Soultrace come from the German rock and metal scene, but the band’s way of writing is not especially interested in staying inside fixed lines. Stefan Fronk describes the group as a meeting point between melodic rock, metal and emotional weight, with songs meant to hit hard while still staying open and direct. That balance runs through “Ghost of Liberty”, an album shaped by anger at the unequal distribution of resources, distrust of those in power, and a broader sense that the social and political ground has shifted. Released a year after “Born Again”, it shows a band that did not stop writing once one record was done. The themes simply grew sharper, and the next group of songs gave them a place to land.
“The record is about the unjust distribution of resources in our world and about having the courage to speak out about it.”
“Calm B4 the Storm” sits early on “Ghost of Liberty”. At what point did you realise the song had its own identity, and what made it important enough to push forward now?
Its speed and catchiness made it stand out quite early. For us, it became a key song on the record. Lyrically, it deals with the unjust distribution of resources on our planet and within society, which is one of the central ideas behind the album.
“Ghost of Liberty” came only a year after “Born Again”. What changed inside the band between those two records that made this album possible?
For Andy Susemihl and me, the songwriting did not stop after “Born Again”. We kept going. “Born Again” was about refusing to give up and finding new paths, and that spirit carried on into the writing that led to “Ghost of Liberty”.
“Ghost of Liberty” is a strong title because it sounds political, personal and a little haunted at the same time. When that phrase became the name of the record, what did it open up for you?
Once “Ghost of Liberty” became the title, it gave the album a clear focus. The record is about the unjust distribution of resources in our world and about having the courage to speak out about it.
This album runs from titles like “Wicked World” and “Bringer of Pain” through to “Old World”, which gives the record a darker pull from start to finish. What thread was holding those songs together while you were writing?
“Wicked World” deals with the lies of those in power. “Old World” is about a longing for the old world and its values. The thread connecting those songs is the current political, economic and social situation in Western society.
AFRICA.ROCKS speaks to readers across African scenes and the diaspora, where metal often grows through small, stubborn communities. From your side, what kind of connection do you hope Soultrace can build with listeners outside the usual European circuit?
We’re glad to introduce ourselves through AFRICA.ROCKS and be part of that musical diversity. Even in a small community, every listener and every fan matters to us. We hope to build real connections, and we’re also happy to say that new music is on the way.
Listen to Ghost of Liberty on Spotify.
