Band Origin: Stockholm, Sweden
Genre: Heavy Metal / Doom Metal
Label: Rise Above / Metal Blade
Running Time: 35 minutes
Release Date: EU October 18, 2010 / NA January 8, 2011
Best Part: Doom version of Beatles' Here Comes the Sun? Yes plox.
Favorite Tracks: Death Knell, Elizabeth, Con Clavi Clon Dio, Genesis, and Here Comes the Sun
Grade: 5
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Opus Epnoymous in way more than 20 words or less:
Ghost's debut album is a finely crafted throwback to early heavy metal and has had the staying power to have it earn nods on years best lists in both 2010 and 2011 because of it's staggered release dates.
The Band:
Ghost is a six piece heavy metal band from Sweden who have remained cloaked in mystery to this day as the real identities of the band's members have yet to been released. Instead the band carries forward their identities through their more eccentric stage presence, where Papa Emeritus I stands at the forefront in his skull mask and cardinal outfit, and the five Nameless Ghouls play in the background, clad in nothing but black hooded robes. The band has earned comparisons to groups such as Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult and acts such as King Diamond with their vintage style of heavy metal, doom and satanic lyricism. Following their early three track demo Ghost carried forward with one of the most well received heavy metal debuts in years with the release of Opus Eponymous, and are now recording tracks for a future release.
Ghost's previous release is their three track demo entitled Elizabeth which was released in early 2010.
Jay's Take on Opus Eponymous:
Ghost is a six piece heavy metal band from Sweden who have remained cloaked in mystery to this day as the real identities of the band's members have yet to been released. Instead the band carries forward their identities through their more eccentric stage presence, where Papa Emeritus I stands at the forefront in his skull mask and cardinal outfit, and the five Nameless Ghouls play in the background, clad in nothing but black hooded robes. The band has earned comparisons to groups such as Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult and acts such as King Diamond with their vintage style of heavy metal, doom and satanic lyricism. Following their early three track demo Ghost carried forward with one of the most well received heavy metal debuts in years with the release of Opus Eponymous, and are now recording tracks for a future release.
Ghost's previous release is their three track demo entitled Elizabeth which was released in early 2010.
Jay's Take on Opus Eponymous:
If there is one thing I can say about Opus Eponymous it's that if you are a fan of old school heavy metal, the days of Black Sabbath, the raw and simple recordings, then Ghost is most definitely a band for you. Opus Eponymous is probably one of the best modern heavy metal albums that if thrown into a collective box with old synonymous classics, it would fit in as if there was nothing out of place. It has all of the textbook elements of the classic fusion of heavy metal and doom at its forefront: the raw heavy riffs, the eerie organ-like keyboard playing, the melodic guitar solos and the energized yet brooding clean vocals of Papa Emeritus. The lyricism and imagery of the band is heavily satanic which gets further emphasized through their stage presence if you've ever seen footage of the band or the band live, but it gets conveyed in a way that is almost enthralling to hear. As the record unfolds you focus less on the words which are clear as day, but instead get drawn in by the instrumentation and movements that the band creates. In short, Papa Emeritus could be singing about dancing unicorns and squirrels and you wouldn't give a fuck because the music is that good. It's an album that you can listen to when you just want to relax, get some work done or even want to get a little bit energized, as it has tracks that occupy both ends of the spectrum. The Japanese release of the album also features a cover of The Beatles' Here Comes the Sun which has become one of my favorite Beatles covers, as it's hard enough to even dare try to touch one of the works of the Fab Four. And the closing instrumental track Genesis is simply a perfect way to end this record, differing slightly from the rest of the album slightly, it almost commands you to hit the replay button to start the process anew.
Sample of the Day:
Two-fer today, with Con Clavi Con Dio and the instrumental track Genesis.
- J
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