Ghost, Meliora, Deluxe Edition, Limited Transparent Yellow Vinyl LP + EP, Loma Vista, 2023

Reissue of their 2015 LP in an expanded deluxe edition from the Swedish metal band. A band rife with contradictions, Ghost B.C. preach extreme Satanic viewpoints over surprisingly lightweight Heavy Metal, and it’s members maintain a strict vow of anonymity, both on record and on-stage, where they obscure themselves under monks’ cowls, except for their lead singer, whose skull-faced makeup, cardinal robes, miter and thurible reflect an anti-Pope, instead. As a result, the band’s rare concerts come across like an occult ritual, and their 2010 debut album, Opus Eponymous, totally defied expectations with its surprisingly accessible melodic rock sound, reminiscent of ’60’s Psychedelia, ’70’s doom, and ’80’s