Mid-Week Review: "Meliora" by Ghost

The third week of August played host to many new hard rock/heavy metal releases. This week's review will be focusing on Disturbed's "Immortalized", Ghost's "Meliora" and Act of Defiance's "Birth and the Burial". Each album will be judged track-by-track, with a total average score being presented in the end. Here is review 2 of 3...

MELIORA

by GHOST (GHOST B.C)

1. SPIRIT

What do you get when you chuck a psychedalic theremin before a funky 1960s-esque riff? Some of the catchiest rock tunes ever! Papa Emeritus III really brings this album opener to life with his serene and soothing voice whilst the Nameless Ghouls deliver classic riffing and epic musical punches throughout the song. I've never been a fan of Ghost, but so far, I'm regretting ever saying that. This band is like no other!

Lyrics: 4/5
Musicality: 5/5
Originality: 5/5

2. FROM THE PINNACLE TO THE PIT

Here we go again! Catchy 1960s-style riffs, beautiful vocals, engaging lyrics, this album is on to a good roll here! My only hope is that there is some variation in the instrumental work in subsequent tracks. Just as I say that, I am greeted to a lovely guitar solo that fits the band and the track perfectly, hats off to you Mister...uhhh...Ghoul?

Lyrics: 4/5

Musicality: 5/5
Originality: 5/5

3. CIRICE

Look, I never learnt how to pronounce this title, nor will I try to now. I remember this track being released as a single prior to Meliora's release, but I wanted to save my judgement for the whole album. Needless to say, the wait is so worth it! Unique from the first two tracks, Cirice delivers a darker, somewhat heavier card to the table that is Meliora, and I'm loving it! I'm really trying to find faults in this song, but alas, they just don't exist.

Lyrics: 5/5
Musicality: 5/5
Originality: 5/5 

4. SPOKSONAT

Definitely the interlude in this album, Spoksonat is a soothing stringed solo piece that exentuates the creepy, yet beautiful nature of the beast that is Ghost BC 

Lyrics: N/A

Musicality: 5/5
Originality: 5/5

5. HE IS

If there was ever a song to remind of how beautiful hard rock can become, it's this. He Is shines through in this album as the reminder that no matter how beautiful the music is now, everything can come crashing down in the blink of an eye.

Lyrics: 5/5

Musicality: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

6. MUMMY DUST

Holy hell, this is one creepy tune! The Ghouls definitely did a number on the diminished scale here, with eerie chords and melodies coming at your from every direction! The keyboard solo just adds more freakiness to the already established freakshow that is Mummy Dust, all while Papa Emeritus III whispers those horror-filled lyrics into your ears. Don't try to sleep to this tune!

Lyrics: 5/5
Musicality: 5/5
Originality: 5/5

7. MAJESTY

Depsite the immense acclaim I've been giving this album so far, I'm struggling to find any real strong points in Majesty, but that does not mean I find this song bad by any standard. Majesty delivers the same way Ghost BC delivers the majority of their songs, which in reference to my comments on From the Pinnacle to the Pit, was what I hoped would not be the case. Still, awesome song!

Lyrics: 4/4
Musicality: 4/4

Originality: 3/5

8. DEVIL CHURCH

The second, and final interlude in Meliora, this track delivers, in one minute, an amalgamation of uplifting choir melodies, doom-filled organ chords and powerful rhythmic sections from the band, all leading to Meliora's final few tracks.

Lyrics: N/A
Musicality: 5/5
Originality: 5/5

9. ABSOLUTION

And then, just as Devil Church fades away, the smattering of guitars, the pounding of drums...Absolution begins. This song is powerful, in both physical musicality and lyrical depth. Definitely my favourite track from Meliora, Papa Emeritus III and the Nameless Ghouls are closing this album off in grand style with what is their greatest track and what is making me regret ever stating my dislike for Ghost BC

Lyrics: 5/5
Musicality: 5/5
Originality: 5/5

10. DEUS IN ABSENTIA

Like Ghost BC's music in general, Meliora closes on a very unique note. What can be comapred to a circus from hell, Deus in Absentia delivers a 5 minute summary of what Ghost BC is all about; beautiful melodies, catchy riffage and the ever creepy theme which is so magnificently delivered by Papa Emeritus III and the Nameless Ghouls. I could not think of any better way for this album to finish.

Lyrics: 4/5
Musicality: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

FINAL THOUGHT

Oh boy do I feel foolish! Here I was, disregarding Ghost BC as a nostalgic pop rock band with pretty makeup, only to have my biased point of view crushed beneath the perfection that is Meliora! I'm so stoked that this album came into my life, and I hope many of you will pick this album up when I say that you MUST listen to this, in it's entirety...

GHOST BC, YOU HAVE CREATED A MASTERPIECE!

VERDICT

Lyrics: 36/40

Musicality: 47/50

Originality: 47/50

TOTAL: 93% - HIGH DISTINCTION 

A masterpiece of modern hard rock and heavy metal!