Ghost - Infestissumam

Released: 10 April 2013
Label: Loma Vista

With this latest offering, Ghost is out to prove that they aren't just another flash in the pan amongst the myriad of stoner/psychedelic/70s-fused bands emerging from Sweden recently.

Most fans of Opus Eponymous(2010) might just write Ghost off their list of faves as the catchy vibe and cheesy musical references to past great bands are less obvious here. With more focus in place for melodic arrangement of vocals, keyboard parts as well as deeper songwriting.

Infestissumam, while still maintaining the unique with tracks like Secular Haze, Year Zero and the surprisingly beautiful, Ghuleh/Zombie Queen, it still serves adequate fanfare through tracks such as Per Aspera Ad Inferi, Body and Blood and Monstrance Clock.

Tracklist:

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. Monstrance Clock

It is obvious that with this sophomore release, Papa Emeritus II and The Nameless Ghouls aim to set their mark as a band with their own style and musical identity and not just be referred to as "that Mercyful Fate band". With tracks like Secular Haze, Year Zero and Jigolo Har Megiddo giving a more than a slight tap on the shoulder of 70s pop and disco, it is safe to say that the inspiring force behind this album might just be 70s dance music as compared to the more easily obvious Occult Rock direction of their debut.

A personal favourite would be Ghuleh/Zombie Queen and it would serve as the ultimate epitome of Infestissumam stylistically. It begins with a ballad infused piano intro and a cooing Papa Emeritus that stretches for a solid 3 minutes. As weird as that maybe, it's new, it's surprising and it shows depth in Ghost as a songwriting entity. They're not here to satisfy your need for a refresher of the greats in the 70s, they're here to tell you how it would sound like to be a great band from the 70s.

Clocking in at 7 and a half minutes, the song gets a tempo boost near the middle and that is where the real fun starts. With a signature chorus hook that pulls you to sing along and worship openly, tremolo doused guitar lines that weaves a nice thread through the instrumental fabric and the cheesy, scooby-snacked keyboard accompaniment that is just uniquely Ghost. Ghuleh/Zombie Queen is definitely a must to listen to.

Infestissumam might be abit more of a grower than a shocker in comparison to Opus but that's the root of the scrutiny that this album faces. That being the pressure of doing a repetition of what they have done before and being continuously judged based on a great debut. Bands evolve over time and with this album, Ghost's evolution proves that they can do much more than what most would expect.

All in all, as enjoyable as the album is, it is not all power and praise as Idolatrine and Depth of Satan's Eyes feels a tad contrived and lacks the sinful attraction of prior tracks. It is, however, saved by the inclusion of closing track, Monstrance Clock, which is another intense ending to a chapter in Ghost's sermon.

Writer's fave: Year Zero, Ghuleh/Zombie Queen, Body and Blood, Monstrance Clock

5 out of 7 sins

Pros: Refreshing direction, catchiness intact, deeper songwriting, better production quality
Cons: Too many mid to slow-tempo songs, weaker tracks feels too disjointed

Shining - Blackjazz

Released: 18 January 2010
Label: Indie Recordings

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to mix the erratic juxtaposed noise of early Nine Inch Nails with the abrasive angst of Ministry? And on top of that trickle a fancy touch of prog sensibility?

Norwegian Avant-Garde Jazz/Metal band, Shining, proves that it is possible and there's no boundary to their music that is left unexplored in their mind-numbing 2010 release, Blackjazz.

Fronted by Saxophonist and Multi-instrumentalist Jørgen Munkeby, Shining boasts an extremely energetic and fresh combination of two extreme genres of music; Jazz and Metal. With fuzzy guitar leads, screeching synths and massive growls that could leave scratch marks all over your walls, Shining has not only refined a long-lost sound of the 90s industrial genre but has also made it their own with their unique touch of prog metal and jazz on this 9-track LP.

Tracklist:

1. The Madness and The Damage Done Pt. 1

2. Fisheye

3. Exit Sun Pt. 1

4. Exit Sun Pt. 2

5. HEALTER SKELTER

6. The Madness and The Damage Done Pt. 2

7. Blackjazz Deathtrance

8. Omen

9. 21st Century Schizoid Man (King Crimson Cover)

HEALTER SKELTER is a great stand-out track on Blackjazz, mainly due to the hypnotic saxophone intro intertwining with the fuzzy bassline and sporadic drums. It sounds as though 70s prog got pissed off and went on an all-out rampage. With the absence of vocals, HEALTER SKELTER is definitely highlights Shining's instrumental prowess.

Ending the album with a cover of King Crimson's 21st Century Schizoid Man, this rendition pushes the original further into Schizophrenic madness with louder droning guitars, squealing sax and on top of it all, a very monstrous vocal performance. It just brings an old prog classic back to life from an angle most bands would usually falter. Pure badassery alert right here.

I have nothing but praise for this band, but as much as I enjoy Blackjazz, I would have preferred if they've made longer filler tracks (Exit Sun Pt. 2 and The Madness and The Damage Done Pt. 2) just so it would display a different facade on an already technically amazing band and provide a breather in between all the aural assault.

Writer's Fave: HEALTER SKELTER, Exit Sun Pt. 1, The Madness and The Damage Done Pt. 1/2

6 out of 7 sins

p.s: I know the album was released 3 years ago, but I've only found about them this year and had the strongest overwhelming urge to just review the album. so just enjoy reading it and check them out if you haven't. and if you have, good for you. there's more to come.