PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Ghost is back with a brand new album, and, in short, it’s really fucking good. The LP, titled Prequelle, marks the Swedish band’s fourth release and their first full-length production since 2015’s Grammy-winning Meliora. Acclaim and notoriety were firmly within the grasp of the outfit upon the release of that record, so, logically, the band would stay in tune with the sound that made them successful, right? Wrong.
With different musicians joining the Ghost team and frontman Tobias Forge adopting a new personality, Cardinal Copia, Prequelle finds the band fusing their theatrical, doom metal and hard rock sound with an ’80s aesthetic, resulting in not only their best record to date, but one that exceeds even the work of their classic influences.
It’s evidenced from the opening seconds of introduction track “Ashes” that Forge’s love for theater would remain as prominent on album four as it has been since day one. Beginning with an ominous spin on “Ring Around the Rosie,” the opening track rides an unsettling creepiness and sinister synthetic as it flows straight into “Rats,” the album’s lead single.
Forge has recently gone on record about the themes of Prequelle, stating that The Black Death was a big inspiration in the lyrical content of the album, which is pretty obvious after listening to “Rats'” four-plus minute runtime. One of the more uptempo songs of the compilation, this song oozes an ’80s vibe instrumentally, all while Cardinal Copia darkens the tone with lyrics such as, “Them filthy rodents are still coming for your souls.” Copia buckles down on the doom as the track comes to a close, warning listeners that “there’s nothing you can do” to escape the hell that will be brought down upon you by the titular creatures, who also serve as a metaphor for the toxic people in our lives.
“Faith,” the album’s third track, proves to be the heaviest on the record. The dark, heavy guitar riffs of Ghost are on full display as the song holds a mirror to both God and Satan, who allow widespread death to sweep throughout the world. Don’t be surprised if this is the next single released from the album as it provides a tonal shift from current singles “Rats” and “Dance Macabre.” Next up on Prequelle is “See the Light,” which sounds as though it was lifted straight from an arena rock catalogue. Alternating between typical darkness and an underhanded optimism, the track grows on you more with each listen.
The fifth song on the album, “Miasma,” is an instrumental track that combines heavier, atmospheric riffs, a standout bass line, and a theatrical synthetic sound, making for an experience that blends the type of music Ghost is known for with that of their new album, which will forever preserve their name among the greats. And there’s saxophone, so fuck, yeah.
“Dance Macabre,” Prequelle‘s second single, follows the instrumental number… and it’s pure ’80s bliss. Boasting what is, by far, the most upbeat tempo in all of Ghost’s discography, the track features a chorus that is destined for crossover mainstream success. With lyrics about living and loving in the face of imminent death, “Dance Macabre” finds a sliver of light to shine through the darkness. Following this catchy tune is “Pro Memoria,” which, musically, could not be any different than the song that came before. This one embraces the certainty of death, urging listeners to make their peace with it and live their lives to the fullest extent while they have a chance. There’s no point in fretting about something we’ll never change, after all. One of the standout tracks on Prequelle, “Pro Memoria,” finds a perfect balance between darkness and light. Try not to fall in love with the piano. I dare you.
Next up on the track list are “Witch Image,” an arena rock banger through and through, from it’s hooky opening riff and killer bass line (the best on the album) to it’s soaring chorus, and “Helvetesfönster,” the second instrumental, which takes cues from other songs throughout Prequelle and pulls them together for nearly six minutes of atmospheric, death-defying theater rock that captures the many tones that make this album so incredibly special.
Like most things in life, Ghost saves the best for last with “Life Eternal.” Rounding out the record in hauntingly beautiful fashion, this track exudes a sound that is reminiscent of Blue Oyster Cult, while, thematically, matching that band’s iconic song, “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” The emphasized lyric, “This is the moment of just letting go,” overcomes the listener with a sense of peace that is far greater than any fear we’ve ever had of death. It’s inevitable, as Prequelle is keen to point out, that we’re all going to die. But “Life Eternal,” in a way that only Ghost can, allows us to be okay with that. It’s the defining song on a masterful album that will etch the band in our minds… forever.
Coming in at just under 42-minutes, there’s no logical reason why you should deny yourself the immersive experience that is Prequelle. In their fourth LP, Ghost continues to push the boundaries of their theatrics, taking the band to new heights and leaving listeners with an album that we’ll be sinking our teeth into for many years to come. It’s a masterpiece.
