When it comes to spooky music that’s perfect for Halloween, but not really intended for Halloween, I have a bunch of go-to bands for the season. SLAYER is a big Fall favorite, as are THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE, ROB ZOMBIE, ALICE COOPER, etc. They’re bands that have a certain “vibe” about them that fits – and they’re all completely different from one another, yet still utterly perfect. The latest to fill that niche is one of my favorite contemporary acts, GHOST. This Swedish act seemingly rose from nowhere to become an increasingly recognized name – with a “Satanic” image both creepy and nonthreatening at the same time, putting forth three albums of excellence over the course of the past five years. Fronted by the Pope-esque Papa Emeritus on OPUS EPONYMOUS (2010), Papa Emeritus II on INFESTISSUMAM (2013) and the current Papa Emeritus III on 2015’s MELIORA, GHOST, their mainstream infiltration found them debuting at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 last month with the release of their latest album. Indeed, an audience is listening… and if you’re not, it’s time to start. GHOST secures a place here in my annual 31 Days of Halloween on THE ROCK FATHER Magazine.
Want more GHOST? Stream MELIORIA in full below. My girls, The Rock Daughters (ages 3 & 6) declare that GHOST “sounds like music from Scooby-Doo.”
