It’s been 15 years since Ghost emerged from the shadows with their theatrical blend of satanic pageantry and melodic metal. What could have easily become a one-note gimmick — The Clergy, the Nameless Ghouls, the shifting incarnations of Papa Emeritus — has instead grown into one of the most consistent and carefully managed acts in modern rock. Each album has built upon the last, refining the formula just enough to keep things interesting without losing sight of the band’s original concept.
On Skeletá, Tobias Forge — the mastermind behind Ghost — pushes further into pop territory without compromising the band’s heavy rock foundation. The choruses are bigger, the melodies sharper, and the production glossier than ever. But beneath the polish, the riffs still bite, the dual guitars still soar, and the drums still land with real weight. It’s a careful balancing act, and for the most part, it works.
Forge’s early reference points — Blue Öyster Cult, Mercyful Fate — haven’t been abandoned, but they’ve been filtered through a different lens this time. The dominant flavor here is ’80s hard rock, particularly the highly produced variety: Mutt Lange’s arena-filling sheen with Def Leppard, Beau Hill’s work with Ratt, Spencer Proffer’s W.A.S.P. gloss, and Desmond Child’s ear for hooks with Bon Jovi and Alice Cooper. Add to that the heavy melodicism of Dio and Dokken, and you have an album that knows exactly what it’s drawing from.
But Ghost isn’t simply recycling these sounds. The band’s slightly tongue-in-cheek darkness, theatrical flair, and tight songwriting make the album feel distinctly theirs. The songs are concise, packed with strong hooks, and never overstay their welcome. There are no drawn-out prog passages or indulgent detours — just focused, infectious rock with a dark edge.
Opener “Peacefield” is a mission statement of sorts, incorporating many of the album’s core elements: massive riffs, synth flourishes, a driving rhythm section, and a chorus that feels tailor-made for arena singalongs. “Lachryma” leans into a horror-inspired aesthetic, with eerie synths wrapped around a grimy hard rock riff. “Satanized” sits comfortably alongside these, continuing the same sonic palette with energy and bite.
“Guiding Lights” stands apart as one of the album’s most emotional moments. It’s a power ballad in the classic sense — melodic, theatrical, and vocally rich — and it showcases just how far Forge has come as a singer. His delivery is more emotive and confident than ever, adding real weight to the song’s grandeur.
“De Profundis Borealis” opens with a delicate piano motif before launching into powerful, melodic riffing. It’s a perfect example of how Ghost can blend subtlety and bombast without losing coherence. And “Cenotaph,” despite its cheerful metal bounce, continues the streak of strong, memorable tracks. It might be too light for fans pining for Ghost’s more menacing early sound, but those open to melody will find plenty to enjoy.
The back half of the album is less consistent. “Missile Amori” brings back the doom-laced drama, with a slow, crawling pace and an over-the-top chorus that lands well. It’s cheeky and heavy in equal measure — very much in Ghost’s wheelhouse.
“Marks of the Evil One” is where the album starts to lose steam. It’s not a bad song — it features another strong solo and decent melodies — but by this point, the sonic palette is starting to feel a little too cohesive. The downside of such a unified sound is that the weaker tracks don’t stand out, and this one ends up fading into the background.
“Umbra” begins with an intro that sounds like it could have fit on an 80's A-Ha album, suggesting a left-turn that doesn’t fully materialize. A chunky riff arrives to re-center the song, and touches of Ultravox and power metal keep it interesting, but it ultimately doesn’t reach the heights of the album’s early stretch. That said, the keyboard and guitar interplay toward the end is a highlight.
“Excelsis” closes the album on a surprisingly subdued note. It’s a ballad, and while pleasant, it feels less like a climactic conclusion and more like a gentle fade-out — effective in tone, but not entirely satisfying.
Despite some minor dips, this is another strong release from Ghost. The album is cohesive, tightly written, and full of memorable melodies. It might have benefited from being a touch shorter — trimming one or two of the later tracks would have made the whole thing land with more impact. Still, the record is clearly designed to translate to the largest stages possible, and it likely will. In a different era, several of these songs would’ve been massive radio hits.
What’s more intriguing is where Forge might take Ghost next. In recent interviews, he’s hinted at scaling back the band’s conceptual trappings. If that happens, will the music follow suit? Could Ghost exist in a more earnest, stripped-down form? Tracks like “Guiding Lights” suggest that such a shift might not be as far-fetched as it sounds.
For now, Skeletá shows that Ghost’s vision remains intact — and that Tobias Forge still knows how to write rock songs that stick. This album may not be a revolution, but it’s a confident continuation of one of modern metal’s most fascinating and accessible journeys.
Genre: Hard Rock
Release date: April 25th, 2025
Produced by: Gene Walker
Label: Loma Vista
Rating: 7/10
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