User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 79
  2. Negative: 3 out of 79
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  1. Mar 11, 2022
    10
    Groomer virgin here :P It´s as high quality as it was before - catchy melodies, nice riffs and entertaining structures.
  2. Mar 12, 2022
    10
    Easily the best album of 2022. Its always good to see when a band can change and still be even better then before
  3. Mar 12, 2022
    10
    Some may feel like it's a major departure for Ghost, while others may feel it's an evolution. Either way, Impera is a massive album. This album has it all, catchy hooks, addicting choruses, and beautiful instrumental and vocal performances. While not as overtly satanic as previous work, this album is still full of dark and ominous messages. A fantastic album, front to back, with an epicSome may feel like it's a major departure for Ghost, while others may feel it's an evolution. Either way, Impera is a massive album. This album has it all, catchy hooks, addicting choruses, and beautiful instrumental and vocal performances. While not as overtly satanic as previous work, this album is still full of dark and ominous messages. A fantastic album, front to back, with an epic opening and closing and plenty of hits in-between. Expand
  4. Dec 31, 2022
    9
    Super album!
    Nice music - a popish bombastic rock with great atmosphere; great and deep lyrics; nice cover.
  5. Mar 12, 2022
    10
    This album is fantastic and ranks as one of the bands best. This isn’t opus eponymous or Meliora. It stands on its own. Risky and engaging from beginning to end
  6. Mar 15, 2022
    10
    Ghost keeps getting better. I love this album, and I love the direction their music is going in.
  7. Mar 18, 2022
    10
    I have listened to this album dozens of times. Every song is exceptionally catchy & well written, an amalgamation of influences & originality. I can't find any flaws... and you'd think I'd be noticing some after so many listenings. I have always appreciated Ghost but this is the first time I have found myself blown away by a new release.
  8. Mar 16, 2022
    7
    It's a good album but the many reviews calling it Ghost's best is just not correct - too much hype i guess. There are simply too many filler tracks on Impera to make it their best. It is, however, a solid record where the best tracks definitely are among the best songs the band has done. In my opinion these tracks are: Kaisarion (best song on the album), Call Me Little Sunshine andIt's a good album but the many reviews calling it Ghost's best is just not correct - too much hype i guess. There are simply too many filler tracks on Impera to make it their best. It is, however, a solid record where the best tracks definitely are among the best songs the band has done. In my opinion these tracks are: Kaisarion (best song on the album), Call Me Little Sunshine and Respite on the Spitalfields. Other good songs are Wacher in the Sky, Twenties (its just mad), Hunters Moon and Darkness at the Heart of My Love. On the other hand I find Spillways (that starts almost like the Pokemon theme song) and Griftwood (obvious Van Halen ripoff) to be pretty boring and generic and with 3 (!) short instrumentals on the album, that makes it nearly half the songs that dont really do it for me. Take off the 2 generic tracks + 2 of the instrumentals and replace them with good songs, then we could talk about Ghost best album. For now it ranks solidly behind Meliora and Prequlle. Expand
  9. Jan 26, 2023
    10
    Hello, this is a default review because i'm forced to use 75 characters. I'll edit this review in the future talking about the game, don't worry ;)

    My final rate is: 10
  10. Mar 22, 2022
    7
    The fifth studio album "IMPERA" by the Swedish hard rock band Ghost around Tobias Forge has surprisingly much pop rock in it instead of dominant hard rock or heavy metal. The record impresses with thrilling melodies, epic guitar riffs, a powerful production and catchy hooks.

    Sometimes Tobias Forge ventures a lot, but also this risky style is what defines the album. And even if some
    The fifth studio album "IMPERA" by the Swedish hard rock band Ghost around Tobias Forge has surprisingly much pop rock in it instead of dominant hard rock or heavy metal. The record impresses with thrilling melodies, epic guitar riffs, a powerful production and catchy hooks.

    Sometimes Tobias Forge ventures a lot, but also this risky style is what defines the album. And even if some songs could have been produced more purposefully or creatively, "IMPERA" still is an exciting and energetic record.

    My favorites:
    "Call Me Little Sunshine"
    "Spillways"
    "Kaisarion"

    ~ Fürstenberg
    March 22, 2022
    Expand
  11. Mar 11, 2022
    10
    9.5/10 ama 10 benim için üst düzey şarkı yazımı albümü bir bütün olarak dinleyince gerçekten harika
  12. Mar 23, 2023
    10
    If you want to imagine how commercial rock music of the 21st century should sound like, just listen to "Impera".
  13. Jun 4, 2023
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Nice and super album from a great group of metal THE GHOST....We love it ....amazing Expand
  14. Mar 17, 2022
    10
    great album, I liked it a lot, several songs stand out like Call Of The Sunshine, Hunter's Moon, Griftwood among others.
  15. Mar 13, 2022
    9
    This album makes complete sense in the career trajectory of Ghost. That being said, Tobias doesn't rest on his laurels; he goes full out. Every song is an absolute banger. Yeah, it's pop-metal, but haven't Ghost always been that way? A meticulously crafted piece of music that walks the tightrope between artistic integrity and commercial viability.
  16. Mar 20, 2022
    10
    Though its production leaves something to be desired at times, with the vocals and certain instruments occasionally getting lost and buried in the mix, such a gripe is frankly a very minor one when measured against the otherwise exquisite craftsmanship of "Impera" by Ghost, with stellar songwriting and musicianship as well as experiments with new styles like pop punk, glam rock and grooveThough its production leaves something to be desired at times, with the vocals and certain instruments occasionally getting lost and buried in the mix, such a gripe is frankly a very minor one when measured against the otherwise exquisite craftsmanship of "Impera" by Ghost, with stellar songwriting and musicianship as well as experiments with new styles like pop punk, glam rock and groove metal effortlessly combining to form yet another instant modern metal classic from the Swedish rockers.

    Choice Cuts: "Spillways," "Call Me Little Sunshine," "Hunter's Moon"
    Expand
  17. Mar 14, 2022
    10
    A true masterpiece! Counting Impera as one of my top-10 best album of all time.
  18. Aug 17, 2022
    8
    This album is quite perfect. It is terribly effective without being too formatted. It is a real rejuvenation for hard rock, which had become unloved for many years.
  19. Mar 12, 2022
    9
    Released a new album after a long time, it can be said that this is a special year famous artists find a new album. I first hosted Ghost by an Italian YouTuber, you could say Ghost are a weird pop band with rock and a bit much heavy metal is weird to me. The songs are a bit of a twist reminiscent of glam metal songs but okay, there's a section reminiscent of GTA. The album is very good youReleased a new album after a long time, it can be said that this is a special year famous artists find a new album. I first hosted Ghost by an Italian YouTuber, you could say Ghost are a weird pop band with rock and a bit much heavy metal is weird to me. The songs are a bit of a twist reminiscent of glam metal songs but okay, there's a section reminiscent of GTA. The album is very good you can get used to it there is one song I did not like but ok. The album gets a score of 9.5 out of 10. This is an album for everyone. Expand
  20. Mar 12, 2022
    9
    Big Ghost fan. Love the fact that Tobias takes risks and you never really know what to expect.

    If you want another Opus, you are in for a disappointment. This is more in the line of Prequelle, perhaps even “lighter”. It feels and sounds like an 80:s arena rock album. Almost Bon Jovi:esque. There are some real gems here, my favorites being Kasarion, Spillways and the beautiful epic
    Big Ghost fan. Love the fact that Tobias takes risks and you never really know what to expect.

    If you want another Opus, you are in for a disappointment. This is more in the line of Prequelle, perhaps even “lighter”. It feels and sounds like an 80:s arena rock album. Almost Bon Jovi:esque. There are some real gems here, my favorites being Kasarion, Spillways and the beautiful epic powerballad “Darkness at the heart of my love” The big disappointments is the singles really, i don’t like Hunters moon at all, and I think Twenties is an ok “filler” track. I can not for the life of me understand why Kaisarion wasn’t the first single and “Darkness..” was the follow up. These are real bangers.

    Hunters moon should not even be on the record if you ask me.

    So all in all, Tobias has done it again. 9/10
    Expand
  21. Mar 12, 2022
    10
    Ghost's game is to shock but not in a classic way. They shock, but not with fear, but with hooks and without taking themselves too seriously, all with the metal rock abbaesque arrangements. I'm a big fan of ghost, and this album struck me because of the direction it took. After a few listens, it's definitely a strong album.
  22. Mar 13, 2022
    9
    A solid album. Definitely more enjoyable than Prequelle. That being said, “Call Me Little Sunshine” and “Hunter’s Moon”, good songs, but doesn’t really fit the narrative of the album. It definitely has an 80s vibe to it. Especially the beginning of “Kaisarion”, with the falsetto scream with harmonic guitars. “Spillways” makes me have some flashbacks to childhood as well. Lyrically, it’sA solid album. Definitely more enjoyable than Prequelle. That being said, “Call Me Little Sunshine” and “Hunter’s Moon”, good songs, but doesn’t really fit the narrative of the album. It definitely has an 80s vibe to it. Especially the beginning of “Kaisarion”, with the falsetto scream with harmonic guitars. “Spillways” makes me have some flashbacks to childhood as well. Lyrically, it’s Tobias Forge, so definitely tongue in cheek on some things while giving a middle finger to certain people. Obviously “Griftwood” is aimed at Mike Pence, blatantly, but not by name directly. “Twenties” has a definite ironic vibe towards Donald Trump, especially with the lyric “In the twenties, we’ll be grabbin’ ‘em all by their hoohas”. All in all, another solid effort by Ghost and an album I can listen to on multiple occasions. If you’re expecting another “Opus Eponymous” or “Infestissumam”, you’re not going to fully enjoy it. But keep an open mind to it, and you’ll have a good experience with this one. Expand
  23. Mar 13, 2022
    10
    Most great artists eventually make that album that combines all of their best attributes, and refines them to a point so concise that the appeal is irresistible to a huge mass audience, while remaining musically rewarding as hell:
    Peter Gabriel- So
    Police- Synchronicity Metallica (black album) Rush- Moving Pictures Etc etc IMPERA is that Ghost album to my ears, and it still manages to
    Most great artists eventually make that album that combines all of their best attributes, and refines them to a point so concise that the appeal is irresistible to a huge mass audience, while remaining musically rewarding as hell:
    Peter Gabriel- So
    Police- Synchronicity
    Metallica (black album)
    Rush- Moving Pictures
    Etc etc
    IMPERA is that Ghost album to my ears, and it still manages to tread new ground and experiment! I’d say it’s finest work, but I’m also confident he’ll somehow improve on this in the future.
    Expand
  24. Mar 14, 2022
    10
    The new GHOST album is a near masterpiece. Magestic guitar armies, choruses that sound like they come from the highest reaches of heaven (or the deepest pits of a fiery, yet partying hell), and heavy metal that will make you want to boogie . . . there’s something here for everybody. Tobias Forge (who is GHOST) is a musical explorer, and so many of his influences are on display in thisThe new GHOST album is a near masterpiece. Magestic guitar armies, choruses that sound like they come from the highest reaches of heaven (or the deepest pits of a fiery, yet partying hell), and heavy metal that will make you want to boogie . . . there’s something here for everybody. Tobias Forge (who is GHOST) is a musical explorer, and so many of his influences are on display in this album. You can hear bits of Rush, Abba, Jim Steinman, and Def Leppard in many of these songs, but it always sounds fresh and never like a pastiche. “Impera” is not the quite the masterwork that “Melloria” was, but few albums are. Still this is a great album and should be the soundtrack of 2022 for any fan of rock or metal. #Ghost. #Impera. Also, I may have cried some tears of pure musical joy listening to this album on repeat today. Expand
  25. Mar 16, 2022
    10
    Another classic from Tobias Forge! Yes its different then any other Ghost album buttons what makes it great besides the sound & message. He stays fresh. I'm biased but I LOVED it.
  26. Mar 16, 2022
    10
    It's no Meliora and too poppy for Ghost but musically, the band is tight as ever with great melodies. I'm generous to give it 9 since I liked the 2nd half of the album despite the filler interludes. Watcher, Twenties, Darkness, Griftwood and Respite are great tracks.
  27. Mar 16, 2022
    10
    Not a dud on there. Some of the catchment hooks ever, greater song complexity than its predecessors yet still retains the unmistakable Ghost sound. Divine album.
  28. Mar 16, 2022
    10
    I dare you to categorize this musical masterpiece. Don't even try. Just appreciate the stories being told, using the forgotten art of long-form album storytelling. Appreciate the range of influences that make the work accessible, and defy stereotypes, across genres. Delight in the masterful execution of players who are at the top of their craft, and a musical deity pulling all theI dare you to categorize this musical masterpiece. Don't even try. Just appreciate the stories being told, using the forgotten art of long-form album storytelling. Appreciate the range of influences that make the work accessible, and defy stereotypes, across genres. Delight in the masterful execution of players who are at the top of their craft, and a musical deity pulling all the strings...conducting his orchestra of evil, with absolute authority. Expand
  29. Mar 20, 2022
    7
    Lett å høre på, ikke helt min stil, men kos. Albumet er underholdene og er veldig catchy.
  30. Apr 30, 2022
    8
    Changing my review. This album took me a LONG TIME to swallow and accept, but now that I've done exactly that, this album is great. It's not brilliant and it's certainly not outstanding - but it's great. I still don't like the fact that Ghost goes more and more pop the more we hear from them, but to say that this album is awful or garbage is a straight-out lie.
  31. Apr 12, 2022
    10
    How DARE Mr. Forge, et al. go in a new direction with their music? As a TRUE fan from since even before the beginning (I was there at the Teri Reid/Spooky Tooth/Ghost show), I DEMAND that the band who I have proclaimed my fanboydom for CEASE and DESIST immediately with this... what is this, Satanic Meat Loaf? Queen? If Ghost doesn't immediately release a deluxe 2-disc box setHow DARE Mr. Forge, et al. go in a new direction with their music? As a TRUE fan from since even before the beginning (I was there at the Teri Reid/Spooky Tooth/Ghost show), I DEMAND that the band who I have proclaimed my fanboydom for CEASE and DESIST immediately with this... what is this, Satanic Meat Loaf? Queen? If Ghost doesn't immediately release a deluxe 2-disc box set containing 24 remasters of Con Clavi Con Dio, I am going to go upstairs and punch a hole in my parents' drywall. Satanic themed music that is more accessible and appealing to a broader audience while simultaneously exploring and paying homage to the sounds of the era of Satanic Panic absolutely WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. I have extra Code Red Mountain Dew and four bags of frozen chicken nuggies at the ready to withstand any siege upon my gatekeeping! Real artists sound exactly the same forever!! AC/DC Rocks!!! Alexa, press submit. Alexa. Alexa! Mommmmmmm!!!! Alexa isn't working again and I'm all out of Code Redddddd!!! Mom? ...Mom?? MOM!!! Mother, If I have to come upstairs and get it myself I am going to slap your face so hard! F*ck, I've fallen, and I can't get up! ALEXA!!! Expand
  32. Jun 23, 2023
    9
    One of the best Ghost records, have awesome tracks and the mix is really good. Everybody should at least once hear this record. This goes thru a lot of places on Heavy Metal and knows how to do it, it´s really good!
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Mar 14, 2022
    74
    The production is a tad artificial at times, way less organic than the somber, daring spirit of Opus Eponymous, but every instrument is performed with impressive precision by every ghoul, and Forge's vocals sound on point most of the time, save for some grating moments when he seems to fall out of character. The added backing vocals and the meticulous arrangements enhance greatly the album's overall sound, but the question remains if these sorts of embellishments are enough for the loyal sheep to keep their faith on what the Clergy is feeding them.
  2. Mar 14, 2022
    83
    Overall, IMPERA keeps Ghost’s winning streak going and proves once again that Mr. Forge surely knows what he’s doing as the group’s leader.
  3. Mar 11, 2022
    70
    Impera is a solid album and an obvious next step in Ghost's career. It's bittersweet to see the campy Satanic days firmly behind the band, but any old-school fan should still be proud to see what the band has achieved, and it's clear that Impera is the album Ghost needed to take their career to the next level.