They’ve dropped the B.C. from their name and dropped their newest album MELIORA, and I’ve dropped my side-glancing skepticism of the band Ghost. There’s no denying the power of the heavy, groovy metallic riffs that Papa Emeritus III and the Nameless Ghouls have laid out in this latest album. Let us take a moment to reflect on the majesty of this track “From the Pinnacle to the Pit”. I can’t stop listening to it.
Ghost gets away from the Cookie Monster growls of much modern metal and goes in the complete opposite direction with a 90s Britpop feel. They can in fact be oversoft in the vocal department, which is part of what took me so long to come around. But even though they can sound like the Pet Shop Boys snuck onstage to take over for Vivian Cambpell-era Dio, they’ve unrepentantly carved out their niche in the metal world. From their meticulous costumes and consistent message to the tight, clean, and majestic production of this album, these guys know exactly what they’re doing. They can be heavy as Testament one minute and as soft as Simon and Garfunkel the next. Whatever it is, they’ve made a believer out of me.
Meliora means ‘better’ and Ghost have done nothing but get better over time. I’ve been hearing for years what a great live show they put on and I don’t think I’ll miss them next time around!
Stream Ghost’s latest album MELIORA in its entirety on YouTube:
