Review Summary: Filler Collins.
Devilish Swedish outfit Ghost have been steadily releasing covers over the course of their 14 year career.
Simultaneously paying homage to their influences while demonstrating their versatility, Ghost have tackled gems ranging from a haunting rendition of 'I'm a Marionette' (ABBA) to the earth shaking 'Bible' (Imperiet).
Arriving just over a year after their glitzy 2022 full length 'Impera', 'Phantomime' serves up a selection of arguably less obscure tunes this time around with varying degrees of success.
Genesis, Tina Turner, The Stranglers, Iron Maiden and Television all get the Ghost treatment over the EP's lean 23 minute running time.
The EP begins on a rather weak note, with Television's 'See No Evil' limping out of the gate.
Immediately noticeable is the extremely clean production typical of Ghost's more recent releases, an immaculate sheen that couldn't be further away from cobweb riddled sophomore album 'Infestissumam'.
The track isn't terrible but rather bland and forgettable when held up to the rest of the disc.
Lead single 'Jesus He Knows Me' was a fantastic choice for the band to cover, tying into the religious themes the band has always embraced while building on the fantastic Genesis original. The bass twangs loudly in the mix, bolstering up the song alongside Papa Emeritus IV's energetically nasal vocals. Catchy and fun, this one is a winner and one of the highlights of the EP.
On the topic of highlights, next track 'Hanging Around' by British rock legends The Stranglers is wonderful.
Keyboards have always been a big part of The Strangler's sound, and this paired with Ghost's fondness for keys is a match made in heaven (or hell). The track boasts an extended solo which sneaks in a run from Metallica's 'Fade To Black' for good measure.
The attitude of the original is traded in for an upbeat sass, and surprisingly works.
The centrepiece of the project is the 7 minute 23 seconds rendition of Iron Maiden's 'Phantom Of The Opera'.
Upon seeing the initial tracklisting, one could be forgiven for thinking this would be a cover of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical number.
Instead, metal fans are treated to an almost 1:1 cover of the Maiden classic.
It only misses the mark because the original does everything better, but I have to give Ghost props for taking this one on.
Closer 'We Don't Need Another Hero' ends the EP with a dreamlike waltz, Tina Turner's 'Mad Max' hit sounding the most like a modern Ghost song (think 'Darkness At The Heart Of My Love') with a singalong chorus rounding out a mixed bag of covers.
This is a nice little bonus while fans eagerly await the release of Ghost's next full length LP, but overall this isn't an essential addition to your collection.
Check: 'Jesus He Knows Me' , 'Hanging Around'.
