13/04/22 - Ghost @ Ovo Hydro, Glasgow

 Tonight, saw Ghost return to Glasgow in support of their new album "Impera".  They brought along with them two supports in the form of Twin Temple and Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats.   My gig buddy for tonight was Campbell and we had a good catch up in the Clyde built restaurant where we had dinner prior to the gig.  As we were eating, we could see the queues build outside the Hydro and we knew the first band weren't due on till 7 so we made our way over about ten to seven.

It didn't take too long to get in and as we walked in, we found Twin Temple in full flow already.  Going into the arena, apart from the stage area it was pitch black, so it was a case of trying not to bump into anyone and at the same time trying not to lose Campbell. Struggling to find out much on the internet about band members and where they are from, but I think Tobias Forge of Ghost mentioned later on in the evening that they were from America.  What instantly struck me about Twin Temple where they were quite different experience.  They had a female singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer, keyboardist and saxophone player.  It felt more of 50's, 60s rock and roll vibe.  From the songs I heard it was quite refreshing to have the saxophonist getting most of the limelight. While the guitarist had his moments it was definitely the saxophone player who stole the show.

Most of their songs were focused on Satan and all that sort of ideology.  Which kind of puts them in a position where a lot of people would turn away because of their own beliefs. But if you base it on the music rather than what the lyrics are it was a good set to start the night.  There was some sort of drinking blood ritual at the end of the set then the lead singer and guitarist had a snog.  While this was happening the rest of the band hand an almighty free form jamming session reminiscent of something The Mars Volta are well known for.

The next band up were Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats who hail from Cambridge, England.  They very much had a metal vibe while still having audible vocals. If the singer passed me in the street I wouldn't know as he had his long hair covering his face the whole set.  There was no doubt these guys rocked hard musically but perhaps were about stagnant onstage compared to the other 2 bands tonight.  They were good to see once but probably not a band I would go back to.

Next up were tonight's headliners Ghost.  I saw Ghost in 2019 on their "Prequelle" tour so had been looking forward to this one.  The stage set up I think was pretty much the same as last time from memory.  But the faceless ghouls (the band members except Tobias Forge) had different costumes which I understand were inspired by Star Wars.  Once again tonight Tobias Forge showed what a great frontman he is.  He has great stage presence and good interaction with the audience in between songs.  The guitarists got in on the act too and were having funny interactions like after one song trying to out do each others guitar solos. 

Obviously these things add to the show and go away to make the show memorable.  But the thing with Ghost is they have the music to back it up.  And now having 5 albums out along with various other releases they seem to be snowballing more and more fans into their world.  Out of the 20-song set, nearly 75% of tracks were from the last 3 albums.  4 from new album "IMPERA", 5 from "Prequelle" and 5 from "Meliora".  Then they played "Kiss the Goat" and "Mary on a cross" which was a double A-side single brought out in 2019.  They also played a cover of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" which they did for the Metallica covers album.  

My personal highlights were "Miasma", "Dance Macabre" and set closer "Square Hammer". But overall, it was a blistering set from a band who keep getting better and better. 

Photos by Campbell Hunter

Ghost - IMPERA

 

"IMPERA" is the 5th album by Swedish rock/metal band Ghost.  They have always been quite a hard band to pigeonhole.  Many metal publications have listed Ghost very high up in end of year polls.  For example, Loudwire put "Square Hammer" as best song of the decade in 2019.  They have always dressed like a metal band in their outfits, but their music does lean to more rock territories.  But this is not classic rock either.  They seemed to have this operatic style, dramatic kind of rock which they have homed in over the years since their formation in 2006.

While the first 3 albums did well for them, they seem to be a band on a steady upward trajectory and 4th album "Prequelle" helped this tremendously.  This was my entry point to Ghost, and it was such a fulfilling album in every way.  It felt like they took all their musical know how and stringed everything together perfectly to make one of the best albums of 2018.  I don't often talk about every song on an album in a review, but I did for that one as really every song was a story worth talking about.

The reason I have focused on their history so far, particularly "Prequelle" is because I'm trying to emphasise just how high a bar, Ghost set themselves for this album "IMPERA".  Not just for themselves but fans eager to see to exactly if they could do it and to see for the band themselves.  As the singles came out, one by one, it was clear that the standard was still mighty high.  With "Hunter's Moon", "Call me little Sunshine" and "Twenties".  "Twenties" in particularly had a WOW factor about it with a short brass section coming in like in a Lord of the rings scene where there is about to be a big battle.  But all these songs are punchy, catchy and full of hooks.  So needless to say, it set expectations even higher for the album.

On my first few listens to the album, I kept thinking to myself, well this is just another Ghost album, it's not as good as "Prequelle" and nothing is better than "Square Hammer".  But as I kept listening to it more and more, I kept unlocking more and more and realised it is a completely different album to "Prequelle”.  For instance, "Prequelle" the average song length was 3-4 minutes with a few over 5 minutes.  This has 5 songs over 5 minutes with a couple over 6.  There are also 3 instrumental songs on this, first track "Imperium", "Dominion" and "Bite of Passage".  These are all short tracks lasting 30 seconds to just over a minute.  Rather than being interludes, I would say they are more set up tracks effortlessly gliding into the next track of the album.  "Dominion" is a notable one as it comes before "Twenties" so has brass on it leading into the brass intro of "Twenties".  There are no long instrumentals on this like the mesmerising "Misasma" from "Prequelle" but it seems more of conscious effort to make this album different.

Generally, there is such a feel-good vibe running through this album.  Singer Tobias Forge delivers vocals with such confidence and swagger signally a frontman at the very top of his game.  The longer tracks on the album compliment the shorter tracks so well and allow the songs to really breathe and for other members to let loose. Especially through the guitar solos on "Griftwood" and closer "Respite of the Spitalfields".  2nd track "Kaisaron" is a classic too and I wouldn't be surprised if "Spillways" is the next single.

Overall, this is another absolutely fantastic album by Ghost.  They were already playing arenas in the "Prequelle" tour and with this album they look to fill them even more as the word keeps spreading just how good they are and how they continue to keep pushing themselves further.

Albums I am looking forward to in 2021

 Thought I'd take a look at albums I'm getting excited about/hoping to get released in 2021

Avenged Sevenfold - Last album "The Stage" was released in 2016 and they have been active on social media about their new album.  From the sounds of it they know what they want to do but haven't recorded it yet. It sounds like they want to have a string section so it sounds pretty ambitious and exciting.  They also say though that they want to release it when they can start touring again so who knows if it will make 2021 or not. I hope so.

The Dust Coda - Band I discovered a few years ago. A great rock and roll outfit and they are set for releasing their second album "Mojo Skyline" in March.

Foo Fighters - "Shame, Shame" was disappointing as the first single to be released from their new album which is due out February. But they are the Foo Fighters and there is bound to be at least some bangers on the new album

Ghost - No release date set but an album is due next year.  They seem to be getting better and better so looking forward to see if they can keep the momentum going with the new album.

Greta van fleet - Singles "Age of Machine" and "Way to soon" sounding good.  This is due out in May and is sounding promising.

Myles Kennedy - This one is recorded and in the bag. No release date at time of writing but says it is heavier and electric than his first solo album.

Mason Hill - The debut album by Mason Hill is a long time in the making and was delayed by covid. The singles off this were sounding huge so looking forward to see if they can make the album match high expectations.

Nosound/Giancarlo Erra - Great band which is lead by Giancarlo Erra. Giancarlo has stated on social media that both a solo album and a Nosound album are on the cards for 2021.  Looking forward to see what direction he takes on these new albums. No release date at time of writing.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - This one is more of hope rather than knowing whether they are going to release an album in 2021.  With the return of John Frusciante I really can't imagine they have been sitting doing nothing this year even with Frusicante releasing a solo album.  

Royal Blood - "Troubles coming" was in my top 10 songs of last year. No release date for the new album yet but its on the cards.

Tremonti - He is using the same studio as Myles did his 2nd solo album to record Tremonti's 5th album.  Hopefully this will land in 2021 and knowing Mark Tremonti's workrate you wouldn't put it past him.

Wayward sons - I watched a Planet rock lockdown gig this year where these guys were headlining and they were excellent. They have announced a 2021 UK tour to go with the new album but doesnt seem to have a release date for their 3rd album yet but they do say its due out in 2021

Steven Wilson - Pretty much the god of prog but seems to be going in a rock pop direction. Still as adventurous as ever in his music and looks like more keyboards to appear in this album than before.  "Future bites" due for release end of January.

With the lack of touring in 2020 I think their will be a bunch of albums in 2021 but these are the main ones I am looking forward to.

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.