Opus Eponymous by Ghost

To start, I will say that I am a pretty big fan of Ghost. I have not exactly been around since the start, but I have been a fan since Meliora. I think that Ghost is an absolutely brilliant band that blends old school rock with modern metal, like conjoined twins with skull shaped face paint on. Furthermore, I can easily see them going down as one of the greats, like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Metallica, and more. I can very easily see them get inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in the near future. So, I am going to review every ghost album including the live album to show you why you should become a part of the clergy’s fanbase. Without further ado, let’s begin the review of Ghost’s first studio album, Opus Eponymous.

    1.Deus Culpa

Deus culpa is an atmospheric instrumental designed to open the album. This introduction creates a very eerie atmosphere. It definitely sets the stage for what’s to come. It’s dark and moody. The organs do a great job of that, as organs pretty much always do. It really builds anticipation in a way one can only describe as bliss, and really adds to the overall experience of the album as a whole. Rating N/A

     2. Con Clavi Con Dio

The song after the brilliant opening really does have to awe. You can’t go from an opening like that to some mediocre metal song with generic guitar work. Thankfully, if there is one thing ghost does well, it’s the guitar work. The riffs on this one are memorable and well executed. The opening to this song is a very worthy follow-up to Deus Culpa as well, going from the dark atmospheric organ track to the headbanging badassness of the guitars. The drums and bass add a lot too, but the guitar has to steal the show, and it does. The anticipation built from the opening pays off really well. The reason that I feel it was a good choice to use such an opening is because if the album just opened with some badass riffs, it would feel very jarring. Not because the riffs are headbanging, but because the mood of this album doesn’t lend itself well to that kind of opening. Having that organ introduction avoids that problem all together and shows you what you are in for in one fell swoop. Anyways, back to THIS song. The vocals are the standout aspect of this band in general. As good as the guitar work may be, the vocals are about 10 times better. He is a character named Papa Emeritus. It appears to be a different character in each album, which is a welcome part of the gimmick. The anonymity of the band is quite alluring. Though, it was recently revealed through a lawsuit the real name of The Papa, I will not say it here. I respect the anonymity and character aspects of ghost, so if you want to ruin it for yourself, you can feel free to. The way Papa sings is chock full of melody. It is not the normal bombastic yelling and screaming vocals that are the staple of modern metal. Some people may get turned off of the band because of the vocalist’s much more subdued style. I would personally say that those people have no taste in music, but that’s just me being a snob and elitist. The main melody of this song is very eerie, thus keeping up the mood from the intro. The lyrics being about worshipping satan adds to the whole experience. This song is absolutely amazing and I can’t sing its praises enough. The only problem I have with it is that while not necessarily short at over 3 minutes long, I do wish it was longer, just because it’s so good. 10/10.

    3. Ritual

Just as before, the riffs are very memorable here. This sort of guitar work is what I feel the modern metal scene needs more of. We have way too much of the extremely non-melodic strumming and djent style riffs. I’m not saying that style is bad, just overdone. I've long since said we need more groove and melody in guitar riffs. Ghost provides that and I value the unique style a lot.The band maintains the dark atmosphere here. Which they will continue to do throughout the whole album. The chorus of this song almost sounds like it could be from that scene in every scooby doo movie where the theme of the monster plays when it chases the gang. Or when shit hits the fan in general. That’s a good thing by the way. Basically, the song sounds dark, but sounds like its not taking itself too seriously, nor should it. That’s the thing with ghost in general. Yes, it’s gimmick is satan worshipping. Yes, the music is very dark. That said, it’s all tongue in cheek. At least, that’s how it comes across. I think that’s a good thing, because if ghost took themselves too seriously, it could very well ruin the entire spectacle. The vocals are also standout on this track. As you’ll soon find, is the case with pretty much every ghost track. The lyrical content is just as amazing as last time. Not anything amazingly profound, but for what it is, it does not need to be. Ghost is a band about worshipping satan. Enjoy the gimmick for what it is, because they sure as hell do. I think this song is as perfect as a song can get. 10/10

    4. Elizabeth

While I prefer Ritual to this song, I can not say in good conscience that is because of any flaw on the song’s behalf. I honestly cannot say why this song is less enjoyable to me than the last two tracks were. I will say that I’m really enjoying the satan worshipper gimmick that this band has. There is the concern that such a niche gimmick could get very old very fast, but I honestly think every song is different enough that it manages to still feel fresh. Even after 10 listens. Like I said before, I prefer ritual to this song, but it’s still an easy 9/10.

    5. Stand By Him

The riffs in this track are just as amazing as they have been on every other track thus far, as well as the instrumentals and especially the vocals. That being said I think it is less memorable than the rest were thus far, but similar to Elizabeth, it still amazing in every way. 9/10.

 

  6. Satan Prayer

This song continues the amazing instrumentals and standout vocal performance from the band. I’ll say this. This band is truly unique and truly special. By that, I mean that their sound is unlike any other, and it’s so good that it stands out from the rest. If there were a single band I’d point to that will still be listened to in 40 years, it’s this one. I’m confident that ghost will last the test of time. As for the song, i'm just repeating myself at this point. I will say that I think this song is good, but it’s certainly not as memorable as the first half of this album. 8/10.

    7. Death knell

This song is your run of the mill ghost song. There’s nothing particularly special about it, it’s just ghost. 8/10.

    8. Prime mover

Hands down one of the best tracks on the album. There was a bit of a rough patch for the last 2 songs, but ghost really comes back on this one. Not to say that the last two songs were bad or that I disliked them, they just weren't special. They really did not stand out. That said, I think it is really hard to pick favorites on an album as good as this one, but this is right up there with ritual and con clavi con dio. Memorable riffs, great vocals, great lyricism, tone is consistent. This is flat out one of the best ghost songs even 3 albums later. 10/10

    9. Genesis

This is the only song on the album that I actually dislike. It is an instrumental, and not a bad one, just not a great one. Sure, if it were on a different album, i'm sure it would stand out as a great track. When compared with the sheer quality of many tracks on this album however, it just does not hold up. It is far too average for my liking. Still, it is a ghost track. 7/10.

Overall, this album kicks major ass. One of the best modern metal albums out there. Ghost is not everybody’s cup of tea. They have a much more melodic and subdued vocal style, which can throw some people off. I will say that I personally think that it adds to the dark and moody atmosphere that a ghost song should have. At least on this album. The riffs should be every metalhead’s cup of tea though, because they are badass as hell. Pun fully intended. The total score for the day is an impressive 88.75%. I will be reviewing every ghost album, including the live one, just because I feel like it.