(Loma Vista)
Satanized? More like Sanitized. Ghost lives up to their name on album #6 as they celebrate the ghosts of the past. Papa V Perpetua seems to have a hankering for ‘80s radio rock as Skeletá is basically Survivor for Satanists. By the time the last note plays, you’ll think this was a Frontiers Records release.
The production is impeccable; Ghost gets the most out of their sound with lush guitars, a deep bottom-end, bright synth work, and harmonized vocals.
After the choral introduction to “Peacefield”, it’s apparent someone has been blasting the classic Journey record Frontiers. It’s AOR Ghost and it continues on the best Skeletá has to offer – “Lachryma”. This sucker would have stormed the charts in ’89. Would have had the same impact as Alice Cooper’s “Poison” did. I’m sure Tobias Sammet is kicking himself for not writing this song. Catchy with a slightly meaner riff and brilliant chorus.
The momentum continues with “Satanized” being a smooth, synth rocker and immediate chorus. “Guiding Lights” is a dark power ballad with accenting acoustic notes that lifts it to another level. “De Profundis Borealis” warmly begins with melodic, stylish guitars that segues to a marching rhythm with commanding vocals.
The second half is where the bones become brittle. AOR Ghost can only entertain for so long and its downfall comes with half-baked ideas and phoned-in lyrics. The lyrics to “Missilia Amori” are ridiculous with its “love rockets” chorus. This is something Steel Panther or The Darkness could pull off, but this ‘80s cock rock song is bottom of the barrel slop.
“Cenotaph” chimes in with sprinkling synths and a Sabbath-inspired rumble that has a joyful (!) tone to it. “Marks Of The Evil One” is a an insipid synth rocker before action perks up in “Umbra” – a cross between Van Hagar and Deep Purple improvisation. The lyrics are again completely dialed in, but the musicality saves it from stinker status.
“Excelsis” is the closing ballad and it is just kind of there. Nothing exciting. There was always this underlying, enticing aspect of mysteriousness and evilness to Ghost that is now desperately missing. The man behind the mask Tobias Forge usually methodically balances the cheekiness, religious mockery, and seriousness of his lyrics, but he dropped the ball this time around.
Skeletá is nowhere near as clever as past offerings. Papa V Perpetua has to work more on his gospels and on a musical level, AOR Ghost is intriguing on paper, but Skeletá needs more meat on them bones.
Rating: 5.5
Source: bravewords.com
