The fourth studio album produced by the band Ghost, and the first one where we knew that the lead singer was Tobias Forge, due to a lawsuit he was presently in with some of the nameless ghouls he toured with previously.
The album focuses on a theme of momento mori - a movement that is obsessed with death and reminding the viewers that someday, you too shall die. Personally, this is one of my favorite art movements. A lot of this album takes inspiration from the Renaissance era version of it as it often refers back to plagues. After all, the movement was primarily a response to the black plague as many folks had a grim reminder that no one was immune to death, so why run from it?
To draw upon the band's lore (which does exist, there is a story going on with all the Papas and the characters off to the side of the stage), it makes sense. The now leader of the band, Cardinal Copia, rose because the previous papas were all killed off by Papa Nihil and Sister Imperator's orders. That would be a stark reminder that no one within the Church of Ghost is safe.
The track list is as follows:
Deluxe editions included the two tracks:
This was the album that initally got me into Ghost. I adore momento mori works and so this was right at home with me. I can't exactly say there are any tracks on this album that I'd skip. It really struck a chord with me!
Of course, when we're talking about Ghost, there are two responses - either you meet someone who likes or is at least lukewarm to the band and they're happy to talk about it with you, or they'll immediately begin the arguement as to whether or not Ghost is really metal. For this album, I have a hard time placing it with a lot of modern metal, that much is true. But I have a hard time not thinking about hair metal bands like Poison and Twisted Sister instead. Plus - does all metal really need the same heavy down tuned guitars (Ghost uses D Standard tuning for their guitars but shh) and distorted vocals to be metal? On top of that, do they even need to be metal to be fun?
In short, this is one of my all time favorite albums and I recommend it to a lot of folks who show any curiosity towards Ghost. If you haven't tried it yet, please! Go enjoy! Listen to Prequelle for the first time for me! Let me know what you think!
It's not one of the single tracks on the album, instead it's a deep cut. I like the almost discordant tones used on the keyboard during this song, it gives it a really cool spooky kind of sound, but what really made this song stand out for me is the lyrics:
While you sleep in earthly delight
Someone's flesh is rotting tonight
Like what! That rules! It's been revolving in my brain for years! I love it so much!
An over all must-listen to to understand my tastes!