GHOST — Opus Eponymous (review)

GHOST — Opus Eponymous album cover Album · 2010 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Opus Eponymous" is the debut full-length studio album by Swedish heavy rock/metal act Ghost. The album was released though Rise Above Records in Europe in October 2010 and through Metal Blade Records in the US in January 2011. Ghost has been one of the most talked about acts in the last couple of years. Mostly because of their image and theatrical appearance, wearing hoods and masks (and not revealing their real names), but also because of their satanic/occult lyrics. The whole occult secrecy thing has definitely worked in the band´s favour, and they´ve experienced a lot of success in both Europe and in the US.

The music on the album is maybe a bit surprisingly a pretty soft type heavy rock/metal, greatly influenced by acts like Coven, Black Widow, Uriah Heep, Blue Oyster Cult (all 70s hard/heavy rock acts) and when they are most heavy Mercyful Fate. The "regular" rock instrumentation of guitar, bass and drums are supplemented by an omnipresent organ. Lead vocalist Papa Emeritus doesn´t possess the most powerful or distinct voice in the world, but the use of choirs and harmony vocals help elevate that part of the music to a higher level, than what I initially expected after listening to his voice the first time.

The 9 tracks on the 34:35 minutes long album are generally very simple vers/chorus compositions, with sing along choruses that work well for the most part. It´s only the short intro track "Deus Culpa" and the outro track "Genesis", which are both instrumentals, that doesn´t fit that description of the music.

Although "Opus Eponymous" might not be the most original sounding album, and Ghost use image and lyrical antics that quite a few artists have done before them, the album still comes off as a quality release with solid musicianship, a warm and organic sound production, and well written material. The music could have been structurally slightly more adventurous (although the band do spice things up with the occasional bridge or inserted section) but if you can appreciate easily accessible heavy rock/metal with instantly recognisable choruses "Opus Eponymous" delivers just that. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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