New Hampshire’s heavy hitters Great American Ghost — Ethan Harrison (vocals), Niko Gasparrini (guitar), Grayson Stewart (guitar), and Anthony Laur (bass) — have just dropped a blistering cover of Deftones’ 2006 classic “Hole in the Earth.”
While it may appear like an unexpected pick from a band known for their politically charged hardcore, the emotional gravity of the original track mirrors the headspace the band found themselves in during recording. The result? A searing, post-hardcore version that honors the Deftones‘ original while injecting it with the kinetic aggression that defines GAG’s sound.
“‘Hole in the Earth‘ was our first and only choice when we decided to tackle a Deftones song,” says frontman Harrison. “Not only is it our collective favorite by one of our biggest influences, but the subject matter really resonated with us at the time of recording. I’d encourage anyone listening to explore the story behind the song — and know that GAG was in a very similar place when we tracked this. We’re really proud of how it turned out.”
Since forming in 2012, Great American Ghost has built a reputation for unrelenting energy and brutally honest songwriting. From their early records Everyone Leaves (2015) and Hatred Stems From The Seed (2017) to 2020’s Power Through Terror (named one of RIFF’s 60 Best Metal Albums of the year), the band has steadily evolved. Their 2022 Torture World EP, produced by Will Putney, was praised by No Echo as “as brutal as its title suggests,” and by V13 as “fourteen savage minutes that will absolutely maul you.”
Now signed to Sharptone Records, the band released their latest album Tragedy of the Commons in early 2025 — a record that marks another step forward in their punishing yet emotionally resonant sound.
I’m Drew, the founder and editor of Front of the Stage. I have a strong love for music and photography, which started at a very young age. There’s just something I love about experiencing live music and capturing memories that will last a lifetime, and that’s how Front of the Stage came to be.
