Ghost Hounds Release New Album JUSTIFIED via Maple House Records
Frontman SAVNT discusses the concept behind focus track Pale Horse and its accompanying music video.
Country-rock band Ghost Hounds released their new record Justified via Maple House Records. With this album, the band delivers what is being described as its most fully realized statement yet, expanding its Signature Sound into a blend of timeless rock, vibrant soul, blues and genuine country. The album can be heard here.
Built around stories of redemption and hard-earned resilience, the album is expansive in its approach to genre, and polished in its sound, simultaneously at home on the backroads or blasting through arena speakers. Album focus-track 'Pale Horse' features stomping drums and blistering guitars that are all gas and no brakes.
On 'Pale Horse', vocalist Savnt shared, 'If 'Something Wicked' is the Prelude, 'Pale Horse' is Chapter 1. When Thomas initially brought this song to me and Tyler, following 'Something Wicked' and 'Sinner's Prayer', it became clear to me that this project had a clear concept. A story told in books, movies, even TV shows- stories about an Apocalypse and the end of the world as we know it... a story that is rarely put to song and I think that's made it all the more exciting! Thomas started playing this eerily cool riff, Tyler caught onto it immediately and I listened to the riff and read the lyrics, the melody of the chorus felt like it wanted to be anthemic. 'Pale Horse' has quickly become a band favorite but moreover, this song begs the question, are we living in the times the old folks warned us about?'
Ghost Hounds features charismatic frontman Savnt, a soulful singer who cites Sam Cooke, Prince, and Lenny Kravitz as his chief influences but who also grew up listening to Willie Nelson, Keith Urban, and Brooks & Dunn. He went from performing at house gigs to stadiums when Ghost Hounds asked him to join them on tour dates opening for The Rolling Stones. The powerful way he approaches a song makes him the perfect voice to bring the songwriting of Ghost Hounds founder, producer, and guitarist Thomas Tull to vivid life. Ghost Hounds also feature guitarist Tyler Chiarelli, Nashville fiddle star Kristin Weber, keyboardist Joe Munroe, bassist Bennett Miller, and drummer Sydney Driver.
'The way Thomas writes, he knows what the guy in his song had for breakfast that morning. He's really building a character,' Savnt says.
The album features previously released single and Tull-penned soulful title track 'Justified,' as well as previous single 'Sinner's Prayer,' a brooding roots-rock track which was premiered by Cowboys & Indians Magazine. Other highlights include the deeply soulful country-rock of 'Chasing Yesterday.' The atmospheric storytelling and conflagrant guitar of 'Something Wicked.' The modern western meets rock of 'Here No More.' The catchy contemporary country influenced and thoughtful track 'War Inside.' The album also boasts unique covers of classics, including The Rolling Stones' 'Gimme Shelter,' Freddie King's 'Going Down,' and gospel masterpiece, 'Amazing Grace,' which Ghost Hounds make wholly their own.
Major milestones for Ghost Hounds include performing at The Grand Ole Opry, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and a breakout AmericanaFest week with a headline slot at the National Museum of African American Music, where Savnt was honored with a special exhibit spotlighting his artistry and cultural impact. Known for their explosive live performances, in addition to touring with The Rolling Stones, the band has also opened for ZZ Top, Bob Seger, and Garth Brooks, while their breakout single 'Last Train to Nowhere' was featured in the series Special Ops: Lioness, further cementing their reputation for playing country-rock on their own terms.
Ghost Hounds are building on the foundation they created with their 2019 debut Roses Are Black. The albums A Little Calamity, You Broke Me, and First Last Time— which featured the streaming hit 'Last Train to Nowhere,' as well as 2025's Almost Home, which featured guest appearances by Lainey Wilson and Patty Griffin, all of which helped propel Ghost Hounds towards their most realized and accomplished release to date.
'We are so proud of Justified. We were able to draw from so many of our influences and put forth a record that we feel really sounds like a culmination of all the parts becoming the whole,' lead guitarist Tyler Chiarelli says. 'At the center of that is Savnt. His vocals were able to traverse so much ground, and it was so amazing to witness him find new dimensions of his voice in the process. From blues to country to rock, he brought all of the songs to life.'
As demonstrated on Justified, Ghost Hounds are a band driven by sharp songwriting instinct and deep musical chemistry, each with the same goal: to forge a genuine connection with people through their albums and their live concerts — genre be damned.
'We don't really care about rules or genres. When we write, record, or perform, the songs could be country, Americana, soul, or blues-rock,' Savnt says. 'It's all of our influences, mixed together. And there's nothing better than that.'
Tracklist
1. Something Wicked
2. Sinner's Prayer
3. Gimme Shelter
4. Justified
5. War Inside
6. Pale Horse
7. Going Down
8. Chasing Yesterday
9. Here No More
10. After You
11. Amazing Grace
Tour Dates
Aug 21 Fri - Dewey Beach, DE - Bottle & Cork
Aug 23 Sun - Nashville, TN - Third & Lindsley
Aug 28 Fri - Knoxville, TN - Barley's Taproom
Photo Credit: Mark Seliger | High res
Photo Credit: Mark Seliger | High res
