Since their first album release in 2010, Ghost has aged like fine wine as they seem to improve exponentially with each new album. The most recent release, Impera, is no different. This behemoth of an album is filled to the brim with catchy riffs and great songs and may very well be the best Ghost album up until this point.

The album starts out right with the opening instrumental titled Imperium. The acoustic guitar with the heavier riff layered on top sets the table perfectly for what is to come on the album. The next song, Kaisarion, is a direct throwback to the eighties with a catchy riff and prog influences. Not to mention, the lyrics tell an incredible story about the Egyptian philosopher, Hypatia and how she met her demise. Kaisarion made its debut on Ghost’s tour before the album, however the song was not released as a single.  The third song, Spillways is a perfect example of the Swedish influence on Ghost. With a piano riff that is almost reminiscent of ABBA, and a catchy vocal melody, this song is a fan favorite on this album. The fourth song on the album continues the trend of catchy songs on this album. As the most successful single on the album, the fourth song titled Call me Little Sunshine, has a catchy acoustic guitar riff driving the song forward, along with layered vocals that makes this song the most haunting and foreboding on the album.

Next up on the album is Hunters Moon, which was released as the first single on the album and understandably so. The driving guitar melody and piano motifs are perfect for a brighter song coming after the darkness of Call me Little Sunshine. The sixth song on the album, Watcher in the Sky, gives the listener a song with a powerful guitar melody and chorus with a galloping drumbeat layered underneath along with deep lyrics regarding humanity’s search for a divine power. 

After a brief transition track titled Dominion, the third single, Twenties eases off on the guitar and bases itself around orchestral themes and ominous background vocals. The song is very reminiscent of a theme song for a Disney villain which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This song is definitely the oddball on the album but is still good nonetheless. The ninth song on the album slows things down as the mainly acoustic guitar based song, Darkness at the Heart of my Love is next in line. This soft love ballad is the love song that every album needs. Following this track is Griftwood which goes back to electric guitar based melodies. This song is filled with some of the most elaborate guitar playing and soloing that has ever been seen in an album up until now. After another transition track, the final and possibly best track on the album, Respite on the Spitalfields closes the album perfectly. This song about Jack the Ripper brings the album to a conclusion with a fadeout and a call back to the riff previously seen on the album’s first track.

Overall, Impera is likely the best and most consistent album Ghost has released to date. The songs are different enough to give the album variety but just similar enough to keep a theme with the album. This album’s religious and political themes run deep as the beautiful instrumentation backs up these well written lyrics. Even if you aren’t a fan of 80s style rock, still go ahead and give Impera a listen. This album is incredible and worth your time.