Review
"It's musically smart in the way that metal should be spooky, evil, with just a dash of 'do you think these guys are serious?' Even if Ghost weren't espousing the glories of a certain dark lord, the songs would still hold up beautifully, which should be an indication of how strong OPUS EPONYMOUS is." --Metal-Rules.com

"Ritual is one of the best classic metal songs in recent memory...This is must-have stuff, essential for those who have long worshipped at the altar of classic Mercyful Fate." --Blistering.com

"Live, they're a striking sight: five robed, hooded, anonymous musicians churning away, the similarly nameless, face-painted singer garishly adorned in vestments and miter, clutching a chain thurible filled with burning incense. He's a beelzebubian bishop, a pagan pontiff. It might look corny, but there's no wink, no sense of irony. Rather than trying to look evil, his face is dead serious. He has stuff to say, and he means every word." --PopMatters.com

Product Description
Outstanding debut album from "occult rock" newcomers GHOST. GHOST is the name of a devil worshipping ministry, that in order to spread their unholy gospels and, furthermore, trick mankind into believing that the end is ultimately a good thing, have decided to use the ever so popular rock music medium as a way to achieve their ends. Standing motionless and anonymous beneath the painted faces, hoods and robes which their sect demand, the six nameless ghouls of GHOST deliver litanies of sexually pulsating heavy rock music and romantic lyrics, that glorify and glamorise the disgusting and sacrilegious, with the simple intention to communicate a message via the most effective device they can find - entertainment. Specific attention will be paid to targeting people (research suggests these are most likely to be adolescents) who have a void in their life, perhaps caused by some form of emotional trauma or upset, that can be filled by the music and philosophies of GHOST. In time, these easily manipulated children will come to share the views and goals of the GHOST sect and can prepare their own plans for the downfall of humanity....

1. Deus Culpa
2. Con Clavi Con Dio
3. Ritual
4. Elizabeth
5. Stand By Him
6. Satan Prayer
7. Death Knell
8. Prime Mover
9. Genesis

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EJUMT2/?tag=imwan-20

OK-just found out about these guys-they're from Sweden and they're certainly spooky. And talented. I did not know what to expect but I certainly didn't expect such clean and impressive vocals. There's a little King Diamond-type histrionics, but it's mostly a very Blue Oyster Cult sounding vocal and musical approach. All the reviews pick up on that too. Amazing.
I also hear some Deep Purple/Uriah Heep/Mercyful Fate and Black Sabbath. I dig what I've heard and I'm going to pick it up. They were lots of ghoulish outfits live which adds to the whole "are they really devil worshippers?" thing. Remember, people thought the same about Sabbath and Alice Cooper, et al.
That's the one thing here-supposedly the lyrics are very Santanic. I don't care if they sign about the Deviled Ham guy if it's musically cool and the lyrics add to the creepiness, I'm not going to take it seriously. Anyway, hopefully some people give this a chance. I'm not 100% sure I'm going to like it but I really like the clips on Amazon and man, does the track "Elizabeth" sound like early 80's BOC!
If anyone else delves into this please post your thoughts!

Here's the studio version of "Ritual" which really has some BOC elements.



And a live version of "Ritual".



And here's a very cool song from the album called "Genesis" where they get their Deep Purple/Uriah Heep groove on.





I think the reason there' such a buzz about these guys is obviously the whole "are they really evil" thing and the visuals. Then there's the fact that for a Swedish Black Metal band they sound very American AND theyr are very melodic for this type of music. In other words, Venom they ain't.
Are they corny just a bit? Yes, but it's all in good theatrical fun.

No Philly date-Pittsburgh is not close enough-oh well.

Ghost will be hitting the road this fall for their very first North American tour that will also include Enslaved and Alcest.
Ghost cult leader "The Ghoul with No Name" (who takes the stage in the form of "a satanic pope") and his anonymous ghouls will launch the three week trek on September 23 in Springfield, VA.

Ghost will be touring in support of its debut album Opus Eponymous, which was released internationally last Rocktober and stateside in January.

The itinerary for the Ghost / Enslaved / Alcest fall North American tour is shaping up as follows:

September 23 Springfield, VA Jaxx
September 24 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Small's Theatre
September 25 New York, NY Gramercy Theatre
September 26 Boston, MA Middle East (downstairs)
September 28 Quebec City, QC Imperial de Quebec
September 29 Montreal, QC Café Campus
September 30 Toronto, ON Opera House
October 1 Columbus, OH Outland Live
October 2 Chicago, IL The Bottom Lounge
October 3 St. Paul, MN Station 4
October 5 Winnipeg, MB West End Cultural Centre
October 6 Regina, SK The Exchange
October 7 Edmonton, AB The Starlite Room
October 8 Calgary, AB Dickens Pub
October 10 Vancouver, BC Rickshaw Theatre
October 11 Seattle, WA El Corazon
October 12 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre
October 13 San Francisco, CA Slim's
October 14 Hollywood, CA The Troubadour