After satanic prayers and concept albums about the plague and power politics, "Skeletá" marks a transition to something more personal.
Although the occult framework remains, the songs on Ghost's new album deal with things like love, hate, hope, and desire – fundamental human emotions. Is it his own emotional life that Tobias Forge is singing about this time?
Yes, that's it. Since it's introspective, it comes from within. I think I can personally relate to all the emotions, he says.
The album also introduces a new stage character. Ghost's new frontman and anti-pope is called Papa V Perpetua. Forge doesn't want to reveal too much about him yet, except that he is the twin brother of his predecessor, Cardinal Kopia.
I haven't gotten to know him yet, so I don't actually know much about him.
"Seeking effects"
When the interview is conducted, the Pope – i.e., the one in Rome – is ill. A few weeks later, he passes away. In other words, there's a leadership change underway in the opposing team as well.
Among less sensitive organs in our larger organization, there's probably a desire for that to coincide to make a good headline, says Tobias Forge.
No good idea, he adds.
There's a certain kind of attention you don't want. It would be seeking effects, which is ironic when we talk about the context we're in. But the thing is that I've spent 15 years trying to explain that we have a somewhat unpleasant image to spread a humanistic message.
"Want to be very private"
He has no plans to abandon the "unpleasant image". Despite his real identity being revealed several years ago, he will never release an "Unmasked" or appear on stage in jeans and a flannel shirt.
I see no use or joy in it at all. When I'm social, I'm social, but I also have another side that wants to be very private. So I like the balance that is now.
In the world where he grew up, it's not unusual with makeup and theater, but rather the norm.
For music enthusiasts who don't have a background in hard rock and extreme metal, I think Ghost appears more exotic than it actually is. Where I come from, this is super normal.
"Skeletá" is released on Friday.
Metal band formed in Linköping in 2006.
Singer and songwriter Tobias Forge, with his new alias Papa V Perpetua, is the only remaining original member. He has also played in bands such as Repugnant.
Previous studio albums: "Opus eponymous" (2010), "Infestissumam" (2013), "Meliora" (2015), "Prequelle" (2018), "Impera" (2022).
Ghost has received significant international attention with their melodic hard rock. Won a US Grammy in 2016 for the song "Circle". Was recently nominated for the song "Call me little sunshine".
The breakup between Forge and four former musicians resulted in a financial lawsuit in court in 2018, which was decided in Forge's favor.
