Skeletá by Ghost – album review

Monster Shop Score: 85/100

Ghost’s sixth studio album, Skeletá, is a grand, theatrical journey through hard rock, pop metal, and arena-ready hooks. It’s bold, introspective, and at times surprisingly tender. While the band leans into familiar sounds, they also push into new emotional territory, delivering a record that’s both instantly catchy and quietly complex. If you love Ghost’s blend of darkness and melody, this is an album you won’t want to miss.

Release Details and Notable Facts

Skeletá arrived on 25 April 2025, released by Loma Vista Recordings. Tobias Forge (under his latest guise, Papa V Perpetua) leads the charge, working with a team of producers: Gene Walker, Max Grahn, Martin Sandmark Eriksson, Vincent Pontare, and Salem Al Fakir. The album clocks in at just under 47 minutes, packed with ten tracks that pull from hard rock, arena rock, pop rock, and pop metal.

Not only did Skeletá become Ghost’s first album to top the US Billboard 200, but it also made history as only the second Swedish artist to do so since Ace of Base in 1993. The album’s release was supported by the ambitious “Skeletour,” a 55-date world tour spanning Europe, North America, and Mexico. The band even stirred controversy by banning mobile phones at shows, which only added to the mystique.

Ghost: A Quick Refresher

Ghost, formed in Linköping, Sweden in 2006, have always thrived on spectacle. Tobias Forge, the mastermind behind the ever-changing Papa Emeritus personas, has led the band through a string of acclaimed albums: Opus Eponymous, Infestissumam, Meliora (read more), Prequelle, Impera, and now Skeletá. Each record brings a new chapter, a new mask, and a fresh twist on Ghost’s signature mix of occult imagery, theatrical flair, and arena-sized tunes.

With Skeletá, Ghost introduce Papa V Perpetua, a new figurehead who steps into the spotlight on lead single Satanized. The album follows the 2023 EP Phantomime and builds on the introspection and grandeur of Impera.

Musical Style and Themes

From the very start, Skeletá makes its intentions clear. Peacefield opens with a haunting children’s choir before bursting into a chorus that wouldn’t sound out of place on a classic Journey or Survivor album. The guitars shimmer and the synths soar, all while Forge’s vocals remain front and centre. The production leans into 1980s nostalgia, yet it never feels stuck in the past. Instead, the band blend retro influences with modern polish, creating something that’s both familiar and fresh.

Lyrically, this is Ghost’s most introspective work yet. While previous albums revelled in satire and blasphemy, Skeletá turns inward. Themes of mortality, loss, longing, and spiritual darkness weave through the record. Satanized explores the thin line between love and possession, while Lachryma uses gothic metaphors to tackle heartbreak and hope. Guiding Lights is a moving power ballad about searching for meaning, and Excelsis closes the album with a bittersweet meditation on death and acceptance.

Musically, the album dances between hard rock, pop metal, and stadium-sized ballads. Tracks like Missilia Amori channel Kiss’s tongue-in-cheek swagger, while Marks of the Evil One and Cenotaph bring classic metal riffs and driving rhythms. The band aren’t afraid to experiment either—Umbra features a swirling organ jam and shifting tempos, showing off Ghost’s playful side.

Standout Tracks

Firstly, Peacefield is a stunning opener, setting the stage with its mix of innocence and bombast. Secondly, Lachryma stands out for its melodic hooks and dynamic guitar work. Meanwhile, Satanized is pure Ghost: catchy, theatrical, and just a bit sinister.

Guiding Lights and Excelsis showcase the band’s softer, more reflective side, with lush arrangements and heartfelt vocals. Umbra deserves special mention for its adventurous structure and hypnotic groove. Not only that, but Missilia Amori brings a cheeky sense of fun, making it a likely fan favourite at live shows.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Skeletá shines when Ghost embrace both their theatrical roots and their pop sensibility. The production is crisp, the hooks are huge, and the musicianship is top-notch. Forge’s vocals are expressive and commanding, particularly on the album’s emotional peaks.

However, some listeners might find the album plays it a bit safe. Several tracks revisit familiar Ghost territory, and a few moments feel like echoes of past glories rather than bold new statements. The pacing, too, can drag in places, especially during the album’s gentler stretches. Nevertheless, the songwriting is strong enough to keep you engaged throughout.

Where Does Skeletá Fit in Ghost’s Story?

Compared to earlier records like Meliora (full story here) or Prequelle, Skeletá is less about shock and more about soul-searching. The band’s sound is bigger and glossier than ever, yet there’s a vulnerability at its core that sets it apart. If Impera was Ghost’s statement on power and corruption, Skeletá is about what comes after—the reckoning, the grief, and, ultimately, the hope.

In the broader music landscape, Ghost remain in a league of their own. Few bands can mix occult drama, pop melodies, and tongue-in-cheek humour with such confidence. While Skeletá doesn’t rewrite the Ghost rulebook, it cements their status as masters of modern arena rock.

Tour and Live Experience

The Skeletour is already making headlines, not just for its scale but for the band’s bold decision to ban mobile phones at gigs. Fans can catch Ghost in cities across Europe, North America, and Mexico, with the tour running through September 2025. For tickets and more info, visit the official Ghost website.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Skeletá is a confident, emotionally rich album that plays to Ghost’s strengths while nudging their sound forward. It may not be their most daring release, but it’s certainly one of their most heartfelt. If you’re a fan of big choruses, gothic flair, and a bit of theatrical mischief, you’ll find plenty to love here.

To summarise, Ghost have delivered another memorable chapter in their ongoing saga. Skeletá might not convert every sceptic, but for believers, it’s a dark, glittering triumph.

Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are on Skeletá by Ghost. Did we miss anything? Share your experiences and join the conversation!