Skeletá

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.

There are those in the world folks like to refer to as “old souls”; Skeletá is the LP equivalent to that characterization, an anachronistically fresh piece of work that mimics the aspirant, rebellious spirit of wild, bygone years of bad hair, terrible politics, and even worse economic policies.

There are bands that lavish in the fondue of modern hard rock without the cheese, but not Ghost. Ghost is fun.

Skeleta is the band’s most immediate and accessible release to date, it is also perhaps the least satisfying to early impressions, and recommends itself to a certain level of patience, paired with a prudent refusal to make the unflattering comparison to stronger versions of Ghost that populate their back catalogue. All issues thrust aside, listeners are left with a fun-loving, tasty-snack version of Ghost, regrettably lacking in satisfying meatiness, but absolutely caked in pretty frosting to make up for it.

As strong as much of Skeletá is, Ghost’s usual contagious energy feels depleted. Its more measured approach does lend an appealing atmosphere of sadness that looms over the entire record, but fans will be clamoring for more energy and menace amidst the garishness next time around.