According to the Swedish music-industry web site Musikindustrin.se,“Infestissumam”, the sophomore album from the mysterious Swedish buzz band GHOST, has topped the official chart in the group’s home country after selling nearly five times as many copies as the No. 2 CD,MISS LI‘s “Wolves”.
The release date of “Infestissumam” was reportedly pushed back a week to April 16 after four compact disc manufacturers allegedly refused to print a piece of artwork that was meant for the deluxe version of the new CD. The manufacturers all took issue with the sacrilegious imagery, inspired by the work of Gustave Dore, which showcases what looks like a forest nymph orgy.
“We kept on getting turned down because of the CD art, which is basically a 16th century illustration of an orgy,” a source close to the band toldSPIN.com. “[The bandmembers] weren’t surprised. The comment was ‘Well, I thought this would have happened sooner.’ The artwork was meant to provoke some sort of thought, but it’s been one obstacle after another.”
The controversial art can still be found on both the vinyl and European copies of the “Infestissuman” CD. “Vinyl manufacturers don’t have a problem with the artwork. Neither does Europe,” the source toldSPIN.com.
“Infestissumam” track listing:
01. Infestissumam
02. Per Aspera Ad Inferi
03. Secular Haze
04. Jigolo Har Megiddo
05. Ghuleh / Zombie Queen
06. Year Zero
07. Idolatrine
08. Body And Blood
09. Depth Of Satans Eyes
10. Monstrance Clock
GHOST was forced to modify its name in the U.S. to GHOST B.C. for “legal reasons.”
Hailing from Linköping, Sweden, GHOST formed in in 2008. They released their heralded debut album, “Opus Eponymous”, in 2010. In 2011,GHOST performed at the annual Download festival in the United Kingdom. The band’s fanbase began to swell and not long after added some of hard rock’s finest to this group. Additionally that year, GHOST took part in the“Defenders Of Faith III” tour with TRIVIUM, IN FLAMES and RISE TO REMAIN. In early 2012, they embarked on their first tour of the United States and later that year shared the stage with MASTODON and OPETHon their “Heritage Hunter Tour” in North America. That summer the band was invited by METALLICA‘s James Hetfield to perform on the main stage of METALLICA‘s first annual Orion Music + More festival.
Source: www.blabbermouth.net