Ghost's Prequelle: Track-By-Track Musings

Ghost has rapidly become one of my favorite bands over the past year, thanks to catching their live set opening for Iron Maiden last summer, as well as the rock-solid bad-assery of the last record, Meliora. Now, the wait for their new platter, Prequelle, is over. I've been pretty hyped for the past few months. Does Prequelle pay off? Let's take it track by track and see.

Track 1: "Ashes"

A creepy little intro number that provides a thick, foreboding atmosphere. Kinda like the first 45 minutes of Alien. Kids choruses are creepy. I'm totally ready for this shit!

Track 2: "Rats"

A good, hard-driving track, like "Bark at the Moon" with less shredding. Singer Tobias Forge is in fine form, and his sense of melody is as infectious as it is lethal. The chorus only consists of two words but it really embeds itself in your head. The guitar solos are the kind that you can hum after one or two listens, proving shredding five million notes a minute isn't the only way to get it done. And that last riff crushes EVERYTHING.

Track 3: "Faith"

Opens with super Maiden-esque harmonies, setting you up for some serious power metal before the mid-tempo stomp kicks in. The solo after the first chorus is a little wankier than Ghost's usual, but I dig it. The drummer's doing mad work here. The beat is so persistent, so solid, and just irresistible. Your head WILL bang. Forge isn't on fire here like on "Rats", but it's still a kick-ass tune.

Track 4: "See the Light"

Forge is carrying this tune. It's a testament to how powerful his voice is. We've got prominent piano works in the verses. Then things blow up at the chorus. "Every day that you feed me with hate/ I grow stronger"... Hmm... Sounds like this song could be about Trump. Or Star Wars fanboys...

Track 5: "Miasma"

Holy super sounds of the 70's!! Ghost has always had a foot in 70's rock and metal, but this tune sounds full-on Edgar Winter Group. It's reminding me of something that would have been on the Thor: Ragnarok soundtrack. I see Vikings and valkyries and wizards and tricksters and shit. And a sax solo!! This tune's like that mall in Blues Brothers. It's got everything!

Track 6: "Dance Macabre"

Are you ready to shake your shit? This is the Ghost song to shake to. Forge is out of his mind on this one. Tuneful, soulful, soaring. Love the harmonies in the pre-chorus. And another killer guitar solo! This is almost power pop, but it's hooking, catchy and just a lot of damn fun. Three cheers for toxic relationships!!

Track 7: "Pro Memoria"

Look out, Axl Rose! You aren't the only one who wants to be Elton John. The pianos are pretty and the melody soars. This is kind of the sequel to "He Is", but it's more sinister and not as immediately. Still, love the epicness and the orchestral touches. I just don't want to sing along like I do with "He Is."

Track 8: "Witch Image"

Back to the crunchy, classic rockin' goodness. The riff feels like it's unfinished. It needs a little something else to get it over the top. The chorus demands to be sung along with. This song would be great background noise for a road trip, but it's a little too poppy for me.

Track 9: "Helvetesfonster"

We got ourselves a waltz here. An instrumental waltz, at that. Some impressive piano and synth work here. I like the quiet breakdown that sounds like something a medieval king might have playing in his court. Kinda feel like I don't need this after "Miasma." It's a cool track, but I feel like we need another hard rocking tune instead.

Track 10: "Life Eternal"

Absolutely beautiful. And given that I'm still being tortured by the memory of someone who used to be, but is no longer, part of my life, it resonates with me. I'm tearing up over here. Excellent closer!!

Overall:

Prequelle frequently hits that sweet spot between hard rocking rhythmic hooks and powerful, soaring vocal melodies. At its best, the record will have you singing along, stomping your feet and throwing up the Devil Horns simultaneously. The back half of the record is weaker than the front half and the record could really use at least one more heavy tune. But Ghost manages to keep you enthralled and engaged with Prequelle, and the record's a helluva lot of fun. It's not quite as good as Meliora, but it's still pretty damn awesome!