Ghost Opus Eponymous

by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer

Opus Eponymous is the eagerly anticipated debut album from the mysterious Swedish heavy metal band Ghost, whose membership is still a mystery and who play live in robes and the priestly attire depicted on the cover of Opus Eponymous. Remember the hysteria over so-called Satanic heavy metal bands in the early ‘80s? If those bands were truly in league with Satan, they’d probably have sounded a lot like Ghost.

Ghost’s sound is equal parts Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Diamond Head (or maybe Angel Witch) and Mercyful Fate. They take Sabbath’s heavy riffage, BOC’s fuzzy groove and almost psychedelic weirdness, Diamond Head’s vocal style and imagery (the cover of Opus Eponymous bears a striking resemblance to Behold the Beginning), plus a general NWOBHM-sounding analog production, and Mercyful Fate’s obsession with Satan and all his infernal majesty. The lyrics are completely occult and Satan-obsessed; so much so that it’s obviously part of the act, which makes it that much more fun. These elements come together as a gloriously wicked whole, an album that’s so old school you’d swear it was at least 30 years old.

The album is short, needing a pair of throwaway instrumentals to push it past the 30-minute mark, but that only reinforces its resemblance to some forgotten slab of vinyl from metal’s early days. The seven real songs on Opus Eponymous are all instant classics though. The sinister groove of “Ritual,” “Death Knell,” and “Satan Prayer” should be enough to convince skeptics to bow down at Ghost’s unholy altar. If not, the epic, doomy closer (not counting the instrumental outtro “Genesis”) “Prime Mover” should seal the deal.

Yes, Ghost’s sound is calculated and gimmicky, but that so doesn’t matter when the music is this much fun. Opus Eponymous is totally worth the hype. Who knew worshipping Satan could be so goddamned groovy?

Genre: Heavy Metal

Band:
Unknown

Track Listing:

1. Deus Culpa
2. Con Clavi Con Dio
3. Ritual
4. Elizabeth
5. Stand By Him
6. Satan Prayer
7. Death Knell
8. Prime Mover
9. Genesis

Label: Rise Above

Website: www.myspace.com/thebandghost

Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10