Ghost, Prequelle | Album Review 💿

Despite the fact that Ghost sings about medieval death via plague, their 4th album, Prequelle, is alluring and at times, quite beautiful.

Grammy-winning, Swedish metal band Ghost is back with some serious bite… and melody too.  According to mastermind Tobias Forge (via Revolver), the band’s fourth studio album, Prequelle, is “loosely themed around the concept of death and doom. It’s…themed around medieval times, but … [clings] onto a lot of very current things.” Dark stuff.  Despite the darkness the collective brings to the picture, Prequelle ultimately shines brightly, filled with compelling metal and incredible musicianship.

“Rats”

“Ashes” kicks off Prequelle enigmatically, featuring vocals courtesy of Minou Forge (Tobias’ daughter).  Notably, she sings an altered version of “Ring Around the Rosie” before the heavier, metal cues and instrumentation take over.  “Ashes” sets the tone for imminent death, preceding the album’s crowning achievement, ✓ “Rats”.  

Ghost is amped-up on “Rats”, the promo single Prequelle. Regarding “Rats,” Forge (Cardinal Copia) shared with Revolver,  “It’s actually not technically about rodents.  It’s about something spreading as wildfire and completely destroying things quicker than you know.” Rats” commences with a pummeling, hard-hitting groove from the start.  The rhythmic guitars sound athletic, while Cardinal Copia delivers clear, commanding vocals. In addition to the compelling lead vocals, the vocal harmonies are quite impressive.  Harmonically, “Rats” has some truly distinct moments.  As for the chorus, Ghost keeps things short and simple: “Them rats!”  The heat is turned up on this hard-rocking gem.

“Faith” 

“I am all eyes / I am all ears / I am the wall / And I’m watching you fall / Because faith is mine!” Following up “Rats” is tough, but ✓ “Faith” continues the sheer excellence of Prequelle. Kicking off with a bang, it’s easy to believe in the harmonized guitars, as well as the jagged, beefy bass line.  Cardinal Copia sings with conviction throughout, particular the aforementioned excerpted chorus. Expectedly, the lyrics match the disturbed, hellish nature of the instrumental, embracing the plague-oriented concept, particularly on the second verse:

“The Luddites shun the diabolical
A fecal trail across the land
Although it…
Stinks, feels and look identical
A pack of fools can take the stand.”

“See the Light”

Notably, “Faith” features pipe organ and choral sounds during the final 30 seconds or so, fittingly segueing into ✓ “See the Light.”  “See the Light” begins much kinder and gentler compared to “Rats” and “Faith.” “Many a rat I have befriended / And so many a thorn stood between,” Cardinal Copia sings on the first verse. After showcasing poise and restraint on the verses, him and Ghost turn up on the pre-chorus and chorus sections.  “Drink me, eat me,” he sings with incredible assertiveness (he rolls the R on “drink”), continuing, “Then you’ll see the light.” Clearly, the communion is a bit sketchy, and the band isn’t exact in their intent, which actually makes things more intriguing.  Beyond the most dynamic parts of “See the Light,” there are superb musical touches, such as the keyboard that appears on the second verse, accentuating the vocals.

Following the ‘enlightenment’, “Miasma” is the first of two epic instrumentals on Prequelle.  Without lyrics, what is Ghost getting at with “Miasma?” The definition of miasma, according to Merriam-Webster, is “a vaporous exhalation formerly believed to cause disease” or “an influence or atmosphere that tends to deplete or corrupt.” That definitely fits the narrative of the album and times, particularly considering that there was something called miasma theory that was eventually disproved.  As for the “Miasma” at hand, it’s led by enthusiastic guitars, and features a gritty, spirited saxophone solo (Gavin Fitzjohn).

“Dance Macabre” 

“You’ll soon be hearing the chime / Close to midnight.” Thudding kick alone accompanies souped-up guitars at the onset of ✓ “Dance Macabre”, the second single issued in advance of Prequelle.  Soon afterward, the groove of the drums expands to incorporate high hat, snare – the full palette of the drums. Cardinal Copia delivers compelling lead vocals throughout, never impeded by the production work, particularly on the verses.  Notably, on the first verse, piano joins the mix, adding some tenderness and contrast. While the guitars remain the main attraction of the instrumental palette on the chorus, there’s also a hint of shimmering synths. This is clearly reminiscent of 70s/80s hard rock and metal sound, with a hint of dance/disco.  Beyond the backdrop, the chorus is catchy, though but not particularly deep.

“Just wanna be
Wanna bewitch you in the moonlight
Just wanna be
I wanna bewitch you all night.”

Also, worth noting, is the 80s-infused guitar solo and instrumental break section.

Lush strings stand out at the onset of the morbid “Pro Memoria,” yet another memorable piece of the plague.  Filled with lovely keyboard cues as well as those signature hard-nosed, unapologetic guitars, the contrast and elite musicality exhibited is among the selling points.  Clearly, Cardinal Copia highlights the deadly nature of the plague, sparing only a select few.

“Don’t you forget about dying
Don’t you forget about your friend death
Don’t you forget that you will die
Don’t you forget about dying.”

“Witch Image” 

“While you sleep in earthly delight / Someone’s flesh is rotting tonight.” “Witch Image” begins much more assertively than “Pro Memoria,” relying more on its dynamic, bluesy harmonized guitars as opposed to keyboards or more delicate cues.  Penultimate number “Helvetesfönster” (translate as “hell window”) marks the second instrumental of the album and proves to be as compelling as the first if not more so.  The keyboard and synthesizer programming are amazing – there’s no other way to put it. Add the soaring guitars, anchored by the bass, and this a breathtaking instrumental… I’m speechless. “Life Eternal” concludes finding Cardinal Copia reflecting oscillating between immortality and mortality. In the grand scheme of Prequelle, death isn’t a matter of ‘if’ but rather ‘win,’ but clearly the protagonist is struggling with the inevitable as the plague takes it toll.

Final Thoughts

Ghost delivers a tight, well-conceived metal album with Prequelle. At 41 minutes, it’s the perfect length and honestly, a rather easy listen on the ears.  Maybe the fact that it’s incredibly melodic will turn some off – it shouldn’t.  The musicianship that Forge and company shows – particularly on the stellar instrumentals “Miasma” and “Helvetesfönster” – is enough reason to praise Prequelle.  There isn’t a bad song or a truly weak moment to be found.

✓ Gems: “Rats,” “Faith,” “See the Light,” “Dance Macabre,” “Pro Memoria” & “Helvetesfönster”

Ghost • Prequelle • Loma Vista • Release: 6.1.18

Photo Credits: Loma Vista