If you have Ghost

Ghost B.C. formally known as Ghost, is a Swedish heavy metal band that really has crossed over and exploded in popularity. I originally picked up their first album a couple years ago, because they were described as the second coming of King Diamond. Who wouldn't get excited about that? Fortunately and unfortunately that description was a bit skewed. Yes Ghost looks like King Diamond. Both bands have a flare for a unique stage show. They both have face paint and costumes that can be seen as offensive to some people. King Diamond regularly drew an upside down cross in his face paint, where the singer of Ghost wears a costume that resembles the Pope or a clergyman of power in the Catholic Church.

The two musical styles vary vastly but that's not a bad thing at all. King Diamond was more of a thrash, traditional heavy metal band. Ghost is more of a trippy band more reminiscent of a Blue Oyster Cult. Regardless both bands are awesome and I was glad I become a fan of Ghost in the process.

If you have Ghost is an EP, drawing off the popularity of their last full length album Infestissumam. This EP has 5 tracks on it, four being covers and one live track. The bands they chose to cover was very interesting. Usually metal bands cover other metal songs or pop songs that are very popular and translate well to metal. Ghost decided to cover bands that they enjoy and have absolutely nothing to do with the heavy metal scene. I see this as very admirable. They cover ABBA, Depeche Mode, Army of Lovers and a gentleman named Roky Erickson. All of the songs translate well into Ghost's musical styling.

Crucified, the Army of Lovers cover, is easily the most evil sounding tune on the record. Waiting for the Night (Depeche Mode) is a beautifully haunting song.

I have been waiting to see Ghost on a live show for a very long time. It was nice to get a glimpse of their live sound with the live Secular Haze track. They are a lot heavier live than their studio sound.

A little side note of this EP. Dave Grohl produced it and actually played some guitar and drums on a few tracks. I know Grohl is a big metal fan and I'm glad to see that he is mixing it up with an up and coming band. His name alone can elevate talent.

Ghost is a band that's heavy enough for metal fans to enjoy and mainstream enough for non-metal fans to enjoy as well. They can be that one band that you can tell your friends and family about, that doesn't make you a complete metal weirdo like myself.

I give If you have Ghost 4 out of 5 Burning Lariats.