The fiendish band of Swedish devil-worshipers (are they really? who knows) released their second album earlier this year to great fanfare. While I didn't immediately "get" the band, I have come to appreciate Ghost and their particular mixture of pop and metal. With a cover like that, this album begs further exploration. Let's take a look at what evil lies within.
The title track "Infestissumam" opens the album and sets the tone of the album nicely. A choir of ghouls chant Latin-sounding lyrics over a fairly clean and clear rock beat accompanied by classically-tinged electric leads. Hauntingly beautiful, a great intro. "Papa Aspera Ad Infini" sings about the band's favorite topic, the supposed coming of Satan. Fans of metal will surely not be squeamish about the demonic lyrics, but this album is certainly not for your church-going friends. I try to separate music from any religious message, but the band has certainly done enough to piss off many detractors. In any case, I really like "Papa". Pretty heavy in the verses, but amazingly catchy and calming in the chorus, the combination of the dark lyrics with the pop-like hooks are part of what makes the band so interesting. An organ solo is a great addition, and I have previously expressed a great liking of the organ on Ghost's records. Keyboards take on a more important role on this album, to the dismay of some listeners. A great opening track, haunting, ethereal and catchy as hell (pun intended).
"Secular Haze" sounds like a demonic carnival ride. Singer Papa Emeritus II sounds great, a wonderfully pop-like voice. The song is not great however. A little dull compared to the band's earlier singles, it lacks the impact that most of the songs on 2010's "Opus Eponymous" made. The drumming is great, as is are the swirling organs, but I fail to get excited about the track. Not bad.The curiously titled "Jigolo Har Meggido" barely resembles metal in terms of music, and contains some pretty pop-like sounds. Harmonies, swirling organs, and big hooks all make for a song that will certainly detract some fans of the band's first album. A keyboard solo further brings the album into pop territory, but I don't think any of these elements make the band any softer. The devilish lyrics contrast sharply to the music, and Ghost present a very unique contrast. A fairly decent track, but again, not as fresh or interesting as anything from "Opus".
"Ghuleh/Zombie Queen" is the best song on the album, and the most majestic song the band have recorded to date. As if ABBA were possessed by demons, it's a piece of pure Swedish pop wrapped in black metal clothing. The Eno-like fragile piano chords combine with the sombre lyrics and vocals to create a beautiful song. Suddenly, the song turns into something approximating "psychobilly". Great drumming, a massive chorus, and awesome organ will convince even the most ardent detractors of the band of their merit. A masterpiece of a song. "Year Zero" opens with demonic chanting amid a pretty heavy riff. The heaviest song on the album, it will certainly please those who feel that the band have lost their edge. The disco-like beat drives the verses along, before opening into a massive chorus, literally sounding like the gates of hell itself opening. Horrifyingly unsettling, but a song that commands attention, much like the band itself. Spooky stuff, but a great song.
"Body And Blood" is another slice of Scandinavian pop. The song is a blasphemous take on Christianity, and will surely offend some. As a song, it's a decently catchy song, but somewhat bland. The solo is a highlight, and Ghost's lead guitarist(s) is excellent, a true highlight of the band's sound. "Idolatrine" contains some of the band's most cryptic lyrics. A tough song to understand, it shows that the band's lyrics are really open to interpretation. The music itself is quite catchy, a big and almost jazzy song with some great organ and bass work. A strong song.
"Depth Of Satan's Eyes" tells of the lure of the most unholy one. The song sounds "new wave" at some points, and shows the growing focus on keyboards. However, at other points, the song is quite heavy, one of the more metal-like tracks on the album. An interesting song musically. "Monstrance Clock" closes out the album in spectacular fashion. Epic, would describe the song most aptly. Basically telling of the birth of the Anti-Christ, it's the musical equivalent of the film "Rosemary's Baby". Dark stuff indeed, but a fantastically catchy and remarkable song, one of the band's best to date.
"Infestissumam" is a very good album. The band are great musicians, and their brand of demonic pop-metal will forever be remembered. Combined with their theatrics, the band cannot be ignored. While a few songs lack the impact of Opus Eponymous, some of these tracks are among the best any metal band period have ever written. The moments of genius outshine the average tracks, and I look forward to what the band have to offer in the future. If you aren't easily offended by dark and demonic lyrics, give this album a spin, it's worth it.
Rating-8.5/10
No comments:
Post a Comment