Ghost – Popestar
Release Date: 16 September 2016
Loma Vista Recordings
Review written by John Raptis
Ghost have proved they are one of the hardest working bands on the planet. With a gruelling schedule of non-stop touring, it seems the extensive time on the road is beginning to take its toll. Astute Ghost fans will have already noticed that rhythm guitarist ‘Omega’ is no longer part of the band. Guitar duties have been taken over by Ghost’s bassist and a new bass player, who happens to be female, has taken over the roll.
While the naysayers will be pointing at the cracks that are appearing within the Ghost facade, these minor setbacks have not stopped the band doing what they do best – and that is catchy, hook-laden, old-school, 70’s prog influenced Metal tunes!
Following on from their established routine of releasing an EP of covers a year after the initial release of an album, Ghost has stuck to their formula yet again.
A year after the critically acclaimed (and Grammy Award spawning) album Meliora, Ghost have just released the Popestar EP.
Featuring one new Ghost song, the catchy-as-hell Square Hammer, the EP is fleshed out with four covers from the wide repertoire of Ghost influences. (Echo & The Bunnymen, Simian Mobile Disco, Eurythmics and Imperial)
Lead single Square Hammer released with an accompanying video, and it pretty much follows the standard Ghost schtick when it comes to lyrical content. But boy oh boy, the song will lock itself into the sinews of your mind the minute you hear it. It is that catchy!
While many might view the remaining songs as throwaway covers, Ghost has managed to stamp their signature sound, swagger and style all over them.
The sound may be a smidgeon lighter than the classic debut album Opus Anonymous but the influence they wear on their collective papal robe sleeves remains… a mixture of Blue Oyster Cult meets Abba! (Yes, I kid you not!)
It is an interesting collection of tracks; it always is when Ghost are concerned, and they’ve managed to Ghostify them enough to make them worthy contenders as part of the growing Ghost catalogue.
The tongue in cheek attitude remains with Ghost. The haters just take this band far too seriously, but if you cannot imagine yourself at the head of a full-house church in your Papa Emeritus attire while closing track Bible wafts through your speakers – you’re doing it wrong!
Simply magic! Again!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyYA8FlfBd0]
