Jump to content

Skeletá

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Lachryma)

Skeletá
Studio album by
Ghost
Released25 April 2025 (2025-04-25)
Genre
Length46:43
LabelLoma Vista
ProducerGene Walker
Ghost chronology
Phantomime
(2023) 		Skeletá
(2025)
Singles from Skeletá
  1. "Satanized"
    Released: 5 March 2025
  2. "Lachryma"
    Released: 11 April 2025
  3. "Peacefield"
    Released: 22 April 2025

Skeletá is the sixth studio album by the Swedish rock band Ghost. It was released on 25 April 2025 through Loma Vista Recordings, was preceded by the singles "Satanized", "Lachryma" and "Peacefield", and is notable for being the band's first album to top the US Billboard 200. The album was produced by the band's leader Tobias Forge under an alias "Gene Walker."

Release

[edit]

Skeletá follows up the band's 2022 studio album Impera and is described as their "most unflinchingly introspective work to date". It was reported to include lyricism of "the newly instated Perpetua" and showcase a variety of "distinct individual emotional vistas".[1] The band announced the album alongside the release of the lead single "Satanized" on 5 March 2025.[2][3][4] Accompanying visuals were developed by the band alongside Jason Zada and enables fans to be integrated into the video.[3] The album's second single, "Lachryma", was released on 11 April 2025.[5] The album's third single, "Peacefield", was released on 22 April 2025.[6]

Alongside the album announcement, the band revealed the new figurehead for the band called Papa V Perpetua.[2] His vocal debut on the lead single "Satanized" was said to concern "demonic possessions" and succumbs to "dark forces".[1]

Composition and themes

[edit]

Musically, the album has been described as hard rock,[7][8][9] arena rock,[9][10] pop rock,[11] and glam metal.[12] The album has been described as Ghost's most introspective' album.[13] Speaking about the album's themes, Sydney Taylor of Loudwire wrote, "It's a constant reckoning with guilt, identity, faith and failure."[14]

Promotion

[edit]

In promotion of the album, the band has embarked on the Skeletour concert tour, consisting of 55 dates starting at the AO Arena in Manchester on 15 April 2025 and ending at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City on 24 September 2025. The tour encompasses dates in the United States, Europe, and Mexico and is said to celebrate their "most spectacular live productions" as well as the "most ambitious run of their career".[15]

Somewhat controversially, the band decided not to allow mobile phones in the venues for the tour. This led to a massive accumulation of attendees ahead of their show in Birmingham, England, as staff searched bags for phones.[16]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Skeletá debuted on top of the US Billboard 200, shifting 86,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, with the album selling 77,000 copies.[17] Skeletá marks the second time a performing Swedish artist reached the top of the Billboard 200, following Ace of Base's The Sign in 1993.[18][19]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?6.4/10[20]
Metacritic78/100[21]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Blabbermouth.net8/10[11]
Classic Rock[10]
Dork4/5[22]
The Irish Times[12]
Kerrang!4/5[23]
NME[24]
Paste8/10[9]
Slant Magazine[25]
Sputnikmusic4/5[26]

On Metacritic, a review aggregator site that compiles reviews from mainstream publications and assigns a weighted average score out of 100, Skeletá received a score of 78 based on nine critic reviews. This score indicated "generally favorable reviews".[21] James Christopher Monger of AllMusic wrote, "There are bands that lavish in the fondue of modern hard rock without the cheese, but not Ghost. Ghost is fun."[8] Dom Lawson of Blabbermouth.net called it "aggressively entertaining and full of massive tunes that the cries."[11] Steven Loftin writing for Dork stated, "Skeleta continues to prove why Tobias and co are not only mainstays but so beloved."[22]

Kelly Scanlon of Ed Power of The Irish Times was also mixed stating, "Ghost have always spun the cheesiest ingredients into pop gold. But this hollowed-out affair is haunted by the spirits of old glories."[12] Sam Law of Kerrang! called it "Ghost's deepest, most intriguing statement to date."[23] Liberty Dunworth of NME wrote, "Through a rich exploration of genres and a new level of emotional depth, it becomes clear that ‘Skeletá’ was made with a new vision in mind, and comes as the promising start of a new Ghost chapter."[24]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Tobias Forge, with additional contributors noted.

Skeletá track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Peacefield"
5:40
2."Lachryma"Max Grahn
  • Walker
  • Grahn
4:36
3."Satanized"
  • Al Fakir
  • Pontare
  • Walker
  • Al Fakir
  • Pontare
3:56
4."Guiding Lights"Grahn
  • Walker
  • Grahn
3:24
5."De Profundis Borealis"Grahn
  • Walker
  • Grahn
4:32
6."Cenotaph"Grahn
  • Walker
  • Grahn
4:17
7."Missilia Amori" 
  • Walker
  • Pontare
4:31
8."Marks of the Evil One" 
  • Walker
  • Pontare
4:15
9."Umbra"Grahn
  • Walker
  • Grahn
5:31
10."Excelsis"Grahn
  • Walker
  • Grahn
6:01
Total length:46:43

Personnel

[edit]

Ghost

Additional[27]

  • Fredrik Åkesson – lead guitars (tracks 1-3, 6-9)
  • Salem Al Fakir – keyboards
  • Martin Sandmark Eriksson – rhythm guitars, additional instruments
  • Max Grahn – drums, additional instruments
  • Vincent Pontare – additional synths
  • Tove Burman – vocals (tracks 1, 3)
  • Anthony Nichols – choir
  • Per Larsson – choir
  • Olle Vidner – choir
  • Liv Howell – choir
  • Joel Eberhardsson – choir
  • Kristoffer Brander – choir
  • Glädje Kalle Olsson – choir
  • Jakob Grubbström – choir
  • Emilia Hildebrand – choir
  • Julia Fridberger – choir
  • Katrin Jocham – choir
  • Love Kihl – choir
  • Rebecka Brostedt – choir
  • Celina Larsson – choir
  • Freja Högemark – choir
  • Elisa Hedin – choir
  • Emilia Karlborg – choir
  • Susanna Appelgren – choir
  • Martin Classon – choir
  • Erik Uhlin – choir
  • August Goldhahn – choir

Technical

  • Andy Wallace – mixing
  • Dan Malsch – mixing
  • Ted Jensen – mastering, engineer
  • Max Grahn – producer
  • Gene Walker – producer
  • Martin Sandmark Eriksson – producer
  • Vincent Pontare – producer
  • Salem Al Fakir – producer
  • Mark Rankin – engineer
  • Niclas Lindström – engineer
  • Basma Jabbar – engineer
  • Wille Enblad – engineer
  • Martin Sandmark eriksson – engineer
  • Calle London Gustavsson – engineer

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Skeletá
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[28] 1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[29] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[30] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[31] 2
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[32] 2
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[33] 8
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[34] 23
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[35] 2
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[36] 1
French Albums (SNEP)[37] 4
French Rock & Metal Albums (SNEP)[38] 1
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[39] 1
German Rock & Metal Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[40] 1
Greek Albums (IFPI)[41] 1
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[42] 31
Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn)[43] 31
Irish Albums (IRMA)[44] 6
Italian Albums (FIMI)[45] 26
Japanese Western Albums (Oricon)[46] 30
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[47] 14
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[48] 2
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[49] 3
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[50] 20
Scottish Albums (OCC)[51] 3
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[52] 5
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[53] 1
Swedish Hard Rock Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[54] 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[55] 1
UK Albums (OCC)[56] 2
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[57] 1
US Billboard 200[58] 1
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[59] 1
US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (Billboard)[60] 1

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Adams, Gregory (5 March 2025). "Ghost intro Papa V Perpetua and announce new album with occult anthem "Satanized"". Revolver. Archived from the original on 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b Hadusek, Jon (5 March 2025). "Ghost announce new album Skeletá, unveil single "Satanized"". Consequence. Archived from the original on 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  3. ^ a b Childers, Chad (5 March 2025). "Ghost return with first new song + album of the Papa V Perpetua era". Loudwire. Archived from the original on 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Ghost Announces New Album Skeletá, Shares First Single 'Satanized'". Blabbermouth.net. 5 March 2025. Archived from the original on 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  5. ^ Garner, Emily (9 April 2025). "Ghost are teasing a new single, Lachryma". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Ghost Shares New Song 'Peacefield' From Upcoming 'Skeletá' Album". Blabbermouth.net. 22 April 2025. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  7. ^ Dillon, Ryan (22 April 2025). "As Papa V Perpetua Takes Over, Ghost Sound Shift On Conceptual 'Skeletá (Album Review)". Glide Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  8. ^ a b c James Christopher Monger. "Ghost Skeletá". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  9. ^ a b c Crump, Andy (22 April 2025). "Ghost Revel in Powerful Contrast on Skeletá". Paste. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  10. ^ a b Sharp, Johnny (20 April 2025). "After six albums of Beelzebub-bothering, Ghost's melodic metal is more tempting than ever". Classic Rock. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  11. ^ a b c Lawson, Dom (23 April 2025). "Ghost Skeletá". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  12. ^ a b c Power, Ed (25 April 2025). "Ghost: Skeletá review – Hair-metal tribute pop minus the killer tunes". The Irish Times. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  13. ^ "Ghost's Tobias Forge Wanted To Make A More 'Introspective' Album With 'Skeletá'". Blabbermouth.net. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  14. ^ Taylor, Sydney (24 April 2025). "7 Things We Love About Ghost's New Album 'Skeletá'". Loudwire. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  15. ^ Gonzalez, Ramon (4 March 2025). "Ghost Announce Sixth Full Length Studio Album, Skeletá". Knotfest. Archived from the original on 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  16. ^ "Ghost's "Phone-Free" Rule Causes Disturbance in Birmingham". Concerty.com. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  17. ^ Caulfield, Keith (4 May 2025). "Ghost Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With Skeletá". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  18. ^ "Ghost makes chart history in the US – new number one album". Sveriges Radio (in Swedish). TT News Agency. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  19. ^ Valsinger, Christel (5 May 2025). "Ghost Write Swedish Music History". Musikindustrin (in Swedish). IFPI Sverige. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  20. ^ "Skeletá by Ghost reviews". Any Decent Music?. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Skeletá by Ghost Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  22. ^ a b Loftin, Steven (30 April 2025). "Ghost – Skeletá". Dork. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  23. ^ a b Law, Sam (9 April 2025). "Album review: Ghost – Skeletá". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  24. ^ a b Dunworth, Liberty (23 April 2025). "Ghost – 'Skeletá' review: Tobias Forge strips back the spectacle and summons an introspective new chapter". NME. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  25. ^ Erickson, Steve (21 April 2025). "Ghost 'Skeletá' Review: Lackluster Tales of the Occult". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  26. ^ Dewinged (29 April 2025). "Review: Ghost (SWE) - Skeletá". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  27. ^ "Muso.ai". Muso.ai. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  28. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  29. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Ghost – Skeletá" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  30. ^ "Ultratop.be – Ghost – Skeletá" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  31. ^ "Ultratop.be – Ghost – Skeletá" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  32. ^ "Ghost dupe 1 Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  33. ^ "Lista prodaje (strano) 18. tjedan 2025. (28.04.2025. - 04.05.2025.)" (in Croatian). Top lista. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  34. ^ "Album Top-40 Uge 17, 2025". Hitlisten. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  35. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ghost – Skeletá" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  36. ^ "Ghost: Skeletá" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  37. ^ "Top 200 Albums du semaine 18, 2025" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  38. ^ "Top 100 Rock & Metal Albums du semaine 18, 2025" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  39. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Ghost – Skeletá" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  40. ^ "Official German Charts Top 20 Rock/Metal Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  41. ^ "Official IFPI Charts Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Combined) – Εβδομάδα: 20/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 21 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  42. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2025. 18. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  43. ^ "Tónlistinn – Plötur: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 18. Birt 3. maí 2025 – Næst uppfært 10. maí 2025" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 3 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  44. ^ "Albums Week 18 2025: Week Ending 9 May 2025". Irish Recording Music Association. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  45. ^ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 18 (dal 25.04.2025 al 01.05.2025)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  46. ^ "Weekly Western Music Album Ranking" (in Japanese). Oricon. 19 May 2025. Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  47. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  48. ^ "Album 2025 uke 18". IFPI Norge. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  49. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista sprzedaży - albumy" (in Polish). OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Note: Change the date to 25.04.2025–01.05.2025 under "zmień zakres od–do:". Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  50. ^ "Top 200 Álbuns Semana 18 de 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 2. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  51. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  52. ^ "LISTAS OFICIALES DE VENTAS - SEMANA 18: del 25.04.2025 al 01.05.2025". Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  53. ^ "Veckolista Album, vecka 18" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  54. ^ "Veckolista Hårdrock, vecka 18" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  55. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Ghost – Skeletá". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  56. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  57. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  58. ^ "Ghost dupe 1 Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  59. ^ "Ghost dupe 1 Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  60. ^ "Ghost (dupe 1) Chart History (Top Rock & Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Skeletá&oldid=1293925704"