Hey there!

Ghost, a band that has never lost its strong foothold in occult rock since their debut, has returned with a new story, four years after their iconic album Prequelle. Released on March 11, 2022, IMPERA is described as ‘less dark and more theatrical’ compared to previous albums, while still staying true to Ghost’s essence. The album maintains an 80s influence while attempting to take a new step forward. This time, Opeth guitarist Fredrik Åkesson also makes an appearance.

Tobias Forge revealed that the inspiration for Ghost’s latest album came from a book about empires called The Rule of Empires. He explains that IMPERA is about “the rise of empires and ultimately their inevitable failure and collapse.”

The album opens with the duo of ‘Imperium’ and ‘Kaiserion,’ followed by ‘Spillways,’ which is a fusion of 80s pop and occult rock. From its opening, ‘Spillways’ brings to mind iconic tracks like ‘Toto-Hold The Line’ and ‘Bon Jovi-Runaways,’ making it a catchy and memorable song, especially with its chorus.

‘Call Me Little Sunshine,’ while enjoyable, doesn’t leave a strong impression. It features repetitive lyrics and stands out mainly due to its backing vocals and main riff. The tension changes highlighted by the backing vocals elevate the track.

‘Hunter’s Moon,’ the album’s first single, also serves as the closing soundtrack for David Gordon Green’s movie Halloween Kills. With its marching drum intro, groovy bass, and progressive instrumentation, ‘Hunter’s Moon’ is one of the album’s high-energy songs. The inevitable ABBA influence from Swedish bands is also evident here.

‘Watcher in the Sky’ is one of the standout tracks of the album, driven mainly by its main riff. It’s heavier than the previous tracks and has an exciting solo, though it occasionally gives off an Avenged Sevenfold vibe. While Ghost fans might debate this comparison, it’s undeniable that the two bands have toured together.

When we reach ‘Twenties,’ Ghost’s most theatrical side comes to the fore with a 2/4 rhythm reminiscent of dance music. The addition of strings adds a delightful touch, enhancing the theatrical vibe. However, the vocal melodies didn’t resonate with me as much. Ghost has always captivated audiences with their catchy choruses, and without them (as in this track), the impact is somewhat diminished.

Among the other tracks, ‘Darkness at the Heart’ is a ballad that structurally fits the bill but feels emotionally hollow. Despite Ghost’s ability to convey intense emotion even in their more upbeat songs, this track doesn’t quite hit the mark.

‘Griftwood’ sounds like it could have been played by Van Halen, with an intro nearly identical to ‘Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love.’ While influence is always welcome, it can sometimes come across as humorous. Beyond this, ‘Griftwood’ firmly establishes Ghost’s presence, with the ‘Holy Mother’ section particularly appreciated by fans. The emotional and dark ambiance, paired with whispers, suits the song well.

The album closes with ‘Respite on the Spitalfields,’ which reprises riffs from the opening track ‘Imperium.’ With its sorrowful melody, guitar solos, and bass lines, it makes for a strong closing track. However, it may be a bit too long. The repetition in ‘Call Me Little Sunshine’ and ‘Watcher in the Sky’ also makes the length more noticeable.

IMPERA is definitely not a bad album, but it’s hard to see it becoming a classic Ghost album. There seem to be too many filler tracks. While the songs are repetitive and not particularly memorable (I’ve mentioned that I believe Ghost relies heavily on being memorable), it’s uncertain whether IMPERA will leave as lasting an impression as Prequelle or Meliora. For those who haven’t listened yet, ‘Watcher in the Sky’ and ‘Spillways.’ are my humble recommendations. Happy listening!