Metal fans were surprised one Thursday morning, on January 20, with a new single from the band Ghost. On this day, they also announced their new album Impera, coming out on March 11, 2022. Ghost’s heavy metal band consists of frontman Tobias Forge or Papa Emeritus and the 7 Nameless Ghouls. The character of Papa has gone through five incarnations. After their fourth album, Papa was retired and replaced by a unique fellow named: Cardinal Copia (he was my favorite). The band is proclaimed Satanists, and essentially Papa Emeritus is the “anti-pope,” making the band the “anti-church” of the metal world.

Originally the band members were secret; no one knew who this guy or “Papa” was. The Swedish band has nabbed two Grammys for Best Hard Rock/ Metal Album in 2013 and Best Metal Performance in 2016. They have picked up in popularity throughout the years and climbed the charts with hits like Circe, Rats, Danse Macabre, and most recently, Call Me Little Sunshine. 

Call Me Little Sunshine is a wicked new edge to the band’s blade. Tobias has always leaned toward a heavy sound. Every lyric is filled with rich imagery. Ghost has always packed their music with allusions to ancient demons or an ode to the devilish one himself. In the single, Papa Emeritus takes on the form of Mephistopheles–an ancient german folklore demon–reaching out to the listener, offering to save them so they will never “walk alone.” 

Last year, Forge shared with KLAQ his process in developing the previous album: Prequelle. He said, “…it was going to be about the great death, a medieval, primordial threat of annihilation which was, I guess I wouldn’t say carnal but maybe a tiny tad more spiritual and philosophical death….” This idea translated into the album perfectly. Songs like Rats, Witch Image, or Dance Macabre all speak of the black plague and or impending doom. 

With the new album, Impera, Forge also explained, “I came up with the idea for this record, this upcoming record. Because I got a book called The Rule of Empires, So basically, I wanted to make a record about the rise, and ultimately the unescapable fails and falls of empires” Before Call Me Little Sunshine, Ghost released Hunters Moon, which appeared in the end credits of Halloween Kills. Both singles are very different, but both question the longevity of hunting for something more. 

Currently, Ghosts is on tour with Volbeat and Twin Temple. The last show is on March 3 in Anaheim–I will be there–and two weeks after the show, Impera will finally reach the public’s ears! I can’t wait to see how the whole album sounds. With a tracklist of 12, there isn’t an angle I don’t think Ghost will explore.