GHOST may have become the new big name in the metal world in just one night but this was neither Satan’s wish nor coincidence. Evidently the band offered something the metal world was missing and that was pure Rock and great presentation both sealed in a charming little package meant straight for the masses. The mix of BLUE OYESTER CULT’s mesmerizing Rock with KING DIAMOND’s idiosyncratic theatrical performance worked wonders and established “Opus Eponymous” as an instant classic. Now the big question is, are GHOST able to repeat the hit?
GHOST (from now on called GHOST B.C.), know exactly what the metal crowd wants to see/hear and they are smart enough not to repeat another “Opus Eponymous”. In their second full length “Infestissumam”, the band drifts away from the flat, KING-DIAMOND-done-in-2010 style. I guess this is probably due to the slightly “calmer” vocal style of Papa Emeritus II but wait; there are a couple surprises more! The record kicks off with operatic vocals a la THERION, and one of the best tracks of the record starts with piano and carries on with… a Surf Rock twist! Sonically, the record feels even less heavy and the style moves towards proto-Doom or even of Prog Rock. In my opinion this rich on influences musical landscape is the biggest asset of “Infestissumam”. Actually, apart from 2 or 3 tracks, which seem to be perfect cut for the sick GHOST live shows, the rest of the album doesn’t move on the same high standards. Particularly, “Secular Haze”, “Ghuleh/Zombie Queen” as well as the album closer “Monstrance Clock” easily create excitement to the listener with their unique gloomy, “evil-circus”/carnival-like atmosphere but the rest of the tracks seem to get lost in their experimental effort.
I guess, 3 tracks don’t make a great record but if you consider that the debut had even less great tracks then success is more than certain. “Infestissumam” is an album with some great moments to it and in the end of the day it’s a good excuse to get the band on the road.
