Opus Eponymous

Ghost | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: October 18, 2010
• Label: Rise Above Records
• Copyright: 2010 Rise Above Records
• Total Length: 34:41
• Genres: Hard Rock & Metal/Death Metal, Rock/Progressive
• ASIN: B0047E6LW6
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,057 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)
  • #29 in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums > Hard Rock & Metal > Death Metal
  • #29 in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums > Rock > Progressive

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual modern metal., December 14, 2010

By 

Andrew D. Mckay "demonazz74" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Opus Eponymous (Audio CD)

I bought this album based upon some reviews (Decibel, and other reviews I found online) as well as the samples here on Amazon, and some of the videos posted on You Tube. It sounded different, and I was interested in something... different, and I have not been disappointed. This album is very unique. From my perspective, it's best described as a meld of early Mercyful Fate, Voivod, and '70s rawk, all adorned with pipe organs, some odd synth/organs here and there, and the occasional guitar drone; however, upon my first listen, what really struck me, and not in an entirely good way, was the crisp, clear vocal delivery. As someone who's generally more into harsh, abrasive vocals, Ghost's clean, clear vocals really caught me off guard, and I wasn't sure if this was going to be up my alley. At times the vocals teeter on the verge of King Diamond (ala Mercyful Fate), but not as shrill (and I like the lyrics, unlike King Diamond's, which I feel focus too much on furthering a story, and not so much on making a good song and are, as a result, embarrassing at times); at other times, the vocals are reminiscent of Snake of Voivod (ala Nothingface). After a few listens, I was really digging the vocals, as well as the album, as a whole. Lyrically, the subjects deal exclusively with evil, worshiping and praising Satan. Again, very different, subject-wise for vocals delivered in such a clear and open manner, but it's all very well done. Musically, the songs blend great rock riffs, delivered on guitars/amps/effects more reminiscent of '70s rock than metal, incredibly groovy bass tones, and as I had previously mentioned, some very cool, and very appropriate organ/synth work. It's an unusual blend, for sure. Perhaps a little too "nice" sounding for many who typically get into dark, evil music (generally, like myself), so if you're heavily into more extreme Black Metal (like me) or Death Metal, or Grind, etc., you may want to give this a serious preview before buying. But I'm into very abrasive music of all kinds, and I really like this album. I would rank it among my top purchases this year (of which I have made many... purchases, that is). If you like Mercyful Fate, you may very well enjoy this as well. If you like Voivod, and are willing to swap the sci-fi themes with those of hammer horror and praises sung to Satan, then you will probably enjoy this. I'm loving it. It's a great record with great songs, and it adds a different dimension to my daily soundtrack (of course, there have been many days, where this album IS my ENTIRE daily soundtrack, just because I love it so dearly). I don't write reviews too often, but this is one album that I felt needed to be reviewed ASAP. If you're reading this review, and it sounds even a little bit interesting to you, you should definitely give it a try.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mercyful Fate, Blue Öyster Cult, and Voivod walk into a bar..., December 23, 2010

By 

Michael Halekakis (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Opus Eponymous (Audio CD)

With the year closing and my need for fresh metal sounds growing, I decided to start perusing some best of 2010 lists. One such list thankfully led me to the mighty Ghost, a Swedish metal band whose songs instantly had me fervently nodding my head and smiling in knowing appreciation. My first thought? Why the heck haven't I heard more bands truly trying to capture the (black) magic of Mercyful Fate!

I think the answer probably lies in Mercyful Fate's uniqueness from an overall sound perspective, but more importantly their utter genius in songwriting. It's a very tough act to follow, and yet Ghost have managed to tap into that sound brilliantly with catchy tunes, excellent vocals that--as another reviewer mentioned--will really remind a hardcore Voivod fan of Snake at his best, deeply twisted horror lyrics, and production that's just glossy enough without being too over the top. Add a touch of early '80s Blue Öyster Cult and you have a group that truly stands out as being an homage to some of the best bands ever, yet utterly different amongst the greater crop of 21st Century metal. \m/

EDIT: I've gotten a lot of comments on this review, plus and minus, many ultimately deleted. I think it's interesting to see just how polarizing this record is on all fronts, and I've enjoyed reading the spectrum of opinions. After a ton of listens though I continue to stand by both the review and the comparisons to the bands mentioned for the various reasons I mentioned them. If you don't get it or it ain't your bag, especially on the vocal front, I understand. I know a lot of metal fans that miss out on King Diamond because they can't get behind his voice. I can't begin to count the number of people I know that miss out on amazing music because they can't handle screams or growls.

I happen to love this record; the other guitarist in my band happens to hate it. Thankfully there are many tastes for many tongues in this world.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Satanic rock album, March 18, 2011

By 

Bloodbath_and_Beyond (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Opus Eponymous (Audio CD)

One of the most talked about metal bands in the underground scene of recent has been Swedish band Ghost. Only releasing a demo and a single over the course of the last 2 years, and few festival appearences, the band of unknowns who keep their idendities secret most likely have been shaping their sound and concept and after finally unleashing their debut album in 2011, everyone is wondering what will it be like. The band who plays in hooded cloaks, hiding their faces, and the frontman who is dressed as a Satanic arch bishop type Pope, in some circles would be humorous. But instead of playing typical Satanic/thrash metal ala the Norway black metal groups or anything resembling Cannibal Corpse or Lamb Of God, they play straight ahead throwback 70's style metal. Making the concept acceptable somehow.

In todays times, its impossible to be original...everyone has seen everything and something as theatrical as what Ghost does seems like something from a by gone era ala, Alice Cooper and Kiss and even lesser known Demon and Pagan Altar, who Ghost take alot of influence from in the doom metal catagory. They are all about Satan, as the opening piece Deus Culpa sets the tone with a funeral like organ hymn. We blast into Con Clavi Con Dio. With a chugging bass line this at first sounds like another boring trip into thrash metal but thats quickly done away with as the extremely melodic singer comes on. The frontman CAN sing, not growl or shriek. Ritual is probably the best tune on the album, the highly melodic guitar intro is a page right out of 70's classic rock, transforming into a Sabbath esque riff with a highly memorable chorus and another batch of catchy riffs at the end that ensure you will never forget this song. Thats Ghost's game here. They are evil, they are dark but theyre going to drown the evil in catchy and hooky choruses and riffs that you dont just headbang to once and forget but you will be singing along with. It's almost like pop. Highly impressive. Elizabeth (yes, about Countess Bathory) familar metal subject territory doesnt seem overdone when these guys take it. As with Stand By Him and Satan Prayer. Once again all familar things. We've heard these riffs from Sabbath, Mercyful Fate, Witchfinder General, and Candlemass but oddly in 2010/11 in a sea of boring mainstream metal and coporate Hot Topic controlling it all, the songs are hugely refreshing. Death Knell is a masterpiece. The soaring choruses demonstrate the singers ability, powerful and truely evil and yes, catchy as Hell.

The slight organ stabs add a classic psychedelic feel to the whole thing, nothing is overdone. A little of this little of that. The bass, normally buried in extreme metal genres is upfront here, even with their heavy stage show, musically Ghost never overwhelm you. They seemed to have stirred their pot of songwriting and song structure to a near perfection. Even the album artwork, looks like something right out of the more artistic 70's when record sleeves and the art involved were a big deal. The ghosty image towering over the gothic castle might seem a little cliched (and inspired by Salem's Lot) but once again, its just enough that it doenst make you laugh. Ghost have found a perfect formula of demonic dark and melevolant hard rock, ripe with catchy hooks, that just reminds you why you love Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, and the other famous dark bands. They are a celebration of those bands from the past that cut alot of ground to play dark and evil music in times when it was very forbidden. They know the past well and they make it their own. For alot of metal heads, this might not be your cup of tea, no matter how dark it is, the band has of course caught alot of flack for not being thrashy or singing with growling vocals or whatever else the norm is for boring metal anymore. Most importantly though, where other dark satanic metal bands fail to truely ignite the feel of evil, Ghost somehow does it, once again as stated, no too much, and not too little. They will be a permanant addition to your Halloween soundtrack. Go get Opus Eponymous and keep an eye on this inventive band in the future.