Priest – New Flesh (Album Review)

November 17, 2017 Priest – New Flesh (Album Review)

Writing the next chapter in their story, the guitarist known as Alpha rises with new band Priest. Known as one of the Nameless Ghouls of famed Swedish Rock band Ghost, Alpha was a part of the band’s success seven years before deciding it was time to move on. Leaving the past in the past, Priest is something uniquely different than Ghost, its own entity if you will. In fact, nothing like Ghost at all, and that is not a bad thing at all.

First off, Priest is not a Rock or Metal band, they are more along the lines of an Electronica project, one which could fit snuggly and comfortably in the 1980s New Wave/Darkwave scene when synthesizers were a band in a box.

With collaboration from Keyboardist Airghoul, another former bandmate of Ghost, comes the compelling debut album New Flesh on Friday, November 17, 2017 via Lövely Records. Mixed by Niklas Berglöf (Slagsmålsklubben, Dead Soul) and mastered by Magnus Lindberg, prepare for a post apocalyptic collection of songs you would not expect. 

Ten tracks in total, if there was an album in 2017 that sounds insanely futuristic yet reminiscent of the 1980s club scene, New Flesh is it. For example, tracks such as the singles “The Pit” and “The Cross” along with “Private Eye” will make fans of acts like Yaz and Depeche Mode smile ear to ear.

Furthermore, darker pieces like the latest single, “History in Black,” is more modern stylistically while offering lyrics that could very well be about the trials and tribulations of Alpha’s time with Ghost. Open to determination, the words offer something of a rebirth of sorts, breaking away from negativity, taking on a ‘New Flesh’ if you will.

Keeping it dark, “Nightmare Hotel” features an awesome, danceable beat that will have goths drooling for more. Perhaps the song that shows the full potential of Priest, this could easily be one of the best EDM pieces of the year. Getting even more creative, “Virus,” lyrically, is also open to determination. It is either an ode to a loved one or a message to a future victim. Fortunately its macabre nature act as a missing link to complete the album. Additionally, if any cut on the album had some reminiscence of Alpha’s time with Ghost, this would be it. 

Closing out the adventure, “Call My Name” is another synth-laden catchy tune before the conclusion with “Reloader,” the most Industrial sounding song of the record. All this in mind, there is something about New Flesh that sounds vintage yet entirely fresh at the same time. Experimental? Perhaps, but Priest really embodies a unique style that sets them apart from past projects. Essentially, everything you would expect from this project right down to the somewhat controversial name would lead you to believe this was going to either be a rehash of Ghost or perhaps a Black Metal endeavor. Well, think again, because Priest is coming with a complete head-turning listening experience.

Again, Priest are not really doing anything groundbreaking in the Electronic music genre, but who cares, it does not mean the songs are not infectious. That in mind, the greatest attribute to New Flesh is the range of feeling and tone it offers. There is desire and anger. Sorrow and excitement. So if you are a fan of everything from Kraftwerk to Depeche Mode, to The Birthday Massacre and Ultravox, you will love New Flesh. For these reasons, CrypticRock gives New Flesh 4 out of 5 stars. 

Purchase New Flesh:
[amazon_link asins=’B075QPV3PF’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’crypticrock-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7e970010-cb8a-11e7-9d62-a34852fe53fb’]

Like the in-depth, diverse coverage of Cryptic Rock? Help us in support to keep the magazine going strong for years to come with a small donation.