Ghost, also known as “Ghost B.C.,” have just released a new single off of their upcoming record, Meliora. The single, entitled “Cirice,” is perhaps one of the moss polished singles that the congregation has done to date.
If the single “Cirice” is any indicator, Ghost may be on the verge of releasing the best record that they’ve put together thus far. Just days after summoning new singer Papa Emeritus III into the congregation, they’ve released the latest single to feature the new singer, and the results quell any doubts that fans may have had in regards to the new member of the Congregation. The vocals that Emeritus III unleashes on “Cirice” are the next natural step in terms of vocal harmonies from Emeritus II. Make no mistake about it, the vocal performances that come from Ghost in this new single bring a new level of awesome to the group’s already notorious musical catalog.
So, what does that leave for the music, then? Well, that also feels like a natural continuation from the Emeritus II era. The track starts off with a real ominous, Alice-In-Chains-esuqe intro. There’s an early acoustic segment that leaves the listener wanting more, and then, right at the exact moment it’s needed, the bass line kicks in, and then the song kicks into a whole other gear. Although “Cirice” doesn’t do anything wildly different from what Ghost has already put out, it feels as though the single is a bit more stripped down than in previous Ghost singles. While all of the signature elements are there, it seems that Ghost is more content to pursue a “less is more” approach, musically, putting the focus more on the vocal track than on any of the instruments. The harmonies feel as though they’re coming from a Church of Darkness, beckoning outsiders to join the Congregation, the proverbial doors being always opened.
“Cirice” is definitely a great new single for Ghost, and although it doesn’t make a huge change from A to B for the group, the track does offer a new insight into what we can expect off of the new record.
This has certainly been the most creatively invigorating period for the group since late 2013/early 2014. During that era, they released covers-only EP, If You Have Ghost, which was produced by Dave Grohl. During that same period, they also released video for the single, “Monstrance Clock,” a single off of their Infestissumam. Shortly after that release, they underwent a massive tour in Spring 2014.
Meliora is due out on August 21st.
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