Doomed Confessionary: Matze (A Ghost In Rags)
A Ghost In Rags is an atmospheric sludge/post-metal band from Freiburg, Germany.
They have been playing instrumental post-metal since 2018. The band combines classic post-rock with powerful doom parts, black metal riffs and sludge elements. At their live performances, they take the audience into a wide-ranging musical spectrum, whereby the band knows how to break out of frequently used song structures and gives the music space and time to unfold.
A Ghost In Rags have released their second full-length album »Solfatara« on June 13th, 2025. Recorded, mixed and produced by Christoph Brandes at Iguana Studios. »Solfatara« is available now in digital format with a physical release on vinyl coming later this year.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
We’re an instrumental metal band consisting of 4 people trying to find a musical consensus.
Most of the times we manage that pretty good 🙂 We mostly play within the genres of atmospheric blackened post-rock/metal/doom. We try to expand our notion of these categories and also try not to move too much in just one direction.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
To come to a common understanding and finding the same language. In music and in life. Enduring each others sometimes special personalities. And also keeping a band and musical output consistent with all of us having regular jobs, lives, kids. Finding our own style. Also, we underwent a very long (still ongoing) process of finding, creating, recreating sounds and atmospheres, so that we finally hope to have found a very own significant something that we can call our sound landscape. And the process is still alive, most likely will always be.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Having made two records 🙂 We have some oncoming shows abroad and a growing interest of people towards the band. We come around a lot more and have played and seen a lot of cool places.
What was your biggest regret?
Not practicing our instruments more when we had time for it. Or learning different instruments. We don’t regret much in the sense that we think we should have done something different. All decisions were made consciously and equal, so we find ourselves in a position where we can say we are all very content with the way things have evolved.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We very rarely had bad shows, but playing with threestepstotheocean sticks out because they have been a big inspiration for a long time. And turned out to be really cool and sweet people. It is hard to rate, maybe we shouldn’t do that, because every gig stands on its own. There are bigger shows and smaller ones, in the end it is not only about playing but also meeting all these cool and engaged people who make all these shows happen. Thanks!
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
How amazing the last Deafheaven record was. Also the way people react and accept our own version of post-rock/post-metal 🙂 And the fact that even over all those years we hear and meet bands that inspire us, give the genre a new ontake and keeping that niche alive and interesting.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
We all listen to very different kinds of music. A lot of metal, but also a variety of styles and genres. So, you could say there is heavy rotation from Kreator to Lana del Rey and everything within it. One thing for sure, there is no reggae playing at all!
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
“People always say less is more, but how can that be? Only more is more.”
“Never stop to practice. And I really mean that! Yeah yeah yeah…”
Overall: to stay calm and relaxed (not so easy at times). Not to take yourself too serious. Be humble for the things you can do.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Weed, pop music, dragon licorice, surviving in the wilderness, really trashy black metal, too much reverb. Actually so many things it is difficult to pin that down, there are just too many…
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Freiburg?
Relative to its size, Freiburg has a great music scene with awesome bands who support each other and a handful of small venues who still put on shows for bands like us. We have had a lot of support from many sides here in Freiburg. People appreciate each other. But it is a small scene, especially in the post metal niche. We often connect, meet and play with bands from other cities.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
October 23th in Zagreb @ AKC Attack
October 24th in Ljubjlana @Klub Gromka
October 25th in Budapest @ TBA
November 20th in München @ Bar X
November 21th in Oberentfelden @ Böröm Pöm Pöm
November 22th in Busto Arsizio @ Circolo Gagarin
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Apart from playing live, we’re planning to release some more music in 2026.
Also, we will start working on new stuff.
Most of all, enjoying the release of our current album »Solfatara«. We are still waiting for the vinyl production to be finished. So some things are happening and ideas start to float again.
How can people best support your band?
Just listen to our records and if you can make it to a show, that is amazing for us. Bring friends to the shows. Keep on being kind with us…
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Hard to say, maybe that is the reason why we have no vocals, but play instrumental music. There are a lot of things that are happening right now that make us angry and confused, which makes all of you angry and confused. Just let us all not forget our place and our humility
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well