Meliora (Deluxe 10th Anniversary)(Retail Exclusive)＜タワーレコード限定/Green Smoke Vinyl＞

GhostのPapa Emeritus III時代の名盤、『Meliora』がリリース10周年を記念して15曲収録の限定デラックス版2枚組LPとして蘇る!

2015年8月21日にリリースされた3作目のスタジオ・アルバム(10曲入り)。「He Is」、「Mummy Dust」、「Spirit」、そしてグラミー賞受賞曲「Cirice」等ファンに人気の高いトラックを収録。
リリース10周年記念15曲収録のデラックス版2枚組LP。アメリカでプラチナ認定されたシングル「Square Hammer」も収録。
■仕様:2枚組LP、盤は限定のグリーン・スモーク・カラー・ヴァイナル、ダブル・ワイド背表紙ジャケット、Papa III Mummyダスト・バック(Papa III Mummyをフィーチャーした紙幣を模倣したインサート)

Meliora, the third long-player by Swedens Ghost, looks back at what made their 2011 debut, Opus Eponymous, so special: Beautifully written, hook-laden, hard rock songs with clean (and even serene) singing. Produced by pop-heavy hitter Klas Ahlund (Usher, Katy Perry, Madonna) and mixed by Andy Wallace (Slayer, Rob Zombie, Sepultura), Meliora is a calculated step into accessibility, and offers a clear window into the bands collective career ambitions. Their anonymous, cowled and masked monk costumes and the skull-faced, anti-Papal dress of their frontman Papa Emeritus III (same guy as Papa Emeritus I and II), who delivers lyrics of unabashed, worshipful Satanism, however, are their only links to black metal. The rest comes straight out of rocks storied past, from Alice Cooper and Blue Oyster Cult to Witchfinder General, Venom, and many, many more. (The gorgeous vocal harmonies woven throughout the album reveal theyve also spent time listening to the San Francisco, L.A., and Laurel Canyon sounds of the late 60s and early 70s ). Schtick aside, this bands songwriting makes for some of the most compelling hard rock out there. One verse on "From the Pinnacle to the Pit" recalls Alice in Chains, yet contains one of the most compelling refrains since "Dont Fear the Reaper," with a large church organ sifted in for measure. First single "Cirice" opens with an acoustic guitar, but gives way to a Metallica-esque riff with a seductive bridge and an instantly hummable refrain. The intro to opener "Spirit" contains a creepy, gothic organ, Theremin, and choir -- it lets us know these guys love the soundtrack atmospherics of vintage horror movies -- but the tune offers traces of prog rock alongside a gripping metal riff. "Mummy Dust" is the sets headbanger (though the AC/DC references in "Absolution" are a close second) that openly worships Mercyful Fate. Its the only tune here that has (somewhat) dirty vocals, stacked atop a blazing organ and effects-laden guitars. Closer "Deus in Absentia" pays homage to Thin Lizzy with its dual lead guitar harmonies, and to BOC (who seem to haunt all Ghosts albums to some degree) with a pumping acoustic piano and thundering tom-toms. Its an anthemic patchwork of 70s styles, carried out by a classical choir a la Mozarts Requiem. Meliora jumps so quickly from classic hard rock to prog to glam metal it can be dizzying (and perhaps even dazzling) for listeners. What holds it all together is solid writing that sticks close to stock pop/rock methodology. Ghosts lyrics often turn to Lucifer for comfort and consolation here -- their loving allure may prove to be shocking to parents (who may indeed enjoy the melodies). But the kids get the gag, and theyll have the final say as to whether Ghost achieves the mass popularity they so desperately seek. ~ Thom Jurek