Ghost – the bedazzled church of Tobias Forge – have returned with Skeletá. With previous frontman Papa Emeritus IV stepping aside to take on the role of Frater Imperator after the death of his mother, Ghost is now led by Papa V Perpetua – which is Forge in a new mask, in case you didn’t know. Skeletá is the sixth album from the Swedish masked rock band, and the first under the new Papa.
In the context of Skeletá, cover EP Phantomime feels even more connected to the Ghost universe, with its chosen tracks tying directly to the delicious 80s influence running gleefully throughout this latest release. From the chorus of opener “Peacefield” carrying a hint of Journey’s “Separate Ways”, to Forge’s refusal to shy away from the nostalgic synths, there’s something about that 80s hair metal/arena rock vibe that suits Ghost down to the ground, from the big guitars, to the pop hooks, to the strong glam rock visuals. Skeletá takes that and runs with it further than they ever have before, and the end result is rich, referential, and so much fun.
Lyrically, the tracks are Ghost’s usual, filled with double entendre, religious motifs, and occasional emotional heft, and while Impera and Prequelle had overarching themes binding the album together, Skeletá’s ten songs are designed to be more distinct and introspective, with a focus on the individual. It’s fitting when you consider current frontman Perpetua and the fact we’re seeing more of his (or rather Forge’s) actual face than we have with previous iterations – we’re seeing more of him both literally and lyrically. The story still matters, but if we’ve learned anything from this fandom’s love of Copia (the previous Papa Emeritus IV), the individual matters too.
With a band as steeped in lore as Ghost is, it’s almost impossible to say if or when they’ll reach their final form – or, indeed, what it will sound like when they get there. But it’s hard not to look at their latest front-Papa’s name – Perpetua – and wonder if this isn’t what we’ll be getting for at least the foreseeable future. If that’s the case, I’m personally not mad about it.
Recent singles “Peacefield”, “Lachryma” and “Satanized” lead the album, and it’s a nice touch, luring you in with what you already know. “Guiding Lights” scratches a very specific itch to put your lighters (or, these days, phones) in the air, and there’s just something about the hopeful chorus of “De Profundis Borealis” that I can’t shake. And it’s not just about feelings either: “Missilia Amori” is delightfully silly, and “Umbra” and its cowbell are currently doing numbers on Ghost-tok.
The highlight might well be album closer “Excelsis”. It feels tailor made for a Ghost ritual, practically begging for a several thousand strong singalong right up until its plaintive, heartfelt final note.
The shift to this specific sound has clearly been in the works for a while for Forge and Ghost, and while Skeletá might alienate a few who preferred it when it was a little less obvious, there’s still so much to love here. Impera’s “Darkness At Heart Of My Love” will always have an unyielding grip on me, but this is also the band that gave us the likes of “Kiss The Go-Goat”; clearly reference, experimentation, and fun are central to what Ghost is, and Skeletá is a fine example of that.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Ghost’s Skeletá is out now. Find it on your favourite streaming platform, or grab a physical copy HERE.
Track listing:
- “Peacefield”
- “Lachryma”
- “Satanized”
- “Guiding Lights”
- “De Profundis Borealis”
- “Cenotaph”
- “Missilia Amori”
- “Marks Of The Evil One”
- “Umbra”
- “Excelsis”
Header credit: Mikael Eriksson
