13. Ghost - Opus Eponymous
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qqfqqT4bds Track List: 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 The most modern record on this list and one that kickstarted the Occult Rock resurgence which is currently in very rude health. Ghost (or Ghost B.C as they are known in the States) are quintessentially a band's band, their popularity spearheaded by the likes of Phil Anselmo (Pantera/Down) and James Hetfield (Metallica) wearing their t-shirts onstage and name-checking them at every given opportunity - you can get no better validation of a bands pedigree than a recommendation from those guys. Ghost may be instantly recognisable by their eccentric on-stage presence (hooded 'Nameless Ghouls' comprise the backing band while vocals are handled by contorted Roman Catholic Pope-lookalike and vocalist 'Papa Emeritus') but this only scratches the surface of what this extraordinary band has to offer. On Opus Eponymous, Ghost conjure a warm, consciously-traditional 70's Hard Rock guitar sound, incorporating melody, big choruses and occult lyrics and Satanic themes which combine to create something new yet contradictorily old-school. They could have arrived in 1970 and no one would have batted a slowly decaying eyelid; Black Sabbath may have been nervous of such quality competition though. Is it any coincidence that Ghost's popularity has led to the exposure of the original Occult Rock band Coven (check out their own debut Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls from 1969) and for that alone our hell-bound souls remain humbly and eternally grateful.
Christopher Jennings
Contributor
I love Heavy Metal, and generally anything that involves a guitar and loud noises, so I figured it was about time I put all the useless information in my head to good use and start writing a few things. Most of the time I'll be writing nonsense but occasionally I may surprise myself and appear half-way knowledgable.....but you can be the judge of that. Thanks for your fleeting attention!
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Christopher