Ghost

Could it have been fate, irony, an alignment of the planets (there was a blood red moon this night)?, a cruel joke?, it was definitely something. Within twenty four hours, a more than creepy happenstance as the heaven’s holy Catholic Pope leaves New York City, the underworld’s Papa Emeritus III’s arrives to perform. Taking advantage of the success of their latest album “Meliora”, which debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 Chart, Ghost hit the road upon its release and played to a packed house at Terminal Five.

With a winning formula of heavy riffs merged with very melodic tuneful vocals and catchy hooks, the visuals of a lead singer dressed as an evil Pope, backed by mysterious “nameless” gouls, Ghost understandably have earned a large following regardless of their satanic lyrics. With your basic backdrop (of a church), some incents burning, cool blue and green lights, and intros ‘Miserere mei, Deus’ (Gregorio Allegri song) (Choir of New College Oxford and Edward Higginbottom), with Jocelyn Pook - Masked Ball, immediately establish a fitting mood.

‘Spirit’ and ‘From the Pinnacle to the Pit’ off “Meliora”, followed by ‘Ritual’ and ‘Con Clavi Con Dio’ (off the debut), create an upbeat surge of energy for the crowd to get into. The three well-dressed/demon masked ghouls would often come together center stage and jam, rockin out to the infectious riffs and grooves. Tasty equal parts of heavy riffery, guitar lead, plodding bottom end, and splashes of piano during ‘Cirice’ make for a staple live. Papa calmly walks around the stage, preaching the gospel according to the devil, has the crowd singing, chanting along. Songs from the “Infestissumam” album, more laid back and hippy trippy vibe switches up the vibes for ‘Ghuleh / Zombie Queen’ and ‘If You Have Ghosts’ is a complimenting dynamic, while ‘Per Aspera ad Inferi’ is carried by a repetitive beat/groove. Single ‘Year Zero’, off said album, celebrates all the infernal names; Belial, Behemoth, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Satanas, Lucifer. And speaking of celebrating Satan…’He Is’ is very Emerson, Lake & Palmer in its aesthetics, Ghost’s most tuneful melody, almost like a baby’s lullaby. ‘Absolution’ and ‘Mummy Dust’, readjusts the balance of power.

Overall, what Ghost create on album is recreated nicely live, and yes, with the understandable inclusion of those backing tapes for vocal harmonies (the ghouls masks have closed mouths). Looking forward to what Ghost do in the future.