback show coincided with the release of their new self-titled album, which also exceeded expectations by debuting in the top 30 on the Billboard 200 charts. This remarkable achievement proved The Ghost Inside's comeback was complete.

Continuing the Music

The Ghost Inside's return to live performances quickly led to touring internationally again as vigorous as ever. Their resilience spoke to the transcendent power of music and community. Though the band members still felt effects from their injuries, they pushed through everything the best they could to keep doing what they loved. The Ghost Inside's comeback remains an inspiration, showing the human spirit's ability to endure and overcome.

Engine 45 will always hold a special place in The Ghost Inside's catalog. But their entire post-crash career stands as a testament to passion and perseverance through incredible hardship. The band lives up to their motto "Stay Sick" by never giving up hope or giving in to adversity.

FAQs

What inspired the lyrics of "Engine 45"?

The lyrics were inspired by singer Jonathan Vigil's childhood experience of a fire engine with the number 45 responding when his home burned down. It tells the story of firefighters racing to an emergency.

What musical style is "Engine 45"?

"Engine 45" has a hard rock and post-grunge sound, unlike The Ghost Inside's typical metalcore style. It has an upbeat tempo, driving riffs, and a catchy melodic chorus.

How did fans support The Ghost Inside after their bus crash?

Fans overwhelming showed support with the rallying cry "Stay Sick" on social media and at their comeback show. This acknowledged the challenges while affirming the band's perseverance.

When did The Ghost Inside return to live performances after the crash?

After intense rehab, The Ghost Inside returned 3 years later on July 13, 2019 with an emotional sold-out hometown show in Los Angeles.

How did The Ghost Inside exceed expectations with their comeback?

Despite injuries, they performed high energy full sets. Their new album debuted top 30, proving their comeback was complete after tragedy.