Infestissumam is a logical follow up not so much to the prior Ghost album, but rather as a spiritual successor to Ulver's charmingly faithful covers album, Childhood's End.
Infestissumam finds them comfortable enough in what they do to expand their already-adored sound to the cathedral ceilings.
They've definitely managed to carve out a niche within the increasingly fragmented world of heavy metal, and while purists may revile them for their insolence, it's their insubordination that ultimately earns them a place in the genre.
While Ghost B.C. could certainly use a little added variety, both musically and lyrically (maybe Satan could sit out as lyricist for like five songs on their next record), there’s plenty here to admire.
The classic heavy metal and surf rock elements that made their debut so appealing are intact, with some additional psychedelia and more driving, intense guitar riffs.
Even though Infestissumam isn’t a masterpiece by any means, this infernal troupe has written an interesting if not immediate record that while lacking the translucent hooks of its eponymous predecessor, shows that the shrouded conjurers of Ghost B.C. have plenty of tricks left under their black robes.
This is a pop-rock record underwritten with childlike Anti-Christian sentiment; the tension between those underdeveloped directions-- surface-level darkness and near-translucent accessibility-- creates little but an insufferable stiffness.
They could certainly use some diversity there, as Infestissumam suffers from repetitive lyrics (they manage to have too much “hail Satan”) in addition to a noticeable lack of hooks.
This is a weird one. It's filled with some of Ghost's best songs (Ghuleh, Year Zero, Body and Blood to name a few) but its also full of boring crap. Idolatrine, Per Aspera, any track in Latin really. Honestly, take out the boring songs and i'd love this project. It wouldnt be amazing though, Monstrance Clock loses goes on way too long and Ghuleh didnt need to be that long. Also as a hot take, i actually really like Secular haze, I will not be explaining myself.
Yeah, it's not great, but not terrible either. One of their weakest efforts, but there are still some good songs on here. Year Zero is a classic. The production here isn't the best for Ghost and quite a few of the vocal performances seem lack-luster, also the lyrics? Very strange, it's like there is a Satanic message every second line. I know that's Ghost's shtick, but it's a little too much here.
Not bad, but I won't be returning to any of the songs except one or two.
FAV TRACKS: Year ... read more
There are some good songs on here like "Year Zero", but other than that, I just didn't enjoy this one.
Yeah, this one is not as good as their debut. The production on here is inferior to a really good sound from Opus Eponymous, it's too overdriven and the guitar tone is quite meh.
Songwriting is also pretty alright, there are not so much good songs that I would revisit. Only Year Zero.
Not much to say, its pretty alright record.
Giving it a B rank.
1 | Infestissumam 1:42 | 74 |
2 | Per Aspera Ad Inferi 4:09 | 74 |
3 | Secular Haze 5:11 | 70 |
4 | Jigolo Har Megiddo 3:58 | 77 |
5 | Ghuleh / Zombie Queen 7:29 | 81 |
6 | Year Zero 5:50 | 89 |
7 | Body and Blood 3:43 | 72 |
8 | Idolatrine 4:23 | 65 |
9 | Depth of Satan's Eyes 5:25 | 67 |
10 | Monstrance Clock 5:53 | 80 |