The Mighty Missoula Deliver a Cinematic, Earth-Shaking Masterpiece with ‘Ghost in the Mountain’
Sometimes, you discover a band or an album not through a recommendation or playlist — but through its visuals. That cover that stops you mid-scroll. That atmosphere you recognize instantly because it comes from artists and studios whose work you’ve admired for years. Such is the case with ‘Ghost in the Mountain’ by Portland-based instrumental post-rock outfit The Mighty Missoula, whose latest double LP features stunning artwork crafted in collaboration with longtime creative visionary Hummelgrafik.
What begins as a visual hook unfolds into a sweeping, emotional experience. Spanning 13 tracks and over 70 minutes, ‘Ghost in the Mountain’ is both a sonic odyssey and an invitation to lose yourself in a cinematic landscape of sound. Self-produced and deeply personal, the album pushes beyond genre convention into fully immersive, narrative-driven terrain.
Formed in 2015, the quartet — Eric Mapson (bass, guitar), Ryly Roberts (guitar, keys, effects), Robby Russell (lead guitar), and Adam Schmid (drums, percussion, synths) — have steadily carved their path across the Pacific Northwest soundscape with previous releases ‘Au Nord’ (2017), ‘Remnants’ (2020), and ‘Virga ‘(2021). With ‘Ghost in the Mountain’, the band elevate their craft, sculpting what they describe as « cinéma vérité in sonic form » — a score to an inward-facing, imagined film.
“Early on, we knew this record needed to feel like chapters in a grand tale,” says Mapson. “It had to evoke imagery — but leave enough space for the listener’s own story.” That visual, almost literary quality is grounded in the volcanic landscapes surrounding their home base. “The volcanoes became a kind of character in the album,” adds Russell. “Silent… looming… beautiful… destructive.”
The band originally considered condensing the material into a single LP when approached by a label, but ultimately decided to release it in full.
“We didn’t make the practical choice. We made an honest one,” says Russell.
And honest it is. From the tranquil weight of opener « A Thousand Faces » to the sweeping climax of « A Thousand Pieces, » the album guides the listener through meditative ambience, tectonic riffage, and breathtaking transitions. Highlights like Unsteady Vessel evoke vast, moonlit oceans; « The Dreaming Tree » and « Sage at the Summit » together form a metaphorical mountain journey of ascent and triumph; while « Breath of Mazama » and « Echoes of Ashes » showcase the band’s dynamic range, from explosive catharsis to meditative stillness.
Fans of Explosions in the Sky, Pillars, Russian Circles, Coastlands or Pelican will feel at home here — but The Mighty Missoula are forging their own terrain. This is music that doesn’t just sound epic — it feels lived in, earned, and true. It’s less an album than an experience. One that stays with you long after the final note fades.
« Ghost in the Mountain » isn’t just a release. It’s a journey. A storm. A story. And above all, an invitation — to feel deeply, see vividly, and escape freely.
