Heralding the arrival of SKELETÁ is its commanding lead single, “Satanized,” accompanied by a chilling music video that introduces GHOST’s newest leader, Papa V Perpetua. His ascension, foreshadowed by the recent “V is Coming!” campaign, was solidified during a grand Sin City gathering where he was crowned.
The track itself is a hypnotic onslaught of infectious hooks and harmonies, with its protagonist succumbing to dark forces, acknowledging their own descent into blasphemy and heresy. The opening line—“There is something inside me, and they don’t know if there is a cure”—shifts from internal monologue to an inescapable siren song. By then, resistance is futile: the listener has been “Satanized.”
Adding to the experience, today also sees the launch of The Satanizer, a groundbreaking interactive music video experience. Developed in collaboration with Jason Zada (Elf Yourself), The Satanizer allows fans to immerse themselves in the video’s eerie narrative. By uploading a photo, users receive a personalized clip in which they themselves are transformed, ready to share their “Satanized” identity across social media.
The origins of SKELETÁ trace back to the conclusion of GHOST’s extensive IMPERA world tour—a monumental run that saw the album dominate global charts, secure an American Music Award and an iHeart Radio Music Award, and earn the band its first RIAA-certified platinum single with “Mary on a Cross.” It also solidified their presence in cinema history with Rite Here Rite Now, the highest-grossing hard rock film event in North America. As this whirlwind era came to a close, GHOST mastermind Tobias Forge embarked on an introspective creative journey, ultimately crafting SKELETÁ: a deeply personal collection of 10 new tracks that cut as close to the bone as possible.
Where previous GHOST records have explored grand historical and societal themes—such as IMPERA’s examination of the rise and fall of empires or Prequelle’s reflections on the devastation of plagues—SKELETÁ turns inward. Its lyrics navigate intimate emotional landscapes, each song offering a one-on-one dialogue, at times as though conversing with oneself in a mirror. The result is a strikingly personal yet universally resonant body of work.
Bringing SKELETÁ to life, GHOST is set to embark on their most ambitious tour yet: the SKELETOUR WORLD TOUR 2025. Spanning over 55 dates, with more to be announced, the tour’s first leg includes a milestone moment—GHOST’s first-ever headlining show at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. With tickets selling rapidly, the SKELETOUR WORLD TOUR 2025 promises to introduce the band’s immersive live ritual to its largest and most diverse audience yet.
From longtime devotees to first-time attendees, outcasts, and those seeking refuge in GHOST’s theatrical world, all are welcome to be part of the phantasmagoric spectacle.
As GHOST’s following continues to expand, the band’s unique ability to forge deep connections with its global community is undeniable. Described by The Los Angeles Times as “one of the best live acts in the business” and hailed by The Wall Street Journal as “the next generation of arena stars,” GHOST stands as a singular force in modern rock—a band whose lore, mystique, and music transcend the ordinary, uniting fans in an unparalleled shared experience.
Pre-order the album here.
Oran O’Beirne
www.overdrive.ie 2025
