Ghost - Meliora

Well, I didn't even want to like this album but it's just that catchy and... good. Good job Ghost.

Holy Bloody Crucified Mary's Child... I love it.

Maybe the bandmates do not want to reveal their real names because there are famous members of ABBA and Boney M among them? I would not be surprised.

Written by Nihil Aeternum on 18.09.2015 at 20:06

Maybe the bandmates do not want to reveal their real names because there are famous members of ABBA and Boney M among them? I would not be surprised.

In your face

Fantastic album, they've combined the best of their first two releases. Love the occasional cheesy 80s arena rock nods.

Good stuff overall but again, not enough to impress me. It's a solid 7.5 on my book, above average, enjoyable but nothing really fantastic here. Liked the single "Cirice" over everything else.

This is just amazing! I've finally been able to fully immerse in Ghost, and this has lead me to reevaluate their earlier works. The drums are simple but super-effective. The riffs just rock. Been listening to this everyday for a while now. What a nice surprise.

Best tracks: From the Pinnacle to the Pit, Absolution, He Is

A part of me - the part of me that thinks my elitist tendencies to be struck down with the unexpected appreciation of something popular - wanted to like this. The singles made it seem so promising, and had me anticipating something sounding like Merciful Fate, Blue Oyster Cult, and Black Sabbath, with some added proggy bits and sprinkled with modern pop sensibilities to give it wider appeal. My first impression is that this album mostly sounds like an evil version of ABBA.
I will give it another listen, and hope it grows on me, but so far, this is a massive disappointment.

This is actually pretty good

I really grew to like this album in the end. It didn't grab me straight away but like many 2015 albums this one's a grower.

Really like this album. The drums are so much better than the last album. Sounds like Grohl, wouldn't be a surprise since he was on the Abba cover.

Written by samarium on 06.11.2015 at 21:14

Really like this album. The drums are so much better than the last album. Sounds like Grohl, wouldn't be a surprise since he was on the Abba cover.

Yeah, agree about the drumming being a step up from the previous album. I feel like it is a different person behind the kit. Could be Grohl but I doubt it.

Written by Ace Frawley on 07.11.2015 at 23:15

Yeah, agree about the drumming being a step up from the previous album. I feel like it is a different person behind the kit. Could be Grohl but I doubt it.

I don't know that Grohl's ego would allow him to actually perform in such an anonymous manner.

So I said I loved this album 2 months ago... Now I confirm it, bloody fuckin' masterpiece, I still spin it at least once a day. Good job Ghost, can't wait for the next one.
And that show in Montreal... seriously, amazing.

So am I the only person on the planet who really likes this album, but doesn't care at all for their first two albums?

Written by SoUnDs LiKe PoP on 22.02.2016 at 19:55

So am I the only person on the planet who really likes this album, but doesn't care at all for their first two albums?

Probably not.

Written by Ace Frawley on 23.02.2016 at 03:00

Written by SoUnDs LiKe PoP on 22.02.2016 at 19:55

So am I the only person on the planet who really likes this album, but doesn't care at all for their first two albums?

Probably not.

Yeah, I don't know, I read so much about how great their first album is and how "catchy" their second album is - but I find the first album to be incredibly boring and repetitive, and most of the second album to be annoying. Meliora completely stands on its own IMO.

The instrumentals are great, but I'm just not a fan of that style of vocals. Ghost are excellent technicians, and what they do, they do well. However, this style is just not for me. The vocals are just too clean for my taste.

Written by SoUnDs LiKe PoP on 22.02.2016 at 19:55

So am I the only person on the planet who really likes this album, but doesn't care at all for their first two albums?

I am in the same boat as you, actually. Meliora feels more "serious", for lack of a better term, than either of its predecessors and the melodies on this album specifically are quite engaging. Hopefully it's a sign of the band growing and evolving together, with many a great release ahead of them.

This album is great!

This is by far the best Ghost album. Better, heavier sound than Infestissumam, better overall songwriting than either album that came before, and far less filler as well. Seems like the band is getting progressively better; hopefully they don't stop here.

It's alright but not as good as the first two albums.

Written by Jack_Torrance on 20.09.2018 at 22:54

It's alright but not as good as the first two albums.

Not a weak moment on this album for me. Their first three albums are all perfect 10's.

The songwriting for me is an improvement on this one over the last two albums, and it's a wee bit heavier in parts too, with more notable, and groovier riffs. I'm also liking the creepy atmospheric parts this has too, it has a comic horror vibe to it, so oddly I'm getting Alice Cooper and Arthur Brown vibes from this.

Again this is another fairly consistent album, with no real bad tracks, the difference I found with this album though is that there are a few extra tracks that stand out more than the last two albums. "Cirice", "Mummy Dust", and "Majesty" are probably my favourite tracks on this album.

I finally listened to Ghost today, and I understand their appeal. Also, I think “Cirice” is a perfect masterpiece.

Written by Metren on 07.03.2025 at 12:45

I finally listened to Ghost today, and I understand their appeal. Also, I think “Cirice” is a perfect masterpiece.

Save the single "Square Hammer" for last.

Written by Boxcar Willy on 07.03.2025 at 15:22

Save the single "Square Hammer" for last.

I shall act in accordance with your recommendation. But "Square Hammer" has to be something truly genius to beat "Cirice".

Written by Metren on 07.03.2025 at 16:33

Written by Boxcar Willy on 07.03.2025 at 15:22

Save the single "Square Hammer" for last.

I shall act in accordance with your recommendation. But "Square Hammer" has to be something truly genius to beat "Cirice".

"Cirice" is indeed fantastic, but "Square Hammer" is the catchiest song of theirs. Totally addictive. Meliora is my favourite album by Ghost.

Written by nikarg on 08.03.2025 at 15:34

"Cirice" is indeed fantastic, but "Square Hammer" is the catchiest song of theirs. Totally addictive. Meliora is my favourite album by Ghost.

I'd argue that Dance Macabre is the catchiest.

Written by gavdann on 08.03.2025 at 16:56

I'd argue that Dance Macabre is the catchiest.

Cannot really argue that. It's definitely one of the two.