Metal Overview: Ghost

Happy Halloween, fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Have I got a treat for you today! Usually some people during this holiday are quite the tricksters, but I’m gonna give you all something sweet. A spooky metal overview, to be exact. It’s rather quick, but chockful of great music at the same time. This band’s only been producing material since the 2010s, but they’ve already left quite an impression. So put on your Sunday best, get your prayers ready, and have a look at the Swedish sensation Ghost. Enjoy!

Opus Eponymous (2010/2011)

Sometimes the origins of a band can be ironic & funny, and Ghost is no exception. Originally founded in 2006 when the band members were in different groups, a nameless ghoul (the masked band members that are on instruments & keyboard) said that he played a riff that would become a song on their first album (Stand By Him). He went on to say that "I said that this is probably the most heavy metal riff that has ever existed ... When the chorus came to me, it haunted my dreams. Every time I picked up the guitar, I ended up playing that progression, and when I fit the words in, it seemed to cry out for a Satanically-oriented lyric."

Upon picking the name Ghost and acquiring their first singer (An anonymous man later called Papa Emeritus, who’s character is a “Demonic Anti-Pope”), the band decided to use their love of horror films & the traditions of “Scandinavian Metal” in the imagery of the group. Another nameless ghoul said that “Everything started with a bunch of songs. We knew very early that to make this material work we needed to fulfill our dream of putting a horror show together with music.” In 2010, Ghost produced a three-track demo and the vinyl-only single "Elizabeth” (More on that in a sec). Later on, the group released their first record, Opus Eponymous (Latin for The Self-Titled Work), on October the 18th (January 2011 in the U.S. & April 2011 in Japan) the album was released. Opus Eponymous was met with universal praise, both in their native Sweden & worldwide.

Best Track? Elizabeth was always a song I remembered when Opus Eponymous was over with. Dealing with the subject matter of Elizabeth Bathory, this track seems reminiscent of 60s/70s rock, as there a fair bit of organ work that’s being played, and the way the guitar & drums are used as well. Emeritus the First isn’t speaking behind his pulpit, as this song isn’t that religious, but the way he weaves his words is oddly hypnotizing. Downright bloody, Elizabeth is a fun song to listen to, especially when it’s so close to All Hallow’s Eve.

Elizabeth

Worst Track? Papa Emeritus the First I thought had weak vocal work. He’s got strength behind his voice, but I don’t know if it’s me, but he doesn’t seem to put all of said strength into his singing. As such, the album might not leave a complete impression on the first go through. Apart from this one issue, Opus Eponymous is not a bad album, and actually makes a good first impression. However, the album that was to come......would definitely leave an impact upon the Heavy Metal scene.

Infestissumam (2013)

Translated from Latin as very or most hostile (Used as a reference to the Anti-Christ), Infestissumam was released on April the 10th, 2013 (April 16th here in the states). This record was important to Ghost for a number of reasons: the band was signed to an American record company (Universal Records), the band changed their outfits & lead singer (Papa Emeritus the 2nd, later revealed as Tobias Forge of Magna Carta Carte), debuted at no. 28 on the Billboard 200, and sold 75,000 copies by November of last year. However, Infestissuman wasn’t without some controversy....

You see, Ghost has a fondness for the usage of Satanic & devilish imagery within their music. In fact, their first record ended with the track “Genesis”, and represented a coming darkness as the band said in a interview. The interview in question also stated that “Everything on the first record was about a coming darkness, an impending doom. Whereas the new record is about something present, and literally, the new record deals with the presence of the Anti-Christ, the Devil. But subliminally, the meaning of it is more how mankind-- predominantly men-- what they have deemed to be the presence of the Devil, throughout history and even nowadays. And that’s why the record is so fueled with sexual themes and females. That’s basically it, the Inquisition was basically men accusing women of being the Devil just because they had a hard-on for them.”

This theme didn’t help matters, as Ghost recorded Infestissumam down in Tennessee, and that state is quite religious. In fact, the band had trouble looking for a choir to sing with them, given the album’s theme. Ghost would be met with religious controversy again later on: Kuma’s Corner added a hamburger named after the band. One of the ingredients for the burger was a communion wafer, and local Catholic institutions have called it “tasteless”. The owner has refused, saying that it’s “Tasty & Popular”.

Best Track? Bit of a tie between Year Zero & the concluding song, Monstrance Clock. The former song is simultaneously sinister & bombastic, with a dark kind of sensuality being spread around by Emeritus the 2nd & the Nameless Ghouls. Monstrance Clock comes across as a piece from a gospel rock opera: Papa Emeritus II is standing behind his pulpit, speaking to the listener with a conviction that just seems to resonate with one’s soul. There’s no tricky with his voice, but you get the sense that he has another purpose behind his singing.

Year Zero

Monstrance Clock

Worst Track? While the vocal work was upgraded when they picked up Papa Emeritus II, it seemed that one problem was traded for another. Instead of a whispy-like voice, Papa Emeritus II comes across as more nasily with his vocal work. Some songs don’t have this quirk very much, but others make this very apparent (My favorite & best tracks, for example). I wouldn’t call this a detriment, but it is a little annoying.

Infestissumam. A far stronger release than Opus Eponymous, and (In my view) marks Ghost’s real reveal to the word. Absolutely recommended, and now for the next album!

Meliora (2015)

Riding upon the success of Infestissumam, Ghost began making their 3rd album at the end of 2014. The spacey theme that became the identity of Meliora actually had it’s origins a month prior to their tour for Infestissumam, a Nameless Ghoul was trying out a new guitar rig during a rehearsal. As the ghoul said: “The guitar rig had a "spacey echoed" effect that made a guitar riff sound futuristic & sci-fi.” At that point, the ghoul had the idea for the new album. Another ghoul said that “Because guitar work took a backseat on Infestissumam, the band focused on guitar riffs from the beginning of the new album.” He went on to explain that this was partially achieved by having four different guitars, each played through three different amps, making four performances going through 12 amplifiers. 2 Gibson SGs (One from the early 80s, and the other from the 60s), a 1962 Gibson Les Paul & a Fender Telecaster. After getting the right producer (Klas Åhlund, known for his work with pop singers), the band continued working, and on August 21, 2015, Meliora was released.

Continuing with the religious theme alongside the sci-fi aspect (Opus Eponymous was about the birth/coming of the Antichrist, Infestissumam dealt with the Antichrist’s presence, and Meliora was about the absence of God), Ghost changed up their physical image, and switched out their singer. In this case, the new singer was Papa Emeritus the 2nd’s younger brother (More on this in a bit). As for lyrical content, a nameless ghoul had this to say:

“The lyrics deal with the void that happens when there is no god, when there is no one there to help you. But even then, there will always be some fucker there to give you guidance. And the band is basically portrayed as the religious party that comes in there with a guiding hand. We offer the one place in the world that is spiritual”

Another band member said this:

“It was "more about the modern man and woman in their pursuit of purpose in life. It's hard to live in a society if you're not willing to buy that you are in a collective, yet usually in the Western world, there is a big disregard for individual responsibility”

Best Track? Another 2-way tie, between the glorious Majesty and the highly religious Absolution. Majesty is quite rhythmic, even during the louder portions, and Emeritus the 3rd’s vocal work slides along with the instrumentation, making for a great fit! Absolution comes across as kind of a Monstrance Clock 2.0: Papa is standing behind his pulpit, speaking out to his flock. This song, however, comes across as a bit darker, almost nihilistic in a sense. A little bit of merriment can be had, due in part to the beat & cheesy keyboard used in parts.

Majesty

Absolution

Worst Track? Ultimately, there isn’t that much of a difference between Papa Emeritus II & Emeritus the 3rd. In fact, Emeritus III was the 2nd’s younger brother, and there’s no real notable difference because of this. Emeritus the 3rd comes across as a little more youthful than his older brother, but that’s about the only thing I can complain about.

Meliora. Similar to it’s predecessor, but different at the same. If Infestissumam wasn’t quite your thing, then give this record a go. Next album!

Popestar EP (2016)

Released only a month ago on the 16th, info on this EP is limited. It should be noted, however, that my favorite track actually got released 4 days earlier as a music video (More on this in a sec). Following the release, Ghost has started touring in the United States to promote the ridiculously named Popestar. This EP is a nice nugget of music, with 1 brand new tune, and 4 covers.

Best Track? Square Hammer is easily the best thing on here, Mixing the hokiness of old-school horror films, with a healthy touch of Heavy Metal & Rock, and you have a great recipe for a fantastic song. In many ways it comes across as a extension of their material from Meliora, and this makes sense because Emeritus the III & the 3rd-generation Nameless Ghouls have returned. The video just adds on the cheese, as the band made a art-deco tribute to horror films. The atmosphere provided by both the song & the video mix together, and the end result is nothing more than magic!

Square Hammer

Worst Track? The band’s cover of Missionary Man is about the only thing I can complain about. It’s clear that Ghost loves the track, and they’re putting in a lot of soul, but for some reason I don’t like how the track feels. Either Emeritus is trying too hard to sound like Annie Lennox, or I’m just missing something. It’s not a horrendous tune, but maybe it should have been on a bonus cd for their next album.

Missionary Man

Popestar. A tasty little morsel, that functions as a nice appetizer before the feast next year. Do yourself a favor, and grab this!

And that was my look at the sensation known as Ghost. If this is how they started out their career, then I & the rest of the fan can expect nothing but good things from this group in the future. Join me Halloween day, when I’ll have a second overview put up, taking a look at a Death Metal band that’s sadly become obscure in this modern time. Until then, hope your day gets a little more spooky!