Ghost - Prequelle (album review) ★★★☆☆

If there’s one metal band going fast in metalland, then it is without any doubt the Swedish collective Ghost. When I started to follow Ghost after their first album ‘Opus Eponymous’ (2010), I knew these guys created something new what could become big, bigger, biggest. Not only their music and sound, but especially the mysterious vibe, experience and extreme professional attitude. Now eight years later Cardinal Copia and his Nameless Ghouls play headline shows all around the world and released their fourth album ‘Prequelle’ on June 1st. It’s the successor of their latest album ‘Melloria’ and I really looked forward to discover this new episode.

From the first second it’s clear that I’m listening to Ghost, because of the sinister intro including the typical church organ. The first song ‘Rats’ kicks in and a smile appears upon my face. The creepy lyrics, the catchy tunes and the typical sound. I just love it! The first three songs are so to say old school Ghost anthems as I like it. When ‘See The Light’ is next, and basically all the songs after it, an unpleasant feeling and some negative thoughts about a band I like very much, are entering my mind. I don’t want it, but it happens.

Ghost – Rats

The songs are to soft, poppy and eighties focused, that the word metal is not relevant anymore. It’s just to weak. And that’s very pity, because the compositions, variety and catchy melodies are awesome and acting on a very high level. If they managed to add some heavy guitars or whatever to it, the music was more accepted by me and a lot of other metal fans. So basically my metal heart says no to ‘Prequelle’, but my music heart says yes in a certain way. It’s not the album I hoped for and it certainly doesn’t beat their previous albums. Hopefully the songs are played live a little bit heavier, but for now I’m looking forward to their fifth album.

Score: 7.3/10 ★★★☆☆

Tracklist
01. Ashes
02. Rats
03. Faith
04. See the Light
05. Miasma
06. Dance Macabre
07. Pro Memoria
08. Witch Image
09. Helvetesfönster
10. Life Eternal