I Am Ghost was an American post-hardcore band from Long Beach, California, … Read Full Bio ↴I Am Ghost was an American post-hardcore band from Long Beach, California, conceived of and founded by Steven Juliano in 2004. They were signed to Epitaph Records from 2005 to 2010, before splitting up in July 2010. They briefly reunited on April 28, 2016.

I Am Ghost self-recorded a demo a few months after forming in 2004, for the sole purpose of booking shows locally. Prior to being signed the band gave away copies of their 6 track demo free of charge. Even before the band had played a single show, I Am Ghost had given away thousands of copies of their demo We Are Always Searching. Later, when I Am Ghost signed to Epitaph Records, they added 3 new tracks, artwork and, on October 25, 2005, re-released it as an EP.

I Am Ghost's first full length album Lovers' Requiem was released on October 10, 2006. Lead vocalist Steven Juliano explains, "It’s essentially a rock opera, but for hardcore or goth kids."

I Am Ghost has also had several media mentions in alternative magazines, including a Metal Hammer Interview. They also have been interviewed for several websites, and had their EP reviewed in several UK music magazines. Not only have they had their EP reviewed in Metal Hammer, they've also been included in the publications's Dead Hot 50 Band's of 2006 List.

Final Line-up:

* Ron Ficarro - Bass/Vocals
* Timoteo Rosales III - Lead Guitar
* Justin McCarthy- Drums
* Chadd Kulengosky- Rhythm Guitar/Back up Vocals

Former members:

* Steve Juliano - Lead Vocals
* Brian Telestai - Bass, Keys, Vocals
* Kerith Telestai - Violin, Vocals
* Victor Angel Camarena - Drums (Tracks 2-9 on We Are Always Searching)
* Ryan Seaman- Drums (Tracks 2-12 on Lovers' Requiem)
* Gabe Iraheta- Guitar

Crossing the River Styx
I Am Ghost Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Choir:]
Requiem...
Kyrie Elesion
Gratia tua illis succurrente
Mereantur evadere judicium
Fac eas de morte transire ad vitam
Et in memoria aeterna erit
Requiem...

(Rest...
Lord, have mercy
By the help of Thy grace
May they be enabled to escape the judgement
Grant them to pass over from death to life
And they shall live in memory everlasting.
Rest...)

[Soprano Solo:]
Tantus labor non sit cassus
Ne me perdas

(Such travail must not be in vain
Do not let me be lost)

[Tenor Solo:]
Cor Contritum quasi cinis
Quem patronum rogarturus?
Ne me perdas

(My heart is as though ground to ashes

To which protector shall I appeal?
Do not let me be lost)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to I Am Ghost's song Crossing the River Styx contain a mixture of Latin and English verses, featuring solo and choir parts. The opening choir part is a prayer, asking for God's mercy and grace to help the souls cross the river Styx from death to life, and be remembered forever. The soprano solo part expresses the desire for life's difficult struggles and efforts not to be in vain, pleading to not be lost. The tenor solo part portrays a broken heart, requesting a protector's aid in not being lost.

The song's lyrics imply a strong connection to death and the afterlife, with references to the river Styx, a Greek mythological river that separates the underworld from the world of the living. The choir's prayer emphasizes the importance of attaining redemption and forgiveness to be able to cross the river, whereas the solo parts express personal doubts and fears that the soul may not make it. The song expresses a sense of urgency and need for divine intervention for the soul to achieve salvation.

Line by Line Meaning

Choir: Requiem...
The choir sings a requiem, a musical composition that prays for the souls of the departed.

Choir: Kyrie Elesion
The choir repeats the Kyrie Eleison, a short prayer for God's mercy.

Choir: Gratia tua illis succurrente
The choir asks for God's grace to assist the souls they are praying for.

Choir: Mereantur evadere judicium
The choir prays that the souls may be worthy to escape the final judgement and find salvation.

Choir: Fac eas de morte transire ad vitam
The choir asks God to allow the departed souls to pass from death into a new life.

Choir: Et in memoria aeterna erit Requiem...
The choir sings that the souls will live on in everlasting memory and asks for eternal rest.

[Soprano Solo:] Tantus labor non sit cassus
The soprano soloist prays that the great effort made by the departed is not in vain.

[Soprano Solo:] Ne me perdas
The soprano soloist pleads to not be lost, to not fall into damnation.

[Tenor Solo:] Cor Contritum quasi cinis
The tenor soloist laments his or her heart being crushed like ashes, probably due to regret over past sins.

[Tenor Solo:] Quem patronum rogarturus?
The tenor soloist questions which protector he or she could ask for salvation, showing desperation and humility.

[Tenor Solo:] Ne me perdas
The tenor soloist echoes the soprano soloist's plea to not be lost.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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