It’s been three years since the release of the last Ghost album, and Papa & the ghouls’ following has continued to grow in the interim. Now, as Papa Emeritus IV makes way for his successor, Papa V Perpetua, the time has come for a new collection of songs to grace our ears: Skeletá.
Right off the bat, where previous record Impera was a bombastic tale about the cyclical nature of an empire’s rise and inevitable fall, Skeletá, instead, opts for a highly introspective set of songs. Having said that, the usual notes of a Ghost album are still present, from the theatrical to the absurd and everything inbetween. The ‘80s AOR sound that became Impera’s beating heart is here again, something which is immediately noticed in the first track: Peacefield. Having become the current tour opener, it allows Tobias Forge & co. to start each show in a bombastic fashion, prompting fans to point out the similarities between it and classic Journey track Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).
By now, fans have also devoured the two previous singles, Satanized and Lachryma. The former features an almost mournful guitar melody during the verses, contrasting with the sheer earworm factor of each chorus’ “Blasphemy! Heresy” Save me!”, while the latter fuses this current arena-rock sound with a more Black Sabbath-inspired groove previously heard during the Meliora era (remember Cirice?).
The ‘80s rock influences continue throughout: Missilia Amori will get everyone cheering along and clapping their hands with its stomping drums (and KISS-inspired lyrical prowess), and Marks of the Evil One is also a sure candidate for a live staple, especially with its fun delivery of “There! There! Watch!” in each chorus. De Profundis Borealis sees its keyboard intro eventually make way for a wholly rousing track, replete with NWOBHM sounding duelling guitar harmonies, while Cenotaph is a slower-paced yet hopeful number that’s sure to make listeners smile.
Elsewhere, the power ballad Guiding Lights is among the most introspective tracks on offer, with its acoustic opening eventually giving way to a gradual build (“The road that leads to nowhere is long”), while closing track Excelsis also tackles the ephemeral nature of everything in life, especially that of a Ghost frontman’s character (“It is the end”/“I am afraid of eternity, too”).
The only track that proves to overstay its welcome in any way, sadly, is Umbra, another song which has been unveiled for the masses attending the current tour. We’ve all seen the classic “more cowbell” SNL skit, and it is nice to hear the maligned instrument make an appearance, but there was no need to keep hammering it for that much of the track. Otherwise, it’s a pretty good song, especially with its instrumental battle section, which is undoubtedly a treat to experience live.
To conclude: Tobias Forge & co. have managed to put out yet another great record with Skeletá. Continuing off the sounds established by past albums while also revisiting some past eras, this new effort once again proves that, in spite of the haters, Ghost are here to stay, and will only get bigger. Hats off, Tobias, you’ve done it again!
9/10
Standout Tracks: Peacefields, Lachryma, Satanized, Missilia Amori, Marks of the Evil One
For Fans Of: Ghost, Journey, Iron Maiden, Blue Öyster Cult, Whitesnake
Written by: Florin Petrut
