From the first taster of Phantomime... a cover of "Jesus He Knows Me", released in early May, I had a feeling that good things were to come with this new covers EP! This five track EP was released a few weeks after the Genesis cover on May 19th and follows after last years Impera as a between album aperitif which is always welcome to any fan of the band as we look forward to a extra little snippet of quality content.
Phantomime is a selection of tracks ranging from the late 70s to the early 90s. "See No Evil" originally by Television and "Hanging Around" by The Stranglers both from 1977 are for me probably the weaker tracks on the EP. They sound perfectly fine and done really well but are played pretty straight and true to the original without really adding much. It could just be that they were songs I never really liked all that much to begin with. However Tobias Forge does add a certain extra flourish to the originally bland vocal line of "See No Evil" which is enjoyable enough and I suppose the their choice of track by The Stranglers is at least different from another version of "Peaches" or "Golden Brown" so I'll give them that! The other three tracks on Phantomime totally blow those two out the water. I've already briefly mentioned their version of "Jesus He Knows Me" released by Genesis in 1991 but it is worth mentioning twice as they absolutely nail it! Reinforcing the concept to the younger audience and introducing a new character to the clergy in Father Jim DeFroque who appears in the accompanying music video as the well respected priest who is ultimately stealing from the congregation, cheating on his wife and generally not practising what he preaches. Popping this 90s classic back into peoples minds is as relevant as it was back then and reminds us all of just how awesome the original is. Yet by adding some monster metal riffs and picking up the pace a little they manage to make it better than Genesis' version. Their next tribute is "Phantom Of The Opera" by Iron Maiden from their debut self titled album in 1980 and originally sung by Paul Dianno. Played in its entirety of over seven minutes, Ghosts version really accentuates the main riff and brings the bass line up in the mix as in homage to Steve Harris' talent. Ghosts version is as technically competent yet a bit darker with the vocals being even more clear, crisp and highly addictive. It's a trip down memory lane with a fresh and more polished approach as well as a true triumph. It has been met by mixed reactions, as many Ghost songs do but they will get no hate from me. A lot of time and effort has gone into this track. The final track lends itself again as the ultimate 80s tribute with "We Don't Need Another Hero" from the soundtrack of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome 1985 originally performed by Tina Turner. Again, Ghost bring this track back into the forefront of peoples minds by enhancing the original track in their own way. The music embraces the big, bold 80s keyboard and clean, crisp guitar with a great metal pizzazz. This is a huge arena song made to be blasted out in vast venues across the world so with any luck they may roll it out live in the future. It's a poignant tribute and homage to Tina Turner and I hope she got to hear it before she passed.
Phantomime is an excellent palate cleanser in the interim between Impera and their next instalment. I love the fact that Tobias Forge chose some prominent and revered vocal artists and bands from different genres to cover, it was a bold move and despite what some may think it is through his hard work, eye for detail and a love and appreciation for a vast range of music that makes Ghost able to pull off these choices in effortless style. Three fantastic reimagined versions of classic Genesis, Iron Maiden and Tina Turner tunes done with a subtle Ghost twist that don't try to better the originals but instead bring peoples attention back to and point them out to the younger generation that may have missed them the first time around. These are by far the stand out tracks on the EP. The Stranglers and Television tracks are fine, well executed songs but pale in comparison the the others.
Phantomime as expected is a slick and well produced recording, eagerly awaited by the fans and expertly advertised. Even the artwork depicts a familiar link to Impera as it kind of looks a bit like a futuristic upgraded version.
