UMUR "Infestissumam" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Swedish heavy rock/metal act Ghost. The album was released through Loma Vista Recordings in April 2013. "Infestissumam" was recorded at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, and produced by prolific producer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Alice in Chains, Deftones...etc.). The location of the studio actually provided Ghost with recording issues as they needed a choir to record some of the sections on the album, but was turned down by every local choir or individual choir singer they approached, when they read the words (the occult nature of the lyrics) they had to sing. In the end the choir sections for the album had to be recorded in Hollywood.

Stylistically the music on "Infestissumam" contineus the occult themed heavy rock/metal that was initiated on "Opus Eponymous (2010)". According to a hoax story the band have fabricated lead vocalist Papa Emeritus has been replaced by Papa Emeritus II but it´s apparent from the get go, that we´re dealing with the same singer. His voice isn´t the most powerful or distinct sounding, but he is backed up by choirs and backing vocals, which help make his performance of the melodic vocal lines acceptable. The basis in the instrumental part of the music is still heavily influenced by late 60s/early 70s occult themed heavy rock/metal with dominant use of organ/keyboards and choirs, simple hard rocking riffs, and a solid rhythm section. It´s generally not very heavy and at times even mainstream oriented, but that´s also partially due to the organic sound production where the guitars are put in the back of the mix.

The material are generally well crafted and relatively adventurous. It´s not complex by any means, but the band do try out a few new things compared to what they did on "Opus Eponymous (2010)". The sound of the two albums are overall pretty similar though. "Infestissumam" is probably the perfect sophomore release to fans of the band (enough development to not be a clone of the debut, but not so much that the music isn´t unmistakably the sound of Ghost), and Ghost are by now also a both distinct sounding and easily recognisable visual act. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

Stephen With 'Infestissummam', GHOST was condemned with the sophomore curse. New singer sounds identical but with less-heavy, more psychedelic and symphonic touch to their heavy metal, GHOST failed to deliver hard-hittin' anthemic track like the last time, and surprisingly, the two singles unleashed were terribly average, if not weak, and even Lucifer himself might be embarassed to sing along to that. 'Jigolo Har Megiddo' though, comprised with a good melody, and 'Ghuleh / Zombie Queen' weirdly attracted me but sadly it's way too long.

'Body And Blood' sounds cheesy but it's strangely better than the single 'Secular Haze' or 'Idolatrine'. 'Depth of Satan's Eyes', now this one is good. Melodic and infectious, although 7 minutes might be threatening because it's still a great song if it's only 3 minutes. The haunting midtempo of 'Monstrance Clock' is clearly the best track here, I don't understand why didn't they pick this up as the leading single.

Production is somewhat okay, never really admired the musicianship - I guess they're just a bunch of average artists and replay value definitely lower than the debut. It's definitely an overrated album and they need to come up with something better next time.

64%

Warthur Marking the development of the vocal style over their first album by having "Papa Emeritus II" succeed the original Papa Emeritus (it's entirely possible, and even likely, that they're both the same dude), Ghost bring forth Infestissumam and with it an impressive evolution of their sound. Whilst I thought their first album relied a little too heavily on their "anonymous Satanists" gimmick, the band shift to a more hard rock-based sound with some tracks being downright danceable - but the foreboding atmosphere they establish from the intro track onwards ensures that matters stay interesting throughout the album. Some may question this shift in their musical direction, though for my part I welcome it since it gives their music a distinct flavour and personality which Opus Eponymous, if you set aside their stage trappings, frankly lacked.