Brain Rot: First Thoughts of Ghost’s Album “Skeleta”

By: Hannah Williams

Hello my ghouls, gals and they/them pals! Another new format I’m trying once again at UCI Music Writers (bare with me here). 

Ghost B.C. is my favorite band (of all time) and they just came out with a new album titled “Skeleta.” If you are a fan already that is amazing! If you’re wanting to get into new music I totally suggest them! Viewer discretion advised, though, they are a satanic band from sweden with built in fictionalized lore for the band and all are anonymous except the front runner: Tobias Forge. The man, the myth, the legend. 

Here’s a link if you wanted a fan made documentary and learn more (they’ve been constant since 2010 it’s quite an interesting deep dive): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdrpJ6GcI60

Anyways, with this new album out, and as a big fan, I thought I would do a fun thing and just list all my first reactions when listening to each song. And I mean every first thought… A lot of it nonsense, but it is a fun little piece so I hope you enjoy. 

Peacefield

• back in the church again… I’m getting flashbacks

• Ooooh the choir

• Waiting for the infamous drop

• Born again👀👀

• A good way to start off the album 

• Who’s afraid of??

• He’s trying to tell us something I can feel it in my nuggets

• Goes hard

• The solooooooo

Lachryma

• stranger things spooky dookie opening

• There’s the infamous guitar I know so well

• Oh Tobias is done with someone’s shit

• Didn’t he take a year off social media to write this album I read that somewhere

• Oh the stop-and-go is fire best goes hard

• IM DONEEEE CRYINGGGG

• What feeds👀👀

• His voice is so unique the ‘crying’ part is perfected

Satanized

• start of a new story

• He’s heavy on the vocals I love it

• Uh oh new papa being corrupted

• HEARASY

• SAVE MEEEEE god Tobias has an angelic voice all things considered 

• Background Haunts is such a good choice

• Guitarrrrrr

• How does he perfect it all I don’t get it

Guiding Lights

• His voice is literally breaking up when singing man is dedicated

• A Don’t Give Up song?

• Oh fuck the guitar solo always hits

• I’m levitating

• Light as a feather stiff as a board type shit

De Profound Borealis

• There is a little piano moment before the guitar solo

• “In a palace built off frozen tears” ATE

• BUILDING MOMENTUM

• keeps accelerating throughout

• Ooooh that high note

Cenotaph

• 80s futuristic sight vibe 

• Electric piano to guitar this is new

• “Devour with me”

• “MOMENttt” Ooh that was a nice sync of the members”

• Tobias always knows when exactly to hit a high note

• Guitar riffff I know that Sodo or the other

• Feels like an end of a movie sequence I’m sad

• “Wherever I go you’re always there right next to me” Helpppp

Missilla Amori 

• Ooooh spicy start

• Possessive?

• Guys let me live out my y/n fantasy

• “Excite me with your demise”

• Damn he down bad

• LOVE ROCKETSSS (translating the title took longer than I care to admit considering I took two years of Latin)

• Dark romance aesthetic

• This one is my favorite I can tell already

• “Wherever you may hide away I’m going to hunt you down”

• Tobias’ wife is a lucky woman 

• The guitar is at the forefront of this album so far is it not? I thought it was going to take a backseat this trip but not complaining

• He’s very much experimenting with instruments 

Marks of the Evil One

• The 80s fight scene opening I love this electric piano 

• The storytelling aesthetic is Iconic as usual

• Hades mention!!’

• I love how he takes inspiration from past iconic songs you can see it hinted throughout. 

• He’s having fun with this one lol “Abracadabra”

• Guitar!!!

• Oooh the breath release was a good touch

• Riff off!!! I wonder which two are going at it

• Cannot wait to see this one live seems like a finale piece

• Watcher of the Skies sibling almost

Umbra

• “flash ahhhhh” type of opening (Flash Gordon)

• Stranger things too

• More cowbell!!!

• Oh this is a dance beat

• The cowbell is killing me

• I don’t want this album to end it’s too short

• Oooh the drums make an appearance 

• The dance break is definitely a costume change during the ritual I’m scared

• “CHOSEN SON””?!?!?!!??

• Copia no:((((((

Excelsis

• the end?!? 

• Boy I wish

• They gonna kill off Copia…

• It does hurt Tobias you have to pay for my therapy

• Don’t go Copia!!!! Don’t follow the light

• I’m ugly sobbing with my papa plushie

• These songs are placed very carefully in the album

• Excel at what Tobias 

• The guitar solo is sad :(

• Feels like a goodbye song

In conclusion, Tobias Forge is a genius thank you for listening to my TED talk. I am in the .1% of Spotify listeners for this album and it’s only been out for 4 days. Talk about a hyperfixation. Stream “Skeleta” and let me know which one is your favorite! Happy listening!