Ghost- Opus Eponymous ALBUM REVIEW

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JGCSOUND's review: • Ghost - "Opus Eponymou...
Ghost's debut LP, Opus Eponymous, is finally getting released in the US after gaining a lot of buzz across the pond in Europe. These guys play a style of metal that buffet picks different sounds genre's roots. It sounds kinda retro without directly referencing one single band, and I think that's where the real success is. It's like they've been able to go back in time and hammer out a nice for themselves in what already seemed to be a crowded area.
The lyrics are very cultist and satanic, but still catchy. The slightly deadpan vocals only make the sound eerier--along with the sinister organ, of course.
Aside from some abrupt fades and endings, I don't have many complaints here. It could be a little longer, but the songs are still strong and mighty!
What do you think of this album? Love it? Hate it? What should I review next?
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FAV TRACKS: RITUAL, ELIZABETH, STAND BY HIM, GENESIS

[@Jericho437]

I 'm sure this band will rise up in popularity in the hard rock / metal scene

[@moesyzlak8631]

Well, this comment aged amazingly well. called it from the start!

[@AFellowCyberman]

They made their first hot 100 hit with Mary On A Cross!

[@batman_zzzzz6671]

this aged like wine

[@CorporalASH]

I hope you're still alive. Truly incredible prediction.

[@MissingElements]

@@AFellowCyberman banger song too btw, everyone's gotten sick of it thanks to tik tok but i been bumping this shit before and after the trend

[@Kottery]

Ghost very quickly became one of my favorite bands of all time. Papa's soft and smooth voice is incredibly fitting for what they're singing about. His singing voice is very similar to how Satan is described as having a smooth and very convincing voice, hence "silver tongued devil". Instead of harsh or screaming vocals about Satan, Papa Emeritus instead seems to "preach" in a fairly soft manner that could convince a person that "Hey, this Satan guy might not be so bad".

[@brandonkleiber1161]

Kottery The dark lord, well actually thinking why Lucifer the bearer of light is considered the dark one as well. Anyway, He is..... Very pleased with this comment as am I. Love ghost and I will be seeing them for the first time in July with IRON MAIDEN can't wait!

[@christophercrowley3036]

Kottery I agree completely I was hooked instantly theyre like dont fear the reaper mated with symphony of destruction and spawned the old ones bastard son lmao

[@christophercrowley3036]

Lucifer is the good guy if you look at him historically b4 he got demonized as a boogeyman for his trouble

[@mrchiefbs]

And they went along and ruined the vibe :(

[@6si6rh6C]

The album art reminds me of Scooby Doo

[@BadKarma722]

not a knock off. They have already told us that they are inspired by horror movies and they based their album covers off those movies

[@alfonsokabob4910]

Thers1 you were close! The new album’s cover was based on that

[@nl3064]

@Evan M. The word you're looking for is parody/homage/reference.

[@thesomething6229]

Some People Considered This Album, Scooby Doo Metal

[@Mohgenstein]

@@thesomething6229 LOL SCOOBY DOO METAL

[@MattSyversonthePaperbackRocker]

Melody. What a concept.

[@SolManDude]

too avant gard for me.

[@graphicgamer1013]

I particularly like the song Stand By Him

[@lucasstruna3962]

ritual and elizabeth

[@dahannes6739]

Stand by him and Elizabeth are my favorites

[@mj_dj]

LUCIFEEEEEEEEER WE ARE HEEEEEEERE

[@sanriodeppressionthermos8602]

**dunu nu dunu nu dunu nu nunununununu**

[@adamnystrom9101]

I like this comment

[@lardball976]

FOR YOUR PRAIIIISSSSEEEE EVIL ONEEEEEE

[@DarkAnubis]

@@lardball976 Our congregation sings eternal psalms

[@lardball976]

@@DarkAnubis and smear the smudge in bleeding palmssssss

[@theneedledrop]

@MSgtGRiM Don't understand how I'm pretentious. I've said in multiple videos that my opinion is only my opinion and nothing more. I don't think that because I like this album that it's objectively good--I also don't feel the opposite for albums I give negative reviews to. Where's the confusion? And yes, I use comedy in my videos to get my point across? So what? I'm not sure where @MSgtGRiM is having an issue. My reviews have never been solely informative. They've always solely been my opinion.

[@thatoneguyscousin27]

I got you melon

[@WASSUPcruz]

Its a 10 honestly

[@christophercrowley3036]

WASSUPcruz a 12 lol

[@EmeritusIV616]

thats true for me the best album that really describes dark doom satanic metal with amazing lirycs

[@theneedledrop]

@UniversalMind08 It's hard to make a balance of what I want and what you guys want because most of the time, those two worlds collide. Yes, there are albums that people ask for that I don't want to review but MOST of the time, what y'all are interested in is what I'm interested in. So sometimes I forget to talk about what I want since You guys are always a source of great stuff to listen to for me. :-)

[@Wndjxisjsici]

Perfect album.

[@theneedledrop]

I'm planning on doing a track review on the blog, possibly, but if I don't, the album will be reviewed. :-)

[@theneedledrop]

@Alman19955 Have you slain any vamps lately?

[@drewwagnon647]

my favorite song on here is con clavi con dio

[@christophercrowley3036]

Drew Wagnon it Prime Mover and Ritual are mine im not sure which I could say is #1 lol

[@TheShaitan2000]

Dat fat bassline is just... everything

[@antoniomoralesuriarte3711]

@@TheShaitan2000 Dat BASSLINE Though !!!

[@birajsingha9879]

Totally Gothic architecture 🔥

[@decevious]

Love this band..

[@theneedledrop]

@youthdrugfree It did, but I need to buy a lens to go with it. THE CAMERA DIDN'T COME WITH A LENS!!! wtf!?!?!?!?!? My GF helped me pick one out since she knows a lot more about cams than I do, and I'm gonna be buying it this week. After I get the lens, I'm gonna be wrestling with HOW to edit the video. I'm not sure if my PC is gonna be able to handle the load. Wish me luck. :-)

[@latinomint]

When I first listened through the album, I was allured by it's old school charm.This album just goes to show that you don't need ultra fast guitar riffs and machine-gun drums to be "metal." Also with the song writing and such, it tells a story, and I was very pleased with that because it made the album fun. Not many bands do that these days. The guitar solos went with the songs, rather than the song being built around it. All in all, it's one of my favorites.

[@Moribund_art]

Death Knell has a good mix of everything I love about the band.

[@theneedledrop]

@AwesomeA1010 I did review it last year, but it wasn't positive, heh. :-/

[@theneedledrop]

@MSgtGRiM Ah, I guess my comment was misdirected.

[@noneyabusiness6439]

me, watching this in 2021, 👁👄👁

[@newflesh666]

greetings from the future! I hope you're doing well today, hail satan

[@metallicafan11787]

I'm 25 but never was really into what my friends or anyone was into. Modern music. When they were at Warped Tour, i would go see Metallica or Motörhead. Ghost fills a void, and i'm thankful for them. They gave me hope for the future of music

[@joshuachadmorris5178]

Gave me my passion back for music and my guitar best band in years

[@theneedledrop]

@ratm239 Neither do I. Like I said, I think most people base that comparison on one single song, which is kinda ridiculous.

[@todorvladorovic1409]

Ghost is real rock and roll

[@theneedledrop]

@ImperviousMason Bwahahahhaha. Are you kidding me? I'm not one to publicly display my political views, but you couldn't be more wrong.

[@Eyrynomos]

9.5 /10 I wish it was over 35 minutes.The songwriting is excelent, the instruments and the voices are weaved together into a very balanced web, put out with a modest and intelligently minimal playing.Best debut I've ever heard for ages.I 've been hearing Opus Eponymous on repeat for days now.It's been a long time since I did this with an album. Every so-called heavy metal fan should give this album a chance.

[@antoniogino6512]

the that album cover is Salem's lot and the other album is Amadeus

[@theneedledrop]

@oldhacks thanks for commenting, man. :-) i hope you're doing well into 2011.

[@somberlight]

i've heard one their techs reference the band as satanic abba :D tho, in all fairness he then rofled almost literally

[@Iuxinterior]

I’m like addicted to this band I love the retro sound they have just because it’s like their own vibe not just stealing from a classic band

[@theneedledrop]

@grimfandangle It will be. I just haven't added it yet.

[@slartibartfast8787]

"If you're Simon Belmont, from the hit video game Castlevania, and you're about to enter a manor and this manor has 1000 vampires in it, this should be your soundtrack to slay them." Hahhahaha :D

[@TheMinakins]

i gotta give both ghost albums a heartfelt 10 after many listens... what little weaknesses there are on the albums are drowned out by amazingness. not a single song that puts me off and makes me want to skip it- every song, from beginning to end on each album, is genius in some way. this band is a breath of new life into a stale genre... by using something even more 'stale' from other genres... i can't say anything bad now that i've really truly listened to them like i have.

[@theneedledrop]

@MrDianWei Alright. Cya. :-) Have a nice day.

[@theneedledrop]

@keithwinsagain omg thx.

[@areydas5112]

I ADORE Ghost. I think this is is one of their best albums.

[@sharadmohip6536]

you can tell this guy is a musician who thinks about the music.... good review... however the voice of papa gives ghost thier unique song

[@jgunderman7149]

This album is right on. The riffs and vocals are on point.

[@enyafreak2007]

Now this is the kind of metal music I'm looking for! Ghost was a pleasent surprise for me, because not a lot of metal bands reprise the classic metal sound from the 70s, with more melodies and less screaming. Thank you so much for reviewing this Anthony, I think you should defininitely review whatever album you want next :-)

[@DenisFreeman2]

how his vocals arent strong, or aggressive in any way is what makes this band so interesting to me. and the fact that somehow its completely evil and satanic at the same time makes it even better. and seeing them live, its like no other band uve ever seen.

[@Danjoker.]

I've been diggin this album more and more lately, it's so good

[@LagginPotato]

The only songs I don't like on this album are Dues Culpa (which is obviously just filler), Death Knell (the only part I like is the evil sounding Slayer type riff in this middle), and Genesis (which isn't bad, but it's disappointing compared to the rest.) I just love how much this album sounds like a 70s/early 80s metal album with obvious Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, and even a little bit of The Beatles influence. It brought back what was so great about early metal. The two later albums don't live up to Opus, in my opinion. Infestissunam was WAY to pop like for me; although it did have about four good tracks. Meliora improved a little bit form Infestissunam, but it also only has like four good tracks. I hope their next album sounds more similar to Opus. I give this album a 9/10.

[@thiev__v5398]

I like all 3 albums because it all has a different sound which does give the Papa's some character in my opinion. They weren't afraid to try something different and that's what so honorable about it.

[@TFOCyborg]

Deus culpa is not a filler it's the introduction

[@TFOCyborg]

@@thiev__v5398 4*

[@sturebenke]

Haha Deus culpa (gods fault) is a swedish Christmas song about the birth of jesus called "Betlehems stjärna" played backwards👍🤘

[@greenghoul157]

Ghost are amazing, Opus goes hard, I love that unlike other metal singers Tobias has a very gentle voice

[@theneedledrop]

@ratm239 omg thx

[@gotbolsheviks]

I really respect your views on this album. Personally I have my reasons for rating it a solid nine, but it's nice to hear a metal review that actually applauds a band for straying from the norm, instead of the constant pandering to the ever so popular, "If I can understand the words it's not metal, if it's different, I don't want to hear it" type of viewpoint that is killing the metal genre. Kudos

[@Siniverisyys]

Good, honest review. I love this album. "Metal has lost some stuff that made it good..." hit the nail on the head for me. Death Breath is another retro-band I enjoy. It's retro death metal -- and brings me back to when I actually enjoyed death metal. Noisy without being a wall-of-noise.

[@theneedledrop]

@130leviatan yes

[@barrelroll_poopoopeepee]

I love Prime Mover specifically, definitely the best song on the album.

[@christophercrowley3036]

Barrel Roll / DoomGuy500 my favorite also and I love hiw it's about the birth of the father in the flesh Ave Lucifer

[@carlosgodinez6132]

Definitely my favorite song by Ghost.

[@user-ys2mh5tz7v]

Prime mover rules! Finally found someone who likes this song as I do

[@NatAnn64]

Ah, I miss all that running around outside.... Avatar's Feathers and Flesh, please. They also use their face paint to full effect.

[@jnix38]

The album is finished. They may add another track and do a little more editing but the next album is set to come out around Halloween.

[@WolfgangVonPoserkila]

Cool review. The band get shit because they appear scene but the music is executed well. It really sounds like it could be a remastered NWOBHM record.

[@adrian645]

After seeing this band live last night, i can say the vocals are really strong. The vocals filled the room.

[@jrez8225]

nice review, man. I just discovered these guys (here on youtube) and I was pretty impressed with this album. For me it's all about the music being made, and it's a breath of fresh air. The Satanic lyrics don't bother me much. They're just words to me that I don't take seriously.

[@brendanb4357]

Strong 9! I Fucking LOVE Ghost, they remained me of Black Sabbath mixed with Opeth and then some BOC thrown in. You should review INFESTISSUMAM, PLEASE (if you already haven't)

[@GizmoFan1]

Brendan B He's reviewed it. Not amazing score.

[@christophercrowley3036]

Brendan B I say its an 11 but I completely agree with you

[@Wifgargfhaurh]

That thumbnail is preserved in time

[@MyEggIsBoiled]

I like that you take suggestions, but I think you really do your finest work when you really aim to review what you desire :)

[@acdcman00]

i think they found their inspiration for the album cover art in the movie poster of "Salem's lot " the 1979 movie

[@calderabanuet]

Agree, yet I could go beyond your review by saying the value of this kind of releases today is that they reconnect metal to its very roots, most of the times in spite of metalheads. For me, a huge fan of the old seventies' sound, this is one of the best releases from last two years.

[@theneedledrop]

@mariano26788 Apology accepted.

[@milkmyshak3]

Funny enough when I first listened to one of their songs on this album AND looking at this album cover I was also thinking of castlevania. I love it.

[@fetlix]

id give this album a 10, and the Live performance, a 12! this is the best band ive ever seen live, trust me! the lights, the harmony, they even use incense on stage! they are amazing, everyone goes into some wierd but Nice trance when these guy's play.

[@haryyhhc]

I stumbled on to this band about a month ago and can't stop listening to them. It is the exact retro sound I have been looking for. Great review!

[@Barytyrannus]

Happy 10th to what is arguably the most important album of my entire life. Sorry I was two days late lmao

[@DieHumanless]

I think the vocals are great, but I strongly agree that the fading at the end of some songs was a dire error. Both "Death Knell" and "Con Clavi"would be so much better if each song were longer. It seems they know it was an error as the live versions of the songs are longer. The harpsicord outro on "Death Knell" goes on for at least a minute in live versions. If the album had at least one more song and had less fades, it would be a 10, but as is its a solid 9. Fantastic debut album.

[@leopardsbasketball]

This guy knows his shit when it comes to music, musicianship, musical anthropology, and culture. He doesn't ever say flat out "it sucks/it rules" every critique is objective measurable, and relevant. We need more of this in metal. David Bowie ftw haha

[@ferox965]

this is catchy as hell. as far as retro goes...it's not overly clean which works. doesn't sound like it's been polished like most hard rock or metal recordings. to all those worried whether it's real, just go looking for their true identities...it's a gimmick-like KISS in the 70s-they weren't supposed to be seen. same thing here...all part of the fun of rock n roll. songs and melody are king here...songs stay in your head

[@Daemeon93]

This album was a relief from the rest of the Hardcore/screamo albums. It's laid back, yet creepy and dark. It really has that classic metal feel to it, which is good because IMO the screamo genre of today has been brutally overkilled and overdone. It's good to have change, and even better to have good change like this album was. 8.5/10

[@DavidEitle]

I miss the vibe of TND's earlier reviews.

[@thevashfan12392]

my lust and hunger for them is ever growing! can't wait for later this week! that is when i finally can feast again upon their music! it's so good!

[@CandidCarl]

The comments claiming Anthony is pretentious have me scratching my head. Frankly, I wonder if you people claiming he's pretentious actually know what the word means. He's a fairly articulate guy with a pleasant demeanor. Thanks for another review!

[@theneedledrop]

@TheHardworlder It's true.

[@MrBillybrown66]

This has gotten to be one of my favorites over the last few weeks and your review was spot-on.

[@Nortatem]

Awesome review. I agree. Not enough bands go back and resurrect the sounds of dead metal. My problem with what passes for metal these days is that it seems to take not the extremes of a band but takes the worst elements of a band and that bands influences and distills it down. There are so many bands Beyound Sabbath and Zeppelin and Purple to set a foundation upon. Uriah heep, UFO, BOC,BOA, Wicked lady, Black Widow, Wishbone Ash, King Crimson etc, We need more bands like ghost to reinvent metal

[@Gerd0]

Just saw them live with Opeth last night. Blew my mind! I immediately bought their album and it's amazing!

[@asdfqwerty212]

I grew up on my folks' BOC albums. I love the sound and I am psyched that it's back and someone is doing something kick-ass with it. Subscribed -- very good work, sir.

[@Spindles15]

I'm glad you mentioned Simon Belmont! These guys totally seem like they could be in a Castlevania soundtrack.

[@azneck1]

This album is breath of fresh air. The Satan thing is a bit played out, but the band is tight. Track 4 could have easily been played by early Mercyful Fate. You can imagine what King Diamond would've done with vocals.

[@Megadeth6]

Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. Oh and I'd love to one day or another see your top albums ever, not just of a specific year :3

[@xxdanxexx]

It instantly jumped to the top of a lot of peoples "Best of 2010" lists when it came out. An absolute genius release, but using it as their debut? Very tough to follow up.

[@samhainkid]

there seems to be a new trend in the metal underground of bands going back to earlier, simpler sounds. instead of trying to out-brutalize each other like every other damn new kid metal band, this album is like a breath of fresh air. it's unabashedly old school heavy occult rock. and i think we need this change. how many freakin' Whitechapel type bands do we need these days? also check out The Devil's Blood, and the Hammers of Misfortune for some more cool older sounds.

[@sandraiga4729]

Papa is my daddy

[@thelokifiles]

They are meant to sound old, ask papa nhil.

[@Kubiak04]

RQ: Cosmogramma (Alternative Takes) has a track on it: Melting3 is like something I've never heard before. FlyLo still proving his genius

[@TACTICALSTRIKEMEDIA]

AWESOME REVIEW !! love ghost but gotta say , first review of yours/this guys iv heard and its good to see somebody who actually has a bit of knowledge in music and not somebody just spouting off about an album sucking or kicking ass.

[@ScarTrek]

@BlackxJesus it's the album "Skullgrid" by the band "Behold... The Arctopus"

[@Keiichichanisback]

LMAOOOOOOO!! the castlevania analogy is one of the greatest quotes in all of youtube, anthony!

[@OldManDoom]

My all time favorite record. 2011 was just a great year for music for me. They just couldn’t catch this lightning bolt again. Yeah they got the fame, they got the money, but Opus Eponymous was never going to be touched again. The sound of Eponymous is timeless. But then again, it was like finding this amazing band that no one either knew about or couldn’t believe and then you were never going to get that band again. It was lightning in a bottle, and then it was over. They are now the darlings of the plebs and hipsters. Still have my old school gear that came with my CD order. That stuff will never leave my t-shirt rotation

[@TTSWINC]

Review - Light Bearer and their album "Lapsus". Possibly the best post-metal band I've heard in ages.

[@GEORGETHOMAS2001]

How come this wasn't on the year end list? Did it grow off him that much?

[@TheAidanFitzsimons]

Ok, being a rhythm guitarist, I do agree that this album has some good riffs. But being a catholic, this album was extremely hard for me to actually listen to. But I do think you did a good job with this review. You should review the slipknot album All Hope Is Gone!

[@dylanc6276]

Best album ever made!!! Ave Satanas!!! Hail Satan!!!!!!!!!

[@christophercrowley3036]

Dylan C Ave Lucifer brother!!

[@CajonDS]

@Zas379 Actually, "Beezelbub" is a demon, a minion of Lucifer, Beezelbub was formerly the highest ranking angel in heaven before Lucifer's "fall"

[@jyostar5227]

What you said about the clean vocals is so true. I was expecting screaming but the vocals were really soft. I they remind me of black sabbath

[@jnix38]

Ghost is a breath of fresh air in a world of metal that is just suffocating at the moment. The best bands that are out right now are more progressive. We've had our fill of Trivium, All That Remains, Killswitch Engage and many others. The extreme metalcore bands like Whitechapel bear no broad appeal. Music right now is quite poor all around, not just in metal. But Ghost delivered a solid first album that is quite listenable and accessible. However, we know nothing of what the new album holds.

[@ToWhateverEnd55]

Keep making awesome reviews, you're the best! Keep reviewing metal albums! And review the Chariot - Long Live! Ima comment on every one of your videos until you review it :)

[@CCresante]

Gave this a listen today and it seems very Mercyful Fate-esque without the falsetto vocals. The riffs and solos were good and solid and the organ behind it all gave it a nice creepy overtone. The only thing I have to warm up to is the vocals.

[@imdaltino]

at least two reviews you do every week should be of your own choosing, i feel. reviewing for the people is cool, but i'd like to see more of what music you would like to share.

[@eliasblasto]

Arctuple thumbs up for the Behold... The Arctopus shout out. Awesomest dudes in metal. Even more polite than they are shreddy.

[@KarltonFranz]

The Castlevania remark is quite appropriate

[@careylynch]

I am not a metaldrop by any means, but I just checked out one song and I'm digging this sound.

[@mtxrawkus]

Great review. I really like to hear someone that appreciates why Ghost is a good band to check out, if only because they're interesting and have some skillful composition and oddly catchy lyrics.