Year: 2013
Ghost B.C. are a band that many of you may be familiar with or atleast heard of. In 2010, they released their debut Opus Eponymous to rave reviews. This album had almost unanimous praise from the metal community and it was hailed as one of the best debut albums of all time. This year, Ghost B.C. are ready to release their second album Infestissumam through Loma Vista Recordings. Will Ghost B.C. continue their successful run with their second album? Or will they disappoint?
Ghost B.C. is a Heavy Metal band hailing from Linköping, Sweden. This band is known for incorporating various influences in their brand of Heavy Metal and are infamous for their on-stage theatricality. They appear on stage dressed up as hooded ghouls with the front man who is known as Papa Emeritus II appearing as an evil Pope. Their second album titled Infestissumam (meaning Hostile in English) is set to be released on 9th April, 2013 through Loma Vista Recordings.
The album starts off, akin to their previous release, with some haunting chants, which as the title track progresses, is accompanied by heavy guitars and drums. This track pretty much sets the mood for rest of the album. Basically, this is a Heavy Metal album with good guitar riffs and very melodic vocals. But what sets this band apart, is the ghoulish atmosphere that looms over the entire album. The guitars and the keyboard, add a subtle lining of gothic doom to the proceedings.
This album feels like something that was recorded alongside bands like Blue Oyster Cult in the 1970's. There is enough progression in terms of the riffs and the tempo variations in each track. The music does a commendable job in transporting the listener to a dark twisted world. One fine example for this is seen in the track 'Secular Haze'. Listening to this song, one feels like walking through a creepy abandoned carnival which has scary ghouls lurking around each tent.
Another interesting aspect regarding the music, is the ability of the band to weave through different musical territory in each track. If 'Per Aspara Ad Inferi' is a clear exhibition of the gothic influences of the band, then 'Jigolo Har Meggido' is packed with a lot of funk, while 'Guleh / Zombie Queen' starts off as a soft piano ballad. The transition from one influence to the other adds immense variety to the album and it is done very tastefully.
The progression in each track, keeps the attention of the listener rooted to the music. They also inject the tracks with a psychedelic feel. The riffs and vocals on this record are extremely catchy to the point that one may be able to hum along to the music after just a single listen. It borders very close at times, to psychedelic pop of the 70's.
Lyrically, this is a very dark album. The vocalist sings praise to the dark lord Lucifer. Using such clean, yet haunting vocals for a subject matter like this, is a high point for this record.
Each and every track fits perfectly in the record with no weak tracks whatsoever. Infestissumam as an album is absolutely flawless. Just like it's predecessor, this album is sure to end up on many people's list for top metal albums by the end of this year.
Rating: 95%
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