
(ASPR) Staind return with a hard-hitting and customarily haunting new single "Ghosts" out now via Alchemy Recordings/BMG. It marks the group's first new music drop since 2023's chart-topping Confessions Of The Fallen. Once again, the quartet - Aaron Lewis [vocals, guitar], Mike Mushok [lead guitar], Johnny April [bass, backing vocals], and Sal Giancarelli [drums] - teamed up with producer Erik Ron [Godsmack, Bad Omens, Papa Roach] in the studio.
"Ghosts" opens with a chugging detuned riff punctuated by Mushok's signature harmonics. This deluge slips into the undertow of a stark verse pinned to April's ominous bass line and a head-nodding beat courtesy of Giancarelli. The groove quakes beneath Lewis' instantly recognizable vocals.
Distortion boosts an unshakable refrain, and the frontman laments, "Fading and failing...Ghosts that I've never found." Veering from one extreme to the next, the track alternates between a beautiful bridge and a bludgeoning last gasp powered by his guttural scream.
You could say "Ghosts" conjures the past, present, and future eras of STAIND all into one concentrated and cathartic burst of emotion and energy.
"We went down to Nashville for a writing trip with Erik," recalls Mushok. "We had gotten together, and I came up with the riff on the spot. From there, Erik and I put the track together in just one day and finished it up. Aaron listened to it a little later and did this really great vocal over it. 'Ghosts' ended up being a very dynamic song."
"It seemed like everybody had gravitated towards 'Ghosts,'" adds Lewis. "It's a little different, and it surprised all of us. It's got some heavy elements, but it's certainly melodic too. It's definitely STAIND."
It also just heralds a whole lot more to come from STAIND very soon.
After selling out nearly every date of the first leg of the North American Break The Cycle 25th Anniversary Tour, the band will return to the road for round two in 2027.
Of course, they're celebrating 25 years of their breakout 2001 opus, Break The Cycle, which just picked up a 7x-Platinum Certification, logged three weeks at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 in the summer of its release, and spawned generational hits like "It's Been A While" and "Warm Safe Place." Thanks to a groundswell of fan support, the latter exploded on TikTok as 2026's most unexpected viral phenomenon, bringing the quartet's streams past the 1-billion mark this year!
Staind Announce New Break The Cycle 25th Anniversary Tour Leg
Aaron Lewis Launching The Acoustic Origins Tour
Aaron Lewis Releases His New Album 'Give My Country Back'
Staind Share 'It's Been Awhile' Video From Break The Cycle - 25th Anniversary Live Album
Cruise News: Little Steven's Underground Garage Cruise Adds Additional Acts
News and Gift Ideas for Dolly Parton Fans
Live: Candlelight Open Air Halloween Show
LOLO Gets Festive With 'Mall Santa'
See Previously Unseen Scott Weiland Clips In 'Vasoline (Live)' Video
Stand Atlantic Deliver New Album 'GODBREATH'
My Chemical Romance Release 'The Black Parade (20th Anniversary)' Expanded Deluxe Collection
Watch Deep Purple's 'Splat!' Video
Bad Wolves Reveal Dolly Parton Duet Of 'Jolene'
Motion City Soundtrack Stream Expanded 'The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World'
Taylor Acorn Shares 'Battery' Visualizer As Deluxe Album Arrives
Blink-182, Korn, Falling in Reverse Join Iron Maiden As Sonic Temple Headliners
Queens Of The Stone Age Announce 2027 US Tour
NEEDTOBREATHE Stream New Song 'Never Gonna Deserve Ya' Feat. Evan Honer
Dayseeker Announce 'Creature In the Black Night' Expanded Edition