Review GHOST “Skeletá”

Not even in their wildest dreams could anyone have predicted such a situation. Four days after the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, it is Ghost that is releasing a new album with Papa V Perpetua in the lead. This seems to be the irony of life.

Besides this historical coincidence, Ghost is releasing a new album called “Skeletá”, the sixth in 15 years. The band’s rise is impressive. From the great debut album “Opus Eponymous” to the latest release “Impera”, the band has transformed itself into a stadium rock band, constantly gaining followers and fans. Today, Ghost is one of the top acts in rock with impressive live shows and superbly crafted music.

Ghost is the brainchild of Tobias Forge, who created the band, the brand and the image associated with it. Ghost is more than just a band. It is a theatrical experience with audio and visuals blending into a complete show when it comes to performing live. Today, the focus is on the music, as Ghost presents the new album “Skeletá”.

Two songs have already been revealed. “Lachryma” and “Satanized” are the lead singles and both songs are typical Ghost tunes. A rocking guitar sound, sugar-coated vocal melodies and a sense for catchy songs make the two appetizers to soul food for Ghost fans. Forge doesn’t deviate from the established success formula and I guess nobody would have expected this from him. Ghost’s new album represents the typical sound of the band and it’s more the details than the big surprises that characterize album number six.

After releasing these two singles ahead of the album’s release, we now turn our attention to the new longplayer. “Peacefield” kicks off the album and it is a peaceful start. The opener is an atmospheric song with a shining guitar solo. It’s a rather introverted piece that reflects the overall theme of the album.

While the earlier album had a focus on things from the outside, it is “Skeletá” that reflects more on the inner perspective, with “Guiding Lights” being one of those ten chapters. The latter is another mellow song that gains some power in the last third, but generally remains an emotional highlight of the album.

Photo: MikaelEriksson

The piano that opens “De Profundis Borealis” makes you think of another soothing moment on the album. It’s a wrong assumption because the song develops into a powerful rocker. Once again it becomes clear that Ghost don’t just focus on melodies. There are also layers and twists that allow the song to blossom immediately and still remain a thrill. This is also true for the upbeat “Cenograph”, a smooth rock song that reflects Ghost’s signature sound throughout, along with a late 70s appeal.

“Missilia Amori” is dark and relatively hard in terms of the guitar sound. The pounding melody is like a melodic love missile targeting your heart. “Marks of the Evil One” is another theatrical hymn in Ghost’s own style, and like the other tunes, has the earworm effect. Rooted in melodic rock, Ghost still stands for a lot of versatility. “Umbra” is next and it’s the track that took me the longest to get used to. It’s another dark and partly melancholic tune that has a catchy chorus but comes with a verse that doesn’t want to reveal its beauty. The dramatic “Excelsis” is the finale and it is another touching moment on the album. In a way, the song connects to “Guiding Light” and is another heartwarming moment on this album.

“Skeletá” is the expected next big step for Ghost. It is the anticipated ear candy of a band that has found its own niche, and fans of the band will greatly appreciate the new effort. No doubt, even for people who are not really into Ghost’s music, it is almost impossible not to be fascinated by the big melodies and the superbly done songwriting. At the same time we can notice that the album has more than one gentle and soulful moments. There could have been a few more spots with harder guitar sounds inserted in catchy melodies which would have provided the album with a few more sparks. It would have given the album a more vivid expression while these ten songs are still pleasing rock anthems.

Ghost is one of the big players and proves that even in the era of streams and downloads, bands can still achieve lasting success with great music and a unique identity that goes beyond denim and leather.