Ghost - Prequelle (2018)

It has certainly been a bunch of eventful years for Ghost since their last full length release. Besides releasing an EP (which contained the magnificent track "Square Hammer") and a live album, the mask behind the band was finally pulled off after several former members took the leader, Tobias Forge, to court for not getting enough compensation for playing. This probably would have hurt the reputation of any band out there, but the shining star of Ghost is as high as ever, with the band now seen as the future main act for arenas alla across the globe, so the legal mumbo jumbo just seems like a small speed bump for a band that has turned into a monster truck. No, the bigger concern lies instead in the mystery behind the band, because even if most rumours already pointed towards Tobias Forge being the leader of this entity, we still enjoyed the spectacle that the band presented, so would we now see this band with different eyes once that we got confirmation on who was all of the Papa's (and the new front man for this record, Cardinal Copia) up on that stage?

Obviously, it does give you some other perspective on things, but Ghost is still mainly about the image of the band, not necessarily the music. It is a band that lures you in with its albums, but offers the live shows as its main course, so I do not think it will make that much of a difference, because in the end, you will still enjoy the spectacle around it, with each show serving as a satanic mass that is yet another stepping stone towards world domination.

But to get people to the shows, you need good music, and Ghost has certainly delivered so far in their career, and their fourth album "Prequelle" opens up promising. After the small intro "Ashes", we get treated with the lead single "Rats", a classic Ghost tune with great riffing, some brilliant drum beats, and a catchy as hell chorus that will go down really well in a live setting. It is a song that sticks with you instantly from first listen. "Faith" follows it up with what could have been a guest appearance from Yngwie Malmsteen, but much slower. It is still the heaviest track on the record, and it has a very nice flow to it, a flow only the first instrumental track "Miasma" can match, a song that fluently moves to different styles and tempos, even throwing in a sexy saxophone solo at the end.

The first half of "Prequelle" is fantastic, definitely matching what the band has done previously, but it all turns sour once the second single "Dance Macabre" enters. From here on out, the band goes a little too much ABBA, emphasizing the pop aspect of their sound way too much, which will certainly make a lot of trve metal fans cringe. Ghost has shown that they can incorporate pop into their music in a good way before, so the problem is that they become too cheesy for their own good, especially in the lyrics, like being with someone in the moonlight, or how about this horrid chorus line from "Pro Memoria".

Don't you forget about dying
Don't you forget about your friend death
Don't you forget that you will die

It continues on with "Witch Image", which is a nice little tune in it self, not taking too much attention, but enough to be enjoyable. Another instrumental kicks in after that, "Helvetesfönster" (Swedish for "Hell Window"), and I find it to be quite dull, but serviceable for a ending track... if it had been that. Nope, the band crammed in another song after it called "Life Eternal", and it is an okay song with some religious emotion behind it, but why is this the last song of the record? It feels misplaced here, probably would have worked better a little earlier in the album, or maybe just as a bonus track.

I get that Ghost is in this state where their fan base is extremely big, and it consists of almost any type of music fans, from metal lovers to casual radio listeners, so they feel like they have to please everyone, which is why we get an album that is basically schizophrenic. The first half is classic Ghost stuff, great, groovy, and spooky doom rock that you can put on anytime and enjoy the hell out of it. The second half is more for those who enjoyed "He Is" and "Cirice" from "Meliora", in other words, the more poppier side of the band. I am afraid that this album will not really speak to anyone without them finding a part that they will not like, and most fans will probably label "Prequelle" as the worst Ghost album thus far, which only confirms how damn good those first three albums are. However, it is not likely that it will affect the popularity of the band negatively, their place as the metal juggernauts of the 2010's is still secure, and will be so for some time to come.

Songs worthy of recognition: Faith, Rats, Miasma

Rating: 7/10 Helvetesfönster

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More reviews of Ghost
Infestissumam
Meliora

Ghost - Meliora (2015)

The Swedish hype phenomenon Ghost has just gone up the ladder of success in an astounding rate. Whether it is because of the secrecy of who the guys really are or because of their cult like act that made them stand out, it is ultimately the music that has kept them on top. Their soft, dark, and groovy style has really captured quite a following for the band, making them one of the strongest forces in this current age of metal music. They also brings something new to the table with every release, which makes them exciting and unpredictable. And even if it is pretty corny that they keep "changing" singers, or popes, they still hold a presence that is hard to match.

So after the riff cavalcade in "Opus Eponymous", and the vocal focused "Infestisumam", Papa Emeritus III decided to go on a different route than what his predecessors went. Well, not really, since "Meliora" actually takes the best from both worlds, mixing some groovy and demonic riffs together with more pop infused melodies. The album is immensely diverse diverse, having a broad range that should please those who liked one of the previous albums, but not the second one. It makes it clear that this is a band that is going for a unique experience every time they present a new chapter to their satanic tale, and it has certainly worked so far.

The musical inspiration is also incredibly immense, ranging from Blue Öyster Cult to Black Sabbath and even ABBA. I find it amazing that they are able to mix all these different elements and turn it into something truly original. You hear the inspiration in the music, but you recognize it as the sound of Ghost, which is just damn impressive.

What is also impressive is that the band can truly capture the listener into a devilish trance that no other band can. Just listen to that fantastic bass line in "From The Pinnacle To The Pit" and you will get hooked immediately. It certainly is my new favourite song from the band, with its simple, but effective, chorus and extra ordinary guitar and bass combo. There are several other highlights in the album, like the heavenly soft "He Is", the epic opener "Spirit", the evil groove in "Mummy Dust", the old school feel in "Absolution" and the nice and steady "Cirice", but none of them come even close to "From The Pinnacle To The Pit". I just really, really love that song.

But even if "Meliora" is Latin and stands for better, there is at least one thing that "Infestisumam" has in advantage over its successor, and that is the lasting impact. "Infestisumam" had a great bunch of songs that together combined into a full on experience that blew me away and has still stuck on with me since the first time I gave it a spin, a feeling I doubt "Meliora" will give me, mostly because the songs just does not stick to my mind as much. Besides from the two interludes, there is no track that I really dislike in the album, but songs like "Deus In Absentia" and "Mummy Dust" just does not have the power or presence to strike me. It really makes the overall album sound a little like it looks, a little muddy.

No matter what, "Meliora" is just another statement that Ghost is one of the leaders in the heavy musical scene right now. The band keeps on progressing and evolving with their constant changes of popes, and does it with the honor. Every Papa brings something fresh to the band, keeping them from being stale and boring. And while "Meliora" may not be entirely better than the amazing "Infestisumam", it is still a album that holds world class standard. The success, and secrecy, may continue.

Songs worthy of recognition: From The Pinnacle To The Pit, Spirit, He Is, Absolution

Rating: 8,5/10 Majesties

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twitter.com/thebandghost

More reviews of Ghost
Infestissumam

Prequelle

Ghost - Infestissumam (2013)

One of the biggest hypes in recent times has to be the Swedish doom metal band Ghost. With their big show about satanism and secrecy over who is in the band, Ghost has conquered the metal world surprisingly fast. I have no clue of the real identity of Papa Emeritus or the nameless ghouls are, but I know that they can make some really cool music that is highly inspired from bands like Mercyful Fate and The Devil's Blood. The debut album, "Opus Eponymous", was an exciting installment, but it lacked that real nerve that the best albums have. So I definitely expected a fantastic sophomore album that would blow me away and make me convert into being a satanist.

The first album was much about the riffs and the lyrics had a lot of "Satan is our saviour. The end is near". "Infestissumam" however, contains a more developed sound that should prove as a test for the majority of their fan base. The sound leans a little more on the pop direction then it did on the previous effort, but that does not mean that "Infestissumam" totally lacks of metal. We still hear the intentions from 70's doom metal sound even though those intentions has taken a smaller place in the album. You can also bet that the catchiness from "Opus Eponymous" is not only present in "Infestissumam", but also enhanced to a high degree. And when it comes to the lyrics, they are still about the band's love towards the devil, but now they have actually improved their song writing and tried to tell more elaborate stories about succubus's ("Ghuleh / Zombie Queen"), sexual temptations ("Jigolo Har Megiddo") and more.

Another thing that makes "Infestissumam" superior to its predecessor is the evenness of the album. There is very little too dislike in this album since every song is so groovy and captivating that you cannot resist to put on a smile for the devil. Even the overall mood in "Infestissumam" feels uplifting even though it is supposed to be somewhat apocalyptic. The grooviness shows most on the longest track "Ghuleh / Zombie Queen" where the listener first leads through a slow part and when the second half starts, the ride really begins with some groovy "British pop rock" sound that evolves into a faster and faster beat that is irresistible.

One more upside with "Infestissumam" is that it encourages the audience to do a lot of sing a long in the songs. Easily memorable choruses or lyric lines that sticks to your brain like a gum in a shoe. And the most addictive song of them all is the epic "Year Zero" that is sure to be a fan favourite on concerts. I mean, just listen to that genius chorus and the overall fantastic performance throughout the song, especially those ending guitar riffs that should give you instant goose bumps. If there was one song that would make me give up my current religion and convert towards Satanism, then this is the song. Other great sing a long moments on this album is "Per Aspera Ad Inferi", "Ghuleh / Zombie Queen" and "Depth of Satan's Eyes".

It is a shame that Papa Emeritus and the ghouls hides their true identities, because I would definitely search them up and congratulate them for making "Infestissumam". This album has everything that made "Opus Eponymous" great plus better lyrics and a greater edge. Yeah, sure this is more of a pop album then "Opus Eponymous" was, but the high low point makes up for that disadvantage alone. You may not like this album at first, but give it more than one spin and you will probably see that "Infestissumam" grows on you. All hail Papa Emeritus and the rest of Ghost.

Songs worthy of recognition: Year Zero, Depth of Satan's Eyes, Ghuleh / Zombie Queen, Per Aspera Ad Inferi

Rating: 9,5/10 Monstrance Clocks

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twitter.com/thebandghost

More reviews of Ghost
Meliora

Prequelle