Review Summary: From the darkness, rise a succubus.
Following on the fiery grim-reaper coattails of their surprising debut album, Ghost returned in 2013 with a record full of new hits and soon-to-be classics for the band. Still keeping their identities a mystery, they crafted a follow-up that divided fans of the first album. Ghost proved they weren’t just a one-time gimmick by changing up their sound, offering fresh realms of creativity to their music. To some this was seen as a sophomore slump; others commended the group for daring to take risks and succeeding in doing so. For those complaining that the debut followed a standard or generic formula (yeah right),
Infestissumam provided something new for said people, while still maintaining the approachable facet and devilish-themed lyrics which they had become associated with before.
Ghost have truly diversified their music on their second release. The Satanic elements and lyrical themes are still in effect, but the Blue Oyster Cult-esque riffs that made many fans fall in love with the band have somewhat disappeared. The guitars are more laid back, softening their tones and allowing the keyboards to have a more featured role in the mix. This album is full of quirky moments, like the surf-rock moments of
Ghuleh/Zombie Queen or the demonic chants and disco drum patterns on
Year Zero. For Ghost, though, experimentation is far from a negative thing. These tracks are strange, yet their accessibility in their execution allow them to be some of the album’s highlights.
Elsewhere, the spooky, cult themes that Ghost do so well appear in spades on the standout tracks of
Monstrance Clock and
Secular Haze. These tracks are reminiscent of the weirder Alice Cooper songs, a la “Dead Babies” and “Halo of Flies”. They incorporate organ-fueled riffs and melodies that churn the music along, with Papa’s unique personality in full effect. One aspect that hasn’t vanished entirely are his catchy melodies that match the guitar and organ, which were huge for the debut. His voice is omnipresent yet again, hypnotic and haunting, offering a rare combination of shock value and catchiness that no one else is able to capture in this day and age.
While most tracks on
Infestissumam have equal potential to be instant ear worms, other moments don’t entirely work and fall somewhat short.
Per Aspera Ad Inferi is appealing, as is
Idolatrine, but they don’t really live up to the lower to mid-range moments from
Opus Eponymous. Overall, the album doesn’t have that edge and grit on each track that was notable on the debut. While the previous release was well-balanced with every song feeling just about as important and meaningful as the other,
Infestissumam relies too heavily on its’ longer stand-out tracks. Though it’s still a great release and one that warrants repeated listens, it is a step down from the entertaining, heavy introduction to the band.
These are issues that can be overlooked in the right mindset, though. No song is straight up “bad” in any sense here; some just overshadow the others. Fans can complain all they like about Ghost straying away from a metal sound, but the fact is that this diversity actually suits the band.
Infestissumam is still a metal album, albeit one that tries out new things and has a lot fun doing it.
Recommended Songs
Year Zero
Ghuleh/Zombie Queen
Monstrance Clock
Secular Haze
