EP Review: Ghost ‘Popestar’
Swedish metal outfit Ghost have just dropped their latest musical offering, EP ‘Popestar’. The 5-track EP contains a new original song from the group called Square Hammer, as well as four covers which range from I Believe by Simian Mobile Disco to Missionary Man by the Eurythmics.
Since their inception in 2008 Ghost have quickly gathered attention, for both their menacing stage presence and costumes as well as their music. Their most recent album ‘Meliora’ debuted at #8 on the Billboard’s Hottest 200 Album chart, with lead single Cirice earning the group a Grammy for best metal performance.
The first track and only original piece of music on ‘Popestar’ is Square Hammer. While stylistically very similar to Ghost’s previous work, the track manages to incorporate some new but very welcome musical elements not present in previous songs, namely synthesisers! Rather than being a cheesy addition, the synths are seamlessly incorporated into Ghosts established sound.
“Ghost have built layers of synth, group vocals, and drums up to craft a much more mellow and haunting version of the song.”
The song begins with an infectiously catchy synth hook laid over some basic drums, before launching into the Black Sabbath-esque main riff. The groove-laden guitar riffs, huge drums, and artfully utilised synth all combine to create a bold new song, leaving the audience excited for more new original work from the Swedish group.
Nocturnal Me, a cover of the English rock band Echo & the Bunny Men starts with some eerie riffing and ominous and repetitive drums. This track again incorporates synth, although this time used as a backing instrument adding layers and depth to the track. The rolling rhythm of the song is fairly catchy, and makes for some easy listening. Despite the musical prowess displayed on the song, the song itself does not particularly stand out. However, rather than reflecting a lack of talent on the band’s part it merely lies in their choice of song.
I Believe is easily one of the standout tracks on the EP. Originally produced by British electronic duo Simian Mobile Disco, the track is definitely a curveball from the metalheads. Despite the obvious difficulty in a metal band covering an electronic act’s song, Ghost have managed to do this with finesse. Using the haunting synth that’s been interwoven through the EP as a basis for the song, Ghost have built layers of synth, group vocals, and drums up to craft a much more mellow and haunting version of the song. Overall, the song is as a welcome break from the doom-metal influenced riffing of the previous songs.
“With some creative re-vamping of some tracks and tight instrumentation throughout, from a musical standpoint the EP is well done.”
Missionary Man is also a tasty little surprise! Ghost have taken the 80’s pop sounds of the Eurythmic’s and crafted it into a powerful rock song. While not radically changing anything about the song from a musical standpoint, this cover is another stand out on the EP due to how well the original song converts into a heavier form.
The closing track Bible is a bit of a let down to be honest. Rather than a strong and convincing end to the EP, Bible meanders to a hesitant stop. Clocking in at approximately six and a half minutes, the meandering and long-winded track seems to lack any attention grabbing or memorable parts, unlike the other tracks on the EP.
Overall, ‘Popestar’ is an ambitious EP. Square Hammer is a strong opening track and an exciting taste of where Ghost might take their next album in a stylistic sense. However, the rest of the EP is a bit hit and miss. With some creative re-vamping of some tracks and tight instrumentation throughout, from a musical standpoint the EP is well done.
However what let Ghost down in some parts was their choice of songs, which overall interrupted the flow of the EP. All in all, this EP is definitely worth a listen if only to hear a cover of the Eurythmics that isn’t Marilyn Manson’s version of Sweet Dreams!
