Ghosts From the Beat Hotel Brings Old-School Metal Back to Life
If Black Sabbath, Metallica and Black Label Society are your kind of heavy, keep an eye on Crush the Core. The Canadian trio is ready to release its debut EP “Ghosts From the Beat Hotel” on November 6th, 2026, bringing together hard rock grit, old-school metal power and some seriously dark stories.
Formed in 2022 in Trois-RiviĂšres, Quebec, Crush the Core is made up of Phil Forget on vocals and guitar, Stef Forget on guitar and bass, and Eric “DOC” Mireault on drums. Since 2023, the band has released 11 singles, 10 lyric videos and one music video. Now, it’s time for the next step.
And this EP isn’t just about turning up the volume. Its three new tracks explore addiction, literature and some pretty disturbing characters, alongside a newly remixed and remastered version of “LIVE TO DIE”.
Four Tracks, Three New Stories
The title “Ghosts From the Beat Hotel” sets the mood, but the real stories unfold across the EP’s three new songs.
“EXTERMINATOR” – When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted
Addiction takes center stage in “EXTERMINATOR”. The song uses the image of bugs resisting powder before finally giving in, drawing a parallel with the Exterminator himself.
It’s a dark idea with a nasty twist: the one doing the exterminating eventually falls too.
“VISIONS OF JACK” – A Ride Through Kerouac’s World
The second ghost pays tribute to Jack Kerouac and his QuĂ©becois roots. “VISIONS OF JACK” brings together quotes, railroad tracks and jazz rhythms, connecting the band metal sound with the world of the Beat Generation writer.
It’s a different kind of inspiration and one that gives the EP another side beyond its heavier, darker themes.
“THE MUGWUMP SWAY” – The Darkest Ghost
Things get even stranger with “THE MUGWUMP SWAY”. Inspired by William S. Burroughs and David Cronenberg’s Naked Lunch, the track follows the Mugwump, a character who plays both dealer and addict.
Crush the Core describes this one as the darkest of the three new tracks. With that inspiration behind it, don’t expect a lighthearted ride.
A New Chapter for Crush the Core
Along with the three new songs “Ghosts From the Beat Hotel” includes a newly remixed and remastered version of “LIVE TO DIE” giving listeners another version of a track from the band existing catalog.
For a trio that has been building its catalog since 2023, this debut EP marks another step forward. The influences are clear, but the ideas behind the songs take listeners in different directions, from addiction and self-destruction to literary tributes and unsettling characters.
Crush the Core’s “Ghosts From the Beat Hotel“ arrives November 6th, 2026.
Fans of Black Sabbath, Metallica and Black Label Society should put this one on their radar. Four tracks, three new stories and a heavy sound ready to make itself heard.
Will you be checking out “Ghosts From the Beat Hotel“ when it drops?
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