This is IMPERA, the fifth studio album by Swedish band Ghost. Led by the talented Tobias Forge, the band retains the characteristics that have helped them establish themselves as one of today's leading heavy metal bands (even if you don't consider Ghost heavy metal).
IMPERA is grandiose, less gloomy than its predecessor Prequelle released in 2018, less pop too, or not... it depends on your personal taste. It relies heavily on catchy choruses, catchy melodies and a sound that's getting closer and closer to AOR and hard rock, leaving aside that initial bet on the macabre that deep down hid a very Swedish pop. But it has to be said that everything Forge and his band do is exquisite, and it's not just today that the band delivers excellent albums, from tasteful covers to a sound full of its own identity that pleases most of its fans.
Although IMPERA didn't please me as much as other Ghost albums, I can't say that it isn't an above-average work, songs like Spillways a real hit, as well as Hunter's Moon another sensational hit, the fun ballad Darkness at the Heart of my Love set the tone for the quality of this latest work by the Swedes.
If you're a Ghost fan you'll certainly like this fifth album, if you're a bate you'll certainly hate it, if you're open-minded listen and I think you'll have a good time with IMPERA.
@thebandghost
Year: 2022
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