GHOST
Popestar EP
Spinefarm (2016)
Rating: 7.5/10
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There may come a time in the not too distant future when Sweden’s Ghost may be considered a tad too tepid to feature in Metal Forces.
Originally, it was the ghoulish costumes and eerie mix of Blue Öyster Cult and Mercyful Fate / King Diamond which seemed to draw the attention. With each passing release however, I’ve become less and less thrilled; unwilling to really take part in the Halloween festivities, and also finding myself rather tired of the music which I actually find rather predictable at times. And so with Popestar, we have something a tad different; a five-track EP featuring four cover songs and one newbie in the form of ‘Square Hammer’.
For me, ‘Square Hammer’ is a rather predictable late 60s / early 70s-style garage-a-go-go fest featuring spicy organ and the usual dramatics we’ve come to expect from this team of nameless fiends. As usual, there’s nothing weighty about the track; Ghost are a crew happy to float rather harmlessly into our psyche while their garments suggest something more sinister, and yet I just can’t fall for it. Nevertheless, ‘Square Hammer’ is a nicely gothed-up light-rock tune which is infectious all the same.
Next up, we get the first of the covers. ‘Nocturnal Me’ – originally recorded by British goth rock’s Echo & The Bunnymen – is a half-decent foray which brings extra weight, but necessary sincerity to the original. For me, Papa Emeritus III lacks the genuine, rainy menace of Ian McCulloch but it’s still a joyous little dark ramble that fits well into Ghost’s fiendish groove, and yet a mystery trip back to 1984 it most certainly isn’t. Hopefully though, it will bring the Bunnymen some new fans.
Next up, we have ‘I Believe’, a strange choice considering the original – recorded by Simian Mobile Disco – emerged in 2007, but again it works with that surreal introduction of trickling plucks and those haunting yet simplistic vocal floats. It doesn’t stray too far away from the original which naturally has a dance groove to it, but both tracks are rather serene and peaceful.
The track I was most dreading was Eurythmics’ ‘Missionary Man’ from 1986, however, but Ghost add an extra trudge – even if I was expecting Papa to break into strains of Cameo’s ‘Word Up’!
The Swedes stay in the 80s with a cover of ‘Bible’ from fellow countrymen Imperiet; the original being a slow-building, U2-esque soulful, if rather mournful, ballad. Ghost stay rather true to this tune, not once giving in to the lure of the sinister, but in turn this makes me wonder if Ghost may eventually give in to all-out commercialism in their quest for world domination. After all, for how much longer can they go on churning out lukewarm horror rock?
Popestar actually makes a nice break from the norm and showcases the diversity of the band, but those expecting another trip into ghoulish avenues may be disappointed. There’s no denying their talent, and this EP provides an entertaining stop-gap until the next album.
Neil Arnold
