Ghost - Seven Inches Of Satanic Panic

Key Facts

Country: 🇸🇪
Genre: Psychedelic, Occult Rock
Release Date: 13th September 2019
Record Label: Loma Vista Recordings
Album Release Date: N/A

Band Members

Cardinal Copia - Vocals
A Group of Nameless Ghouls – guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, backing vocals

Ghost - Kiss The Go-Goat



Review
Rating (out of 5🤘): 🤘🤘🤘🤘

We all know that Ghost have had a very strange and unique sound, that's what has rocketed them to fame in the first place. I remember being in Stockholm and seeing their image everywhere, big cardboard cutouts of Papa Emeritus and Cardinal Copia. However, Seven Inches Of Satanic Panic sees the band go back even further in their influence archives to a very 60s occult rock sound. Also, being release on Friday 13th has given it an extra layer of pop spook. This vintage occult pop rock (or whatever you want to call it) its catchy and a refreshing return to the vintage 60s sound through modern eyes. The world's favourite ABBA of Metal band is back with some interesting and spooky new songs!

Musically, it is stereotypical Ghost, both songs on the 7" single are catchy, melodic and eerie in a very specific Ghost-only way. Despite this I initially though the intro melody to Kiss The Go-Goat sounded eerily similar to the chorus melody on Dance Macabre off of 2018's Prequelle album, if only slightly changed that's the first thing that jumped out at me. I think the best thing about Ghost's music is that it make you want to move to it, but in a weird 60s ritualistic cult way, so with this 7" single it feels like we can do it with more purpose. The riffs and vocal melodies are catchy, which is to be expected from Ghost, and will probably remain in my head for the rest of the day, week, month, a perfect addition to any Hallowe'en playlist and just in time. The prominence of the church organ/retro-synth keyboard has also become a Ghost trademark, there is something very ABBA about the way they are played in these two songs, but they sound very 70s rock in my opinion which just shows how diverse Ghost can be with their songwriting. Out of the two songs I prefer Mary On A Cross, its hopelessly optimistic and jaunty backing music makes the lyrics seem fairly upbeat as well, but they are both dark and blasphemous (not that I'm complaining). It's that classic case of a dark song lyrically but listening to it makes you happy. These songs just add to the richness of the Ghost legend and mythos in a totally different way, they aren't afraid to be inspired from more obscure places and it just makes their songwriting so diverse. Lyrically, there does seem to be a overtly sexual theme, possible alluding to the Summer Of Love in 1969, but also with the emergence of the occult in popular culture at the time giving rise to the fear that the young people of the time were aligning themselves with Satan in the most sensual and vulnerable way, which is an interesting path to take lyrically. Usually Ghost is all about doom and gloom while basking in Satanic Love. Overall these are two very well written songs that hint back to a bygone age of music, where Satan was a psychedelic force of freedom that still scared people. The intricacies of both songs melody, harmony and chordal arrangements are something that draws you in and keeps you under its spell so you come back for more and more and always pick up something else with each listen while becoming entranced. 

From a production standpoint, I am living for every second of this vintage sound. The amps sound warm, fuzzy and valve-y. The guitar tones are heavy in a completely different way as a result of the bands focus on the more 60s psychedelic occult rock sound. There is this jangly feel to some of the guitar tones too, which is stereotypical 60s guitar sound. I think Ghost have really done their homework in not only the composition of the songs but in the production as well so the songs have maximum effect. I love the compression and mix of the drums more than anything though, everyone who knows me knows how much I love the 60s/70s drum sound, as they're so precise and tight but warm and welcoming. They still pack their punch without being too in your face. Both songs sound massive and anthemic from the production standpoint. There also seems to be this warmth to both songs overall, like it was recorded on tape or put through an emulator but either way it adds some colour to the songs and I love it. Overall, a really well produced single from Ghost yet again.

If you fancy getting spooky a little earlier this year but want to do it to some 60s fuelled occult rock, I'd check out Seven Inches Of Satanic Panic now, you won't be disappointed!