16 May 2023 – EP review by Lucas Bell
Off the back of their critically acclaimed 2022 record Impera, Swedish cult metallers Ghost have dropped a five track EP of 80s covers, titled Phantomime. Ghost aren’t strangers to the concept of covers EPs, having dropped three of them already. But this one is special, because it’s the first EP consisting purely of cover songs. And pulling from classic songs from bands like Iron Maiden and Genesis, to even trying a Tina Turner cover, this already feels on face value, like this could be a ripping EP.
Opening the EP with ‘See No Evil’ by Television is definitely the opening swing this EP needed. The song feels like it’s been ripped straight from a GTA Vice City soundtrack. The solo in this song absolutely rips, and the guitar work throughout, underscoring the vocals is actually some of my favorite guitar I’ve heard from Ghost in a long time. This then bleeds nicely into the second track, ‘Jesus He Knows Me’ by Genesis. The opening riff to this song is heavy enough to get your head bopping without even realizing it. Underscored with heavy synths, the song takes on a more orchestral vibe in the chorus, before switching back to that heavy bop vibe in the verses.
We’re already at the midpoint of the EP, and we’re at a cover of ‘Hanging Around’ by The Stranglers. Compared to it’s original counterpart, the Ghost version feels like it’s played at a faster tempo, which makes the instrumentation feel like controlled chaos. Something else I want to say too, is that the instrumentation on this song is probably my favorite of the five songs. Something I feel Ghost doesn’t get enough credit for, is their instrumentals. And this one, rules.
Song four of five on the record is a cover of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ by one of my favorite bands, and all time greats, Iron Maiden. I went into this one with caution, because I mostly don’t like covers of Maiden songs. But I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. Again, the instrumentation on this song is huge. The guitars rule, especially the intro. The drums hit perfectly, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but give me an entire album of Iron Maiden/Ghost covers please and thank you.
The final track on the record, in my opinion, is the biggest creative swing you could make, with the most room for it to miss. Ghost, covering Tina Turner’s ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’. It’s already a ballsy move trying to cover one of the most impressive vocalists of all time. But to translate that into heavy rock, this has all the potential to fall apart very quickly. I’m so glad to say though, I absolutely adored this cover. The bass and synths opening the song slowly leading into the low and soft vocals from Tobias gives me goosebumps.The sudden change into the high energy chorus changes those goosebumps into full body chills. This is a song that needs to be on the tour setlist. I feel like this would go off live. Especially the solo.
As a whole, the EP rips. Pulling deep cuts from bands people love, and giving it a coat of the old Ghost shine, makes the songs feel fresh again. If you are a Ghost fan, or any of the bands on this EP, this is a must listen release.
Rating: 8/10
Song recommendations: ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’, ‘See No Evil’, ‘Hanging Around’.
GHOST AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2023
TOUR DATES:
TUESDAY 3 OCTOBER – HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY
WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER – MARGARET COURT ARENA, MELBOURNE
SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER – RIVERSTAGE, BRISBANE
Tickets on sale now
Tickets from destroyalllines.com
