IMPERA

Now for Ghost's latest full release I listened to it when it first came out and I honestly don't remember much. Strangely soon after I just never touched the band other than random tracks thrown my way by shuffling. So I am basically coming in almost blind. Let's see how this one goes.

Imperium:
Got a bit of marching drums with the soaring guitar. Not the most impressive intro they have done it does the job I guess. (60)

Kaisarion:
Oh boy you thought they were leaning into 80's metal before, just wait until you hear that falsetto scream! Yeah this sounds like it's plucked straight from the golden days of classic metal. But kinda fails to capture the magic that made those bands so damn legendary. It's good, but it's not my ghost. I appreciate the change in direction tho. It just doesn't land for me personally. (55)

Spillways:
They are really leaning into the 80's metal campiness in this album aren't they? I don't mind, I like this kind of music well enough. But this is the 2020's and past a nostalgia act this doesn't work as well as it did back in the day. (50)

Call Me Little Sunshine:
Don't get me wrong this album is fine for what it is, but it's leaning just a bit too far into the theatrics that it feels almost like a parody. I just feel left behind in this new direction they are pursuing. They had something great in their last album almost perfecting the formula it seemed that they were slowly crafting up to that point. Now they abandon that path and go...this way. IDK how I feel about it other than kinda disappointed. (50)

Hunter's Moon:
This is the most Ghosty track on the list so far. Even then, it's almost a familiar stranger with similar qualities to an old friend. It is just not hitting how I would like it to. (55)

Watcher in the Sky:
Ok this is more of the old Ghost that I am fonder of. Got the heavy riffs, but we are still very much lacking the catchy melodies. It's all pretty forgettable. The chorus is fine but not very impressionable like a lot of their previous work that just effortlessly gets you singing and dancing along. It's just not the same...(60)

Dominion:
Like the horns. Kinda sad to say but this interlude is the best track of my experience so far. And it's not really even that good. (65)

Twenties:
Big Band? Can't say they aren't experimenting with this album. Oh there's the heavy riffs, ok now with a spooky synth and a manly "OOH" this is more the ghost that I am fond of. Lots of cool stuff happening here. A rare occurrence of the nasty demon vocals has arrived! And look at that they manage to make the cheesiness charming for the chorus! Is Ghost back? Did they just need a lot of warm up to get back into their mojo? And they actually are making something...Fun??? THEY ARE BACK! At least for this track cause this one friggin hits for me. But I wouldn't be surprised if people stay hating cause of the cheese that's always been a part of Ghosts identity as a band. This is easily the strongest track yet. Hopefully it's good from here. (75)

Darkness at the Heart of My Love:
Whoa! I freaking forgot about this song! It's so dramatic and cool and emotionally striking! The build up and the soaring chorus! Now THIS! THIS is my Ghost! I missed you guys! We are so fucking BACK! It's just so ridiculously epic that I can't help but get swept into the grandeur of it all it's so freaking COOL! (90)

Griftwood:
Is it groovy? Yes. Does it have that Ghosty Flavor that I enjoy alot? Yes. Is the chorus actually catchy for once? Yes. Is it cheesy AF? Yes. Is it dramatic? Yes. Is it good? YAAAAAAAASSSSSSSS!!!( I wish they did a big scream at the end of the chorus cause that would be cool.) (85)

Bite of Passage:
A cool lil interlude nice and spooky. Just how I like it. (60)

Respite on the Spitalfields:
They have very nicely blended the Ghost sound with classic metal by this point of the experience. It's a nice new dynamic that I was hesitant on at first but have warmed up quite well to. This is not bad at all. Is it their best offering? I don't think so personally but they are keeping things fresh over a decade into their career which isn't very easy to do. So despite a hiccup or two, they managed to create a pretty solid release with a good impactful ending. (75)

780/12= 65 hey look, an actual solid score I don't have to manipulate.