Ghost - Infestissumam
By all sound logic and rationale, I should despise Ghost. Oh, to drink deep the Haterade… let me count the reasons. They use the tired gimmick of stage costumes that the general public tends to pounce on like a cat on a laser pointer. Thanks to said gimmick, they score a major label deal overnight, in an era that may one day see Metallica signing with Razor & Tie, no less. They are beloved by countless happy douchebags, none more douchebaggy than Glam fag poser god Phil Anselmo. Given their success, they will undoubtedly spawn a litter of lame copycats attempting to trendfuck the Occult Rock fad like a rabbit on Viagra. Last but not least, they seem to take being compared to the mighty Mercyful Fate as some kind of insult. Yes, I should definitely hate Ghost… but I can’t. They are sooo fucking good! It’s ridiculous how god damn good they are! If you thought Opus Eponymous was instantly likable, you haven’t heard shit yet. Now they’re playing with house money, and that house belongs to Universal Republic, boys and ghouls. Papa Emeritus, meet Auto-tune. Infestissumam is a work of simplistic brilliance from beginning to end. Heed my warning, every song here will be stuck in your head forever. Whoever the fuck this singer is, he’s amazing, and the ultra-Satanic lyrics —perhaps Ghost’s only consistent tie to actual Metal— are the icing on the cake, tongue-in-cheek or not. Far more stylistically adventurous than the 2010 debut, Infestissumam could arguably be classified as borderline Pop music, but it’s catchier than the common cold. Anyone who likes Ghost has no business talking shit about HIM. It’s the same formula, tough guy. Simple hooks built around a pretty voice and irresistible vocal patterns. With a slightly different lyrical approach, a song like “Body and Blood” could easily pass for Love Metal. If anything, Ghost is more danceable. Just listen to them turn circus music (“Secular Haze”) and Disco (“Year Zero”) into infectious first-listen singles. Then again, every song on the album is a single. From the NWOBHM-infused theatrical pomp of “Per Aspera ad Inferi” to the laid back ’70s swag of “Monstrance Clock,” there are no weak spots in this lineup. And I highly recommend tracking down the deluxe edition. You simply must hear their rendition of Abba’s “I’m a Marionette” (featuring Dave Grohl on drums). Abba is a very fitting band for Ghost to cover. They share the same homeland and their approaches to songwriting aren’t all that different. I’d bet they could turn “Dancing Queen” into Occult Rock gold as well. Whether I hate to admit it or not, this LP is completely flawless. No way they’ll ever be able to top it.
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