Current Events > Does CE like Ghost (the band) or nah?

(+) Yeah! (+)

They're fucking awesome IMO but it's admittedly niche as hell given they're "too poppy for metal" and "too scary for mainstream"

But man, I discovered them recently and I'm a huge fan. I love how the more they write, the more they take the Queen/Bowie approach of just writing whatever the fuck they want as opposed to trying to fit a genre.
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COOL SATAN

COOOOOL

Satan is SO COOOOL

HEEE ISSSS THE SHINING OF THE LITE WITHOUT WHOM I CANNOT SEEEEEEeee

They are absolute garbage.
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Great gym workout songs
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I don't hate them but I find them incredibly bland.
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Very_Unreliable posted...

COOL SATAN

COOOOOL

Satan is SO COOOOL

HEEE ISSSS THE SHINING OF THE LITE WITHOUT WHOM I CANNOT SEEEEEEeee

They are absolute garbage.

Ghost literally doesn't even believe in Satan, though
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Never heard of them.
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Not great, but pretty good.

LinksLiege posted...

I don't hate them but I find them incredibly bland.

What makes you say that, out of curiosity?

You're obviously entitled to your opinion, I just feel like "bland" is one word I just can't apply to them. Well, most of their stuff, at least. The first album is a little RAWR SATAN for my tastes at times, even if it is tongue-in-cheek. Not as clever musically or lyrically as their later stuff.
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Um...I listen to it and my reaction quickly gravitates toward, "I'm bored with this." It'd be easier for me to describe what's interesting about a band, not what isn't. It doesn't inspire any reaction in me, it just kind of happens and then I move on. *shrug*

The Satan focus isn't an issue for me. A lot of the metal in my collection is very pro-Satan (lots of black/death metal) but that's not even really a factor, as I don't care about a song's lyrics 99% of the time anyway. In fact I think I'm starting to prefer instrumental music more nowadays.
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I like the Japanese band Ghost.
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So I'm listening to this now and "bland" is a perfect description. It's like metal for people who think Muse is a good rock band. Sucks balls.
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they're fun, i saw them live like two years ago. they put on a good show
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I saw them in July when they opened for Iron Maiden. They were ok but I can't say I really cared to look them up afterwards. The lead singer also did this weird bit about orgasms that made things kinda awkward for a bit.
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BlueScum posted...

So I'm listening to this now and "bland" is a perfect description. It's like metal for people who think Muse is a good rock band. Sucks balls.

What did you listen to?
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I think they're pretty good. Love the large epic feel of their instrumentals, lyrics aren't anything to write home about, vocals are pretty good if you're into that type of metal. They're also good at doing catchy earworms when they try to. I think they're like a solid 7.5/10
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Their little acoustic sets are their best work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcCPp3l_1T4
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synth_real posted...

Their little acoustic sets are their best work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcCPp3l_1T4

I'm quite fond, too. Been listening to this a ton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omFjjfo1qTM
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First album was alright but nothing special. I listened to a more recent song and they just straight up stole a classic King Diamond riff.

I don't really buy into the whole "Satanic" image they've constructed for themselves. They just seem really hellbent on achieving mainstream success and are constantly trying to prop themselves up on older acts that they have nothing in common with anyway. I would go as far as to call them poseurs.

Top-notch production, though. So there's that.
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Thats an interesting perspective, @SpiralDrift. I dont think theyre poseurs at all, but that said, I find myself usually leaning towards forgiving homage and influence when it stops short of blatant plagiarism. Im not sure which one youre referring to offhand, but generally speaking, I find we tend to complain that no one is doing music that sounds influenced by older rock/metal bands, but then bash anything in that vein as derivative.

Id give their latest album a try, I personally like it much more than Opus Eponymous and I pick up on a large range of influences from Rush to Maiden to King Diamond to Judas Priest to Queen and a large range between. Some Blue Oyster Cult and Floyd, too.

As for their mainstream attitude and not buying the Satanic act, it doesnt take too much digging to find they dont buy the Satanic act either. Theyre half tongue in cheek and half an homage to old horror movies. Its just their aesthetic; they admit outright in interviews its just theatre. Granted, whether you enjoy that or not, your mileage may vary, but theyre no more serious about being a Satanic death cult than Bowie was about being an alien, especially once youre past Opus Eponymous.
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Mr_Biscuit posted...

BlueScum posted...

So I'm listening to this now and "bland" is a perfect description. It's like metal for people who think Muse is a good rock band. Sucks balls.

What did you listen to?

I listened to a few songs from a couple different albums. They're a total bore. They bring absolutely nothing to the table that countless other bands haven't done better.
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BlueScum posted...

Mr_Biscuit posted...

BlueScum posted...

So I'm listening to this now and "bland" is a perfect description. It's like metal for people who think Muse is a good rock band. Sucks balls.

What did you listen to?

I listened to a few songs from a couple different albums. They're a total bore. They bring absolutely nothing to the table that countless other bands haven't done better.

Alrighty, thats one opinion
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I think that what makes them work so well for me is that while some people hear their separate influences and say Ive heard that sound before, so Ill pass, the magic to me lies in hearing all those different influences TOGETHER in a way Ive never heard. Ghost took like nine of my favorite bands/writers and mashed them into a rock theatric package. Its just 100% right up my alley.
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