As Ghost was coming on stage, they had Jocelyn Pook's "Masked Ball" playing. Hearing that really set the mood for the whole theatrical nature Ghost has, with the fog and church-like stained glass imagery at the back of the stage.
While their set was a little short compared to other concerts, maybe about average for some, it was fantastic non the less. As expected from the band, Papa Emeritus II was in full robe (with mask/facepaint, pope hat, and everything), and the Nameless Ghouls in their black hooded garb all added to the atmosphere they are known for that just amplifies with their music.
01. Infestissumam | 02. Per Aspera ad Inferi | 03. Con Clavi Con Dio | 04. Prime Mover | 05. Elizabeth | 06. Secular Haze | 07. Body and Blood | 08. Stand by Him | 09. Death Knell | 10. Satan Prayer | 11. Genesis | 12. Year Zero | 13. Ritual | Encore: 14. Monstrance Clock
With their performance, they sound fantastic. It's one thing to listen to Ghost from their albums, and another to experience their music in their church like setting. Basically everyone in the venue was fully into the mood Ghost created, and especially so when Papa Emeritus would leave it to the crowd to sing parts of the chorus to various songs. Now of course whenever Papa Emeritus II talks to the crowd, he is in full character (Vatican-like accent and everything), and going along with the bands continuity of how he is not the same as the front-man who played with Ghost in The Studio at Webster Hall two years ago. All in all, it was a fantastic concert experience musically and the satanic atmosphere the wonderful Ghost created.
With this album, Ghost have slightly changed their name as far as the US is concerned due to legal reasons, to now be 'Ghost B.C.'. Infestissumam (which is Latin for 'hostile') picks up where their previous album Opus Eponymous leaves off, which is with the birth of the antichrist. In January the single "Secular Haze" included the b-side of an ABBA cover "I'm A Marionette" featuring Dave Grohl on drums (which is also featured on the deluxe edition of the album).
Now this album unfortunately did suffer some censorship as far as it's American CD release, that being with the inside artwork. Even with the deluxe editions*, for whatever reason the CD manufacturers refused to print it (although someone was kind enough to upload all of the fantastic art here). I have read that the vinyl editions of the album suffered no such censorship, so I think I will have to purchase for myself that edition at some point to have as well as the CD.
They are as blasphemous as ever, and I think even surpassing Opus Eponymous with this fantastic album. The album flows from song to song really nicely, and like their previous release is filled with memorable and catchy songs. Overall it is a really enjoyable album, I would highly recommend for people to check out especially if you are unfamiliar with Ghost.
* Can someone verify.. I myself only own the deluxe CD edition which seems to have the artwork from that tumblr post, and have not yet seen the vinyl so maybe this is one thing that varies by the edition?
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