Unearthing the Introspection of 'Skeletá' by Ghost
Rock Specter Ghost Embarks on Tour for New Album 'Skeletá' - Ghost, the renowned hard rock outfit, unveils their latest album titled "Skeletá" and embarks on a tour.
Originating as an under-the-radar project more than two decades ago, the Swedish hard rock band Ghost is now packing large venues globally. With their unique fusion of classic hard rock, heavy metal, and a theatrically hilarious show that transcends the stage, the ensemble led by frontman Tobias Forge has become a notorious sensation in recent years. Their sixth album, "Skeletá," is set to drop, and they're taking it on tour.
In a chat with the German Press Agency in London, Forge (44), decked out as a dark Pope caricature, urged the audience to dance.
Title as a Symbol of Change
Ghost's previous studio albums spewed tales of complex epics dealing with themes like the rise and fall of empires, power, faith, and death. For "Skeletá," the title symbolizing change, Forge aimed to simplify. Interludes and instrumental pieces are absent on the album. Lyrically, the direction has subtly shifted.
"I desired to keep the lyrics simpler: one song about love, one about hate, one about hope, acceptance, regret," says Forge, who credits heavy metal and musical theater as his inspirations. "That doesn't mean I completely walk away from social criticism."
More Melodic & Show-stopping Hard Rock
Over the years, Ghost's sound, albeit unintentionally, has grown increasingly melodic and radio-friendly. Forge explains, "The best thing that can occur is when you compose a song and instantly feel, 'It's done' - and it's also exactly 3:30 long."
"Dance Macabre," the catchy Ghost single from 2018, doesn't appear on "Skeletá," but melodic undertones persist. "Skeletá" offers ten compact hard rock songs with sharp guitar riffs, infectious choruses, and a slight retro touch.
Stellar Tracks include "Peacefield" with a divine-sounding choir intro, the single "Lachryma" with a fine synthesizer sound, and "Umbra" with potent keyboard intro, cowbell, and organ sounds that resonate.
The band is currently on a German tour, during which fans can once again watch their spectacular, Catholic Church-satirizing show, which features a phone ban, a decision that stirred some controversy. Tobias Forge defends the move, stating, "It's about reconnecting and experiencing the moment." Concertgoers should put down their devices and immerse themselves in the performance.
The humble-appearing Tobias Forge, known for his masked Ghost frontman persona and frequent identity shifts, takes the stage as Papa V Perpetua. His bandmates, the so-called "Nameless Ghouls," remain ghostly anonymous.
- Notorious
- London
- Heavy Metal
- Phone Ban
- Germany
- Single
- German Press Agency
- Pope
- Faith
- Death
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
Lyrical Focus of 'Skeletá'
The "Skeletá" album from Ghost takes a more introspective approach compared to their previous works, delving into themes of guilt, identity, faith, and failure rather than dwelling solely on societal collapse or external themes[1]. This introspection is evident in the band's continued exploration of religious and mystical imagery, but with a deeper emphasis on personal struggle. Despite the album's conceptual nature, some critics have noted that the songwriting can be somewhat blunt, especially when compared to the nuanced musical arrangements[4].
Musical Focus of 'Skeletá'
Musically, "Skeletá" marks a significant evolution for Ghost. The album incorporates chaotic yet refined instrumentation, blending hard rock with infectious pop elements and polished late-70s AOR influences[4][5]. Tracks like "Peacefield" and "Lachryma" showcase baroque choral elements and shimmering synths, while "Guiding Lights" employs mournful atmospherics and acoustic plucking[5]. The album's sound is described as Ghost's most confident and flamboyant, but it also explores new territories with synth work and subtle funk, as seen in "Umbra"[4][5].
Comparison with Previous Works
Compared to their earlier albums, "Skeletá" diverges by focusing more on internal conflict rather than external societal critiques. Prior albums like "Prequelle" and "Impera" often explored themes of death, morality, and social upheaval more overtly. While "Skeletá" still touches on these themes, particularly in its imagery of demonic spirits and moral compass navigation, it does so in a more personal and introspective manner[4]. The band's use of religious imagery remains, but it is now intertwined with themes of love, identity, and failure in a way that is both theatrical and deeply personal[1][4].
Themes of Religion, Death, and Social Criticism
- Religion: The album maintains Ghost's characteristic use of religious imagery but in a more introspective manner, focusing on personal faith and guilt rather than broader religious commentary.
- Death: While death is not as central a theme as in earlier works, "Skeletá" does address mortality through its exploration of what remains when external masks are shed.
- Social Criticism: Social critique is less prominent in "Skeletá," with the album instead concentrating on internal struggles and the psychological subtleties of personal identity and faith[1][3].
- Ghost, known for their controversial identity shifts and Catholic Church-satirizing show, enact a phone ban during their German tour, sparking controversy and adding to their notorious reputation.
- The German Press Agency in London interviewed Tobias Forge, decked out as a dark Pope caricature, who urged fans to dance and highlighted his desire for simpler lyrics in the band's latest album, "Skeletá."
- The introspective "Skeletá" album from Ghost delves into themes of guilt, identity, faith, and failure, marking a departure from their previous works that focused more on societal collapse.
- With infectious pop elements and polished late-70s AOR influences, "Skeletá"'s hard rock songs exhibit both Ghost's confidence and flamboyance as well as their exploration of new territories, such as synth work and subtle funk.
