Ghost - Prequelle

"Prequelle" is the 4th album by Swedish rock/metal band Ghost.  It's hard to say exactly what genre these guys fit into as their music is so varied they are quite a hard band to pigeon hole. But for someone who likes variation on albums and bands pushing themselves in new ways this is a very good thing for me. Although Ghost formed back in 2006. I only heard of them last week (July 2018). Showing I have well and truely missed the boat on this one. But after a recommendation from a friend I found myself listening to the top tracks by them and most of them seemed to be off this album which came out at the start of June 2018. So let's get into it....

It's a bit of a none start really, as first track "Ashes" takes a while till you can actually hear it, then when it does you get a sampler from kids tune "Ring around the roses". Which is a bit random but the guitar kicks in about half way through and it's only 1 minute and 21 seconds long and to say the best is yet to come is a huge understatement as next track "Rats" testifies. There are many good things about "Rats".  The soothing, gliding vocals by lead singer is something which makes Ghost a truely great band along with the excellent musianship. As Cardianal Copia sings the actual chorus where he emphasises the word "rats" is quite a moment and one you are glad to hear again and again throughout the song. There is also a fine guitar solo in this song which is just one quiver in their bow.  This is quite a heavy song musically but as I say the vocals are what seperate Ghost and make them hugely listenable.

"Faith" has Copia's trademark vocals but also mixes it up with more appropriate ghostly dark vocals. Kind of Mwhahahhahahhaha style feeling about it and also has a nice organ style outro.  "See the Light" takes things down a notch and the singing just gets even better.  To me it sounds more classic rock with some progressive elements.  Next track "Misasma" throws a bit of a curve ball. And I didn't really expect it. This track is purely instrumental. Personally I think it shows a lot about the talent of a band who can make a good instrumental track. As often bands can hide not very good tracks with excellent vocals/lyrics. As often that can be the main focus of the track. Without the vocals for a whole song. It has to be good. And "Misasma" is very good!!  At just over 5 minutes it takes you on a journey letting different instruments coming to the forefront of the song. For instance the keyboards, then guitar, then a truely amazing saxaphone solo which is my highlight of the entire album. It has such a good tempo the song and could go on for 7-10 minutes and I wouldn't get bored of it.

When you think that can't be topped, the next track does really try and its not far off. "Dance Macabre".  This track is back to the classic rock feel again with gliding vocals and soaring choruses. You can imagine these songs would be great singalongs in a live arena.  "Pro Memoria" has a more gental introduction with some nice violins and piano. This song does make me laugh a bit as I sarastically think about how positive the lyrics are to the song with things like "Don't you forget about dying", "Don't you forget that you will die".  The song is good though and has quite a theatrical feel to it and is more piano driven than the other tracks.

"Witch Image" kicks things back up a gear with yet another rocking, singalong chorus.  Then another turn in the album sees another instrumental - "Helvetesfonster" slow things right back down again, at least to begin with. It almost sounds like some sort of woodwind instrument being played here as the track slowly builds up after 2 minutes of interesting "weaving". Then things start to get dramatic as the twists and turns become more substantial. While being totally different to "Misasma" this track is just as good in its own way.  Then final track "Life eternal" goes out on a trimphant note.  It just has that epic feel to it. One of those songs that can create moments played live that you would never forget.  It builds and builds throughout the song coming to a great climax with opera style vocals towards the end of the track.

Overall this really is an exceptional album and you really do not know what way they are going to turn next. It's one of those that they just keep you guessing. But its never the same path as they are always mixing it up and keeping it very interesting for the listener. I have mentioned that probably the best tracks on the album are the two instrumentals as I feel these tracks show off the best of the talent the band has to offer. But that does not take anything away from the vocal performance of Cardinal Copia. As without his vocals this album would not be half as good as it is. I will certainly be listening to a lot more of Ghost this year as I delve further into their back catalogue.