wedding dress Infestissumam Ghost Bc
Seriously, I've been listening to this album non-stop since I got it a week ago. The songs are ridiculously catchy and have a more epic feel to it. They're definitely experimenting more musically, I was caught way off guard when listening to Ghuleh/ Zombie Queen and they bust out of nowhere with this awesome SURF ROCK tune. Simply amazing. This album does have sort of a lighter atmosphere, and is a bit more upbeat then Opus, but it doesn't take away from the music, they way they do it is really cool. Year Zero and Monstrance Clock are instant classics, while the other tracks are all quite good. It also has quite possibly the coolest opening track I've heard. This album is just amazing, enough said. In a scene that's been riddled with all these deathcore/metalcore whatever "core" bands for the past 10 years or so, It's nice to hear something a bit different. Hopefully their next album is monumental.
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A bit of a stylistic departure from Opus, Ghost really branches out, using pop, surf and carnivalesque motifs in their songwriting. While lyrically this album remains firmly rooted in Satanism, we find the music itself has become a lot less heavy and more melodic. I think this transition might alienate people who expect to hear metal or "doom", which with they have been erroneously associated in the past. The songs on Infestissumam really showcase the band's talent and catapult them out of the pigeonhole of ye olde heavy metal band. Perhaps sick of hearing regurgitated B.O.C. and Fate comparisons, they stepped up their songwriting and now sound like themselves. A couple of weak points aside, this album is pure brilliance and is destined to be cherished for generations to come.
BalasHapusSeriously, I've been listening to this album non-stop since I got it a week ago. The songs are ridiculously catchy and have a more epic feel to it. They're definitely experimenting more musically, I was caught way off guard when listening to Ghuleh/ Zombie Queen and they bust out of nowhere with this awesome SURF ROCK tune. Simply amazing. This album does have sort of a lighter atmosphere, and is a bit more upbeat then Opus, but it doesn't take away from the music, they way they do it is really cool. Year Zero and Monstrance Clock are instant classics, while the other tracks are all quite good. It also has quite possibly the coolest opening track I've heard. This album is just amazing, enough said. In a scene that's been riddled with all these deathcore/metalcore whatever "core" bands for the past 10 years or so, It's nice to hear something a bit different. Hopefully their next album is monumental.
BalasHapusFirst, let's get past the Satan schtick, and although some fans may not like toying with their carefully crafted image, or gimmick, whichever side you are on, this is a band that has the musical goods that should allow them to excel without resorting to such obvious visual and lyrical nonsense. I seldom listen to lyrics anyway, and Ghost's rantings and praises of Satan are no exception.
BalasHapusWhat makes me a fan is the music and here among the '70's hard rock/metal revivalists like Graveyard, Orange Goblin or In Solitude, Ghost, with the exception of Goblin, who rule, in my estimation, are absolutely superb musicians and songwriters. References to the Blue Oyster Cult are well deserved, and at times this denser more complex followup to their stunning debut recalls the intricate moments of BOC's legendary "Secret Treaties", particularly on their tunes "Subhuman", "Flaming Telepaths" and "Astronomy", with lush keyboards, smooth vocals and guitar work that is incredibly musical and full of hooks, enough to satisfy the biggest redneck bass tournament in Texas.
Some will gripe because it isn't "metal" enough, but for the benefit of those ignorant of their metal godfathers, this music, had it come out forty years ago would have been up against John Denver, the early Bee Gees, the first rumblings of disco and flaky acts like Mac Davis or Olivia Newton-John (shudder). It would have been considered very heavy and extremely blasphemous, whereas today we're jaded to the whole Satan gimmick, maybe with the exception of the most die hard ignorant Bible thumper.
"Year Zero" is the standout track, with Papa Emeritus' vocals carrying the day. Time for you, Papa, aka Tobias Ridge of the band Repugnant, (yes, we know who you are) to shed the rubber mask, along with your immensely talented band on your next outing. You simply don't need that gimmick when your music is that good.
Just buy this album. It's original yet familiar. Haunting yet addicting. This band is the future big name act that metal needs. Eventually you'll all succumb to the church of satan and worship at the altar of Papa Emeritus II.
BalasHapusThere's something about Ghost where I can listen to the same album repeatedly all day long and never get bored of it. I did that with Opus Eponymous and now I've got Infestissumam on repeat.
BalasHapusIt's a very enjoyable album, just as the first one was. Someone in the band has great song-writing skills and it shows. I love their chord changes/progressions and different changeups. It's more than just a collection of cool metal riffs, you can tell they really take their time trying to craft a good solid song. And I hope Ghost realizes that their strong point is their music and not the image. The image is fun, but I hope they continue to focus on great song writing and don't start relying on image alone (I'm sure it's tempting, many have done it before).
I love this album, but I must say that it seems like the last 3 or 4 tracks or so aren't nearly as good as the first half of the album. It looses its momentum a bit and it seems like the band is experimenting with a couple ideas, but it misses the mark just a bit. An example of something I didn't think quite worked was the female choir type part (2:00 in) in Depth of Satan's Eyes. I like that they're experimenting and trying different things but that one particular moment didn't quite work for me.
One other minor miss for me is the ending of Zombie Queen. I love how it ends except for the last second, where they just hit the 2 notes to finish. They should have either faded it out or chosen a different 2 notes or something. Something about it seems slightly off.
All in all though, this is a great album, and it's definitely worth purchasing. If I had to compare it to the first album, I'd say the first one was a 10/10 and this one might be a 9/10, only because I didn't think the second half was as solid. But it still kicks ass. I'm already looking forward to Ghost's next album! Keep giving us some great tunes!
BalasHapusThe songs replay in your head. The first album was amazing, and as a Mercyful Fate fan I could hear the influence there and that got me hooked. Whether the lyrics fit your world view or not, there is a sincerity, regardless of their beliefs in real life that make this theatrical musical experience hard to compete with by other musical outfits. These are solid albums you can play over and ever so enjoy.
BalasHapusAfter months of speculation, controversy and sheer hype, we finally have the new album from Swedish band Ghost - or Ghost B.C. as they're calling themselves in the US. Ghost, of course, made a huge splash with their 2011 debut Opus Eponymous, and since its release their buzz has only increased, leading to a reported seven-figure deal on a major label. Naturally, expectations were very high going into their sophomore album, which is titled Infestissumam. Fans of the debut weren't exactly put at ease when the first single - "Secular Haze" was released. It's heavy use of circus-like organ seemed like a huge departure from the simple, catchy retro metal of the debut. Well, if "Secular Haze" threw fans for a loop, the rest of Infestissumam will definitely have some jaws dropping.
BalasHapusThe formula for Opus Eponymous was simple - retro sounding heavy metal that sounded more or less like King Diamond writing lyrics for a Blue Oyster Cult album (with a bit of Angel Witch-y NWOBHM for good measure). The easiest thing for Ghost to do here is serve up another 8-9 catchy Satanic rockers to satisfy their fans. Instead, the band reached even further back into `70s prog and even `60s rock for an album that is both catchy and complex, and for all its Satanic trappings is a layered, progressive and perhaps even artistically brilliant work.
Opus Eponymous was effective for a reason, and Ghost hasn't forgotten that here. Infestissumam still has a handful of catchy heavy metal songs like "Jigolo Har Megiddo," "Depth of Satan's Eyes" and especially "Year Zero" that should satisfy the way "Satan Prayer" and "Death Knell" did. It's songs like the gloriously morbid King Diamond does King Crimson "Ghuleh/Zombie Queen" and the epic "The Monstrance Clock," with its Summer of Love turned Summer of Satan vibe, that show just how creative this band really is behind the robes and makeup. You hear it just as clearly on "Body and Blood," which has a strong Kinks sound, and the bouncy "Idolatrine," which for all its dark lyrical focus has the kind of vocal harmonies and guitar tone you'd expect from a vintage Beach Boys tune.
Now if you just read that and thought "why the hell do I want to hear Ghost sounding like the Kinks or the Beach Boys," that's totally understandable. If you just want another Opus Eponymous, you're not going to get that here. Even the most jaded listener is going to be won over by Infestissumam though. This is the kind of album that shocks you on the first spin, but definitely gets its hooks into you, and with each listen you hear something new and eventually realize that the album is nothing short of a triumph. All of the album's disparate elements come together brilliantly in the end, and while you'll no doubt have your favorite songs, like the debut Infestissumam works best as a complete experience.
There will no doubt be fans who just can't get into what Ghost is doing here, and there will be skeptics who question whether the band is worth the hype (or the money) they receive. They're going to be the minority though, as Infestissumam is every bit as mesmerizing and memorable - albeit in a very different way - as its predecessor. It is, quite simply, the most amazing album 2013 has to offer so far.
Edition Notes: There are several versions of Infestissumam available. The basic CD comes in a flimsy digipack, while the deluxe edition comes in a jewel case with full booklet and two bonus tracks - "La Mantra Mori" and a very creepy cover of Abba's "I'm a Marionette." The standard LP edition is on red vinyl, while the European version has a deluxe gatefold packaging.
Ghost lost a lot of the 70's stoner edge and added more of a pop feel for this record. It always had a little bit of pop, but knowing that they've been covering ABBA and the Beatles at shows really tells you what headspace they've been in. I miss some of the metal vibes but that doesn't make this album bad by any means. Solid songs, great band, great recording.
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