ghost - meliora

i am working on my ghost collection and i am not far from a complete full length catalogue as of now. after snagging "prequelle" and then "opvs eponymovs" shortly afterwards, i was out for the second and third albums, namely "infestissumam"from 2013 and "meliora" from 2015. if i had earnestly pursued these goals, i already would have found solutions. the records are out there in multiple pressings and second hand marketplaces offer reasonable options.

other stuff held me back. i usually blow my monthly budget on new re-issues and new releases, so ebay and discogs finds became rare in the past. no difference this time and right so, because otherwise i still wouldn't know the greatness that is "meliora". i ordered this new pressing at nuclear blast. in preperation for the wacken show last year i listened to the hit singles of the two ghost albums i didn't have, sure that they would play those songs.

when i listened to "from the pinnacle to the pit", "he is" and "mummy dust" only the latter one could really grab me. so i was sceptical if that record was really for me. now with the experience of a few spins i can safely say that there was no need for such feelings. all the songs did click with me and i almost think it is my favourite of the three records i know by now.

the presentation is outstanding to say the least. the record is housed in a super glossy gatefold sleeve that has the accompanying booklet attached to the inside right panel. every single song has its own page and piece of art, which is just breathtaking. the dust sleeve is printed on the outside and black on the inside which is always a nice touch. on top this stunning white and red merge vinyl. yummy. 2.000 copies pressed. universal music. 2018.

ghost - opvs eponymovs

i am back from wacken and back in shape to write some new words. this year's festival was a blast! personally i gazed at the best line-up of all my four participations in the world largest all-metal festival. i witnessed fantastic shows of converge, gojira, dimmu borgir, madball, mantar and of course ghost. this time i didn't find any vinyl in the many small booths (i wish back that big merchandise tent) at the retailer area and so i was looking if i had any record at home not written about, which might be apt for the topic.

so here we are with ghost's debut "opvs eponymovs". the band played on friday, or better saturday morning at 1:45 a.m. man, that was a tough time slot for me. i was around for quite a few hours and watching cool bands and because i am old i really felt torn watching ghost. on the one hand i was really enjoying it because they were that good but on the other hand i secretly wished it to be over soon because my back hurt. anyway, it was worth the little pain. check out this video of some dude who stood almost at the same spot as me.

so, what does "opvs eponymovs" sound like? well, i don't have to tell you because most probably you know that already. i am the one who is alarmingly late to this band here. it is just the right mixture of doom/stoner rock with occultism and pop music. there is more emphasis on the doom/stoner part on this early record but it doesn't seem too far from the recent stuff. great music all the way through. i am in love with ghost. this is a recent re-press by rise above records on lovely opaque turquoise vinyl out of 500 copies. bought at nuclear blast. rise above. 2010/2018.

ghost - prequelle

i got a number of new releases in the span of the past two or three weeks and i am very excited about them. so in an attempt to be up-to-date and not slow and old, i am going to blog them all off in a row. the starter will be my first ghost record "prequelle". i was always good at being late to a great band party and in keeping with the tradition, i am late with ghost as well. yeah, i am old-fashioned like that.

there was quite a buzz surrounding the release of "prequelle". the band's first three full lengths sold very well and especially the theatrical stage performances and image of the band built quite a reputation. a reputation which didn't reach me in the past. but via a backstage club notification of emp mailorder (a member ship which spares me domestic shipping costs and paid off numerous times by now) i got news of an exclusive vinyl edition and a link to the video of the first single "rats".

wow, video and song both blew me away. "rats" is a catchy hell of a great pop-metal piece and the video reminded me partly of michael jacksons "thriller". after witnessing this revelation i had to buy the record. the whole package doesn't disappoint at all. "prequelle" is occult pop entertainment the best possible way. can't wait to see them live at this year's wacken festival. the physical vinyl edition looks nice as well. only the vinyl colour seemed more exciting in theory than in reality. 500 clear/silver swirl copies made. loma vista records. spinefarm records. 2018.