The underground rap scene is full of many unusual and exciting new developments, but none over the past few years have captured my ears in the same way that the Haunted Mound collective has. Spearheaded by rapper-producer Sematary, their songs take much influence from 2000s and 2010s trap artists such as Chief Keef and Gucci Mane as they do the droning synthesizers of witch house and the discordant riffs of black metal. It’s an unusual combination, but when it’s topped off with horror-movie-esque lyricism and blown-out mixes, you get some of the most interesting music to come out of SoundCloud in the past half-decade.
Sematary certainly deserves credit as the driving force behind Haunted Mound, but he’s never worked alone. Back when it all started, back before the cult-like fanbase and tours, he had one partner in crime: Ghost Mountain. With his more emo-rap-derived vocal style and penchant for evocative imagery, he offered a strong counterpoint to Sematary’s abrasive production and subject matter. He would become a fan favorite through his features and contributions to collaborative projects despite his solo output being almost non-existent; consisting of a single song released in 2020. This led to him garnering an almost myth-like status among the fanbase, a reputation that would only be further strengthened after it was announced in early 2021 that he would be quitting music to focus on other personal pursuits.
While Haunted Mound would continue to grow — in both members and popularity — it was undeniable that something changed after Ghost Mountain left. Sematary and the new members were still releasing quality music, but it lacked the more emotive and genuine edge that made their older output so special. Fans, myself included, kept a small hope that Ghost Mountain would somehow return, but given his complete lack of an internet presence post-retirement, that seemed almost entirely out of the question. At least, that’s what it seemed like until this past week.
On Sept. 22, 2024, Ghost Mountain’s Instagram account would un-private and make a cryptic, captionless post. When other Haunted Mound members began sharing the post, fans began to wildly speculate that he may be returning to music. These rumors would be confirmed later that week with the single “Apollon,” Ghost Mountain’s first release in over three years.
The instrumental provided by oscar18 (one of the producers who joined the collective following Ghost Mountain’s departure), bears more resemblance to the gothic synthpop of an act like Depeche Mode than the standard Haunted Mound affair. However, it’s a more than welcome change of pace for the group. “Apollon” wastes almost no time getting to the point, with a brief drum intro leading into massive synth lines and densely layered vocals.
Ghost Mountain is just as strong of a performer as he was when he left, as his melancholic singing makes him sound like a specter haunting the track. He was always the strongest writer in the group, but his lyrics here show that his pen has only improved in his absence, being more poetic and mystical than ever. As “Apollon” builds to its chorus, he seems to reminisce about his departure from and subsequent return to Haunted Mound while simultaneously comparing himself to the Greek god of Apollo.
“With seven strong now I’m dead and gone /
Cut off my wings by the break of dawn /
I sang a song, now it’s said and done /
Keep a lyre and a bow like I’m Apollon.”
The song is less like a triumphant return and more like a bittersweet reunion between old friends. There’s still a sense of catharsis here, but it’s more like the sigh you let out at the end of a long day than anything else. As the song continues into its second verse, Ghost Mountain’s lyrics get even more abstract. He intertwines further references to Greek mythology with lines directly aimed at some unknown figure — potentially a representation of the other members of the group or the fans who were awaiting him.
“I feel alone when I speak to you /
Moirai cut the line from the old news /
Does it feel right how we live to you? /
I’ve been reaching out, but you never knew.”
I hadn’t considered another Ghost Mountain song releasing as something that was even possible until a week ago, but now that it’s here, “Apollon” is just about everything I would’ve wanted out of a new release from him. It picks up right where he left off, while still feeling like a progression of the more diverse musical influences that Haunted Mound has begun to incorporate since his departure. If the story of the group so far were to be made into a movie, this song would play during the end credits, with Ghost Mountain’s final cry of “let me go” echoing out as the screen fades to black. In reality, I hope it’s the opposite. I hope that “Apollon” is the beginning of a brand new chapter for one of the most exciting collectives to come out of the depths of the internet.
