Ghost

Opus Eponymous (Metal Blade/Rise Above)

Satan-happy Swedes led by demon pope the Ghoul with No Name debut a delicate masterwork. The opening church recital turns into an organ-broiled power chord and bass pile driver with Catholic school harmonies, some demon seed of late-1960s swinging London: Syd Barrett leading members of Deep Purple and the Zombies. Psych-pop jewel “Ritual” imagines a Summer of Love Def Leppard, while “Stand by Him” and its monastic chorus (“It’s the night of the witch”) would’ve been the follow-up hit.

****

This article appears in August 26 • 2011.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

San Francisco native Raoul Hernandez crossed the border into Texas on July 2, 1992, and began writing about music for the Chronicle that fall, debuting with an album review of Keith Richards’ Main Offender. By virtue of local show previews – first “Recommendeds,” now calendar picks – his writing’s appeared in almost every issue since 1993.