Year Zero (song)

"Year Zero" is a song by the Swedish rock band Ghost. The track was released as the second single from the group's second studio album Infestissumam.

"Year Zero"
Single by Ghost
from the album Infestissumam
A-side"Year Zero"
B-side"Orez Raey"
ReleasedApril 19, 2013
Recorded2012
GenreDoom metal
Length5:11
LabelLoma Vista
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Nick Raskulinecz
Ghost singles chronology
"Secular Haze"
(2012)		 "Year Zero"
(2013)		 "Cirice"
(2015)

Background and release

Tobias Forge claimed that "Year Zero" and "Zenith" are the only two Ghost songs that he was not the main author of, the two songs instead being the ideas of guitarist Martin Persner. Although, Forge did write the former's lyrics in addition to revising, arranging and giving instrumentation to both.[1]

On March 12, 2013, Ghost began providing fans with a free streaming of "Year Zero" if they promoted the band on Facebook, by endorsing its frontman to be elected the next Pope of the Catholic Church.[2] The 10" vinyl version of the single includes the B-side "Orez Raey", which as the title suggests is the A-side played backwards.

The single’s cover art is an homage to John Martin’s famous engraving, Satan Presiding at the Infernal Council.

Music video

A music video for the song directed by Amir Chamdin was unveiled on March 25, 2013.[3] A censored version was uploaded to YouTube two days later.

Reception

Loudwire referred to "Year Zero" as possibly the standout track of Infestissumam.[4] About the song, Spin wrote that "Satanic-choir hooks flow into comparatively restrained, melodic verses that are somehow even more sinister."[5] Metal Forces called it one of the album's best with its "eerie chants that sound as if they’ve been lifted from the local monastery" and its infectious drum beat.[6]

Loudwire named the "Year Zero" music video the Best Metal Video of 2013,[7] while Revolver named it seventh on their list of the year's best in all genres.[8] "Year Zero" and its music video were nominated for Best Metal Song and Best Metal Video in the 2013 Loudwire Music Awards.[9]

In 2022, a viral trend on TikTok where users show "cursed" images of their cats or dogs over the opening lyrics of the song ("Belial Behemoth Beelzebub ...") garnered tens of millions of views.[10]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Year Zero"5:50
2."Orez Raey"5:50

Personnel

References
  1. "Ghost Frontman's Response Claims 'No Legal Partnership' Existed With Bandmates". Loudwire. 2017-06-08. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  2. "GHOST: New Song Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. 2013-03-13. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  3. "GHOST: NSFW Version Of 'Year Zero' Video Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net. 2013-03-25. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  4. "Ghost B.C., 'Infestissumam' – Album Review". Loudwire. 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  5. "Vote Ghost B.C.'s Frontman for Pope to Hear the Demonic Death March 'Year Zero'". Spin. 2013-03-13. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  6. "GHOST - Infestissumam". Metal Forces. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  7. "10 Best Metal Videos of 2013". Loudwire. Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  8. "The Best Music Videos of 2013". Revolver. 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2014-01-11.
  9. "3rd Annual Loudwire Music Awards - Vote Now!". Loudwire. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  10. "Belial, Behemoth, Beelzebub". Know Your Meme. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
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