Those 'nameless ghouls' from Sweden that call themselves Ghost (well, due to legal reasons they have to go by the name of Ghost B.C. here in the US, which means 'Before Christ' apparently) are back with their second album for Rise Above Records, titled Infestissumam. Not too much has changed since their debut, as the band of unknown demons, along with their frontman Papa Emeritus II (is he the same guy under the hood & mask as before? That being the key question...) once again deliver melodic, Satanic themed hard rock & metal sounds that bring to mind such classic acts as Mercyful Fate, Black Sabbath, and Blue Oyster Cult.
Now, when everyone was gushing over these guys are year or so ago, I held my ground and refused to buy into the hype. Was it the robes, masks, and unknown identities of the band that people were going nuts over, or was there really something special happening with their brand of Satanic mayhem? Further inspection on my part found over time actually discovered some classy and melodic music to be found on their debut, and with Infestissumam, Ghost B.C. manage to take things into even more sophisticated waters. With increased pop and even prog rock elements coming to the forefront, this latest CD is less 'metal' than the debut, but still heavy hitting enough in spots to please all the headbangers in the house. Those rich vocal harmonies and catchy hooks, not to mention the intelligent guitar riffs and tasty keyboards, are present in a big way, and man, the Blue Oyster Cult influence plays an even bigger part here than on the debut. "Per Aspera Ad Inferi", "Secular Haze", "Ghuleh/Zombie Queen", and the over the top "Year Zero" features all those soaring melodies and quirky pop elements that made those '80s BOC albums so much fun, especially the Buck Dharma songs. "Body and Blood" is one of the catchiest hard rock/prog tunes I've heard in a while, with some nifty keyboard noodling and crisp guitar licks; metal it ain't, but it sure is a great tune. The same can be said for "Idolatrine", a pumping pomp/prog rocker, complete with some zesty Deep Purple styled keyboard swells. The heaviest track here is probably "Depth of Satan's Eyes", a spooky, doomy, gothic metal romp that is part Mercyful Fate, part Black Sabbath, but again containing those quirky keyboards and hook laden vocal passages that almost wouldn't sound out of place on a...gulp...can't believe I'm going to say this...Beach Boys record!
Thankfully the Satanic lyrical element is toned down somewhat, though it's still here, instead the band have worked hard on letting the songs speak for themselves, succeeding on the merits of their catchy melodies rather than overbearing, and to some, offensive lyrics. Sure, they got plenty of attention based on their oddball stage garb, Satanic themes, and anonymity, but the meat and potatoes of it all is that Ghost B.C. know how to craft some really melodic, intelligent heavy rock songs, and that's what's going to take them to where they want to go, not the image. A very good sophomore effort, and it will be interesting to see where they go from here.
Track Listing
1) Infestissumam
2) Per Aspera Ad Inferi
3) Secular Haze
4) Jigolo Har Megiddo
5) Ghuleh/Zombie Queen
6) Year Zero
7) Body and Blood
8) Idolatrine
9) Depth of Satan's Eyes
10) Monstrane Clock
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