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This article is about the metalcore album. For the industrial rock album, see Stabbing Westward.
Chasing Ghosts is the third studio album by Australian post-hardcore band the Amity Affliction. It was released on 7 September 2012 worldwide. Roadrunner Records handled the release worldwide. The theme of death and suicide is a centerpiece of the album. The album was influenced by Finch's What It Is to Burn (2002). Chasing Ghosts debuted at No. 1 on the Australian albums chart with 12,911 first week sales, becoming the band's first No. 1 on the chart and being one of the very few rock bands to achieve that position in Australia. Chasing Ghosts was certified Gold by the ARIA for 35,000 shipments in 2013. It is their only record to feature guitarist Imran Siddiqi and the first without keyboardist Trad Nathan.
The title-track and first single from Chasing Ghosts premiered on Alternative Press on 4 July 2012. Commenting on the song, frontman Joel Birch stated, "I wrote Chasing Ghosts as a narrative based wholly around someone that has committed suicide and has passed onto the other side. It's a story that I hope people will see for what it is; an example in song of why you should turn to someone close and talk instead of taking that last fatal step towards death prematurely. I just want to reiterate to people that once you're gone, that's it. There's no ghosts. There's no heaven, no hell, just finality and the wreckage left behind in the wake of their decision."
Cover art
Shortly after this album was announced, the album's cover was revealed. The cover depicts a man hanging from a tree who is thought to have committed suicide. The graphic nature of this image caused much controversy among social media and fans. The situation was very ironic due to the main message behind the album being anti-suicide and urging fans who feel suicidal to turn to people close to them and seeking help rather than taking their own life. In June 2012, The Amity Affliction apologised for "vicious" statements made by the band in response to the controversy. The poster art for the album tour depicted a facsimile of the album with the hanging man missing.
