Are Noctum the Next Ghost?

Next month, Metal Blade will release Final Sacrifice, the new album from Sweden’s Noctum, a self-described “classic rock band.” The last time Metal Blade relased an album by a Swedish band that sounded as though they might open for Blue Öyster Cult, the band was Ghost and the album was Opus Eponymous. Really, the biggest difference between Noctum and Ghost is the costumes and make-up. Not to raise expectations or anything. No pressure. Don’t even sweat it.

Personally, I’m not quite sold on Final Sacrifice yet. I can swing a cat in Williamsburg and hit ten bands that sound just like this. That being said, a) Final Sacrifice is definitely catchy and by no means “bad,” and b) I wasn’t really sold on Opus Eponymous until I saw Ghost live after that album’s release, so I’m open to being being swayed.

Check out two new Noctum tracks, “Liberty in Death” and “Temple of the Living Dead,” below and see if you think these dudes are, in fact, the next Ghost, or just another retro-weed-whatever band. Final Sacrifice comes out October 29 and can be pre-ordered here.

[via Metal Underground]