Ghost, the heavy metal band from Sweden, has made a lot of headlines this month. Not just because they’re scheduled to perform at Rockfest and are about to kick off a North American tour in May, but because they’re prepping the release of their fourth studio album amid lineup announcements and alterations.
Led by primary songwriter Tobias Forge, the rest of the group is known as “nameless ghouls,” as the band’s dark theatricality makes it hard to keep track of when new members join and old members leave. What is easy to keep a hold on, however; is the recent addition of Cardinal Copia, the new lead vocalist. The Cardinal replaced Papa Emeritus Zero, but this was old hat for Ghost fans, as a new lead singer is selected for each album cycle. This round, however; is the first time that a lead singer bears the title of Cardinal, and not Papa Emeritus. It’s all just theatrics however, as the and is still fronted and led by Forge.
The announcement came with a preview of the song “Rats,” which is now available in full to accompany the news of the band’s fourth studio album, Prequelle. According to the official press release, “lyrically, Prequelle delves into the plague, the apocalypse, and dark ages.” Prequelle will also be released by means of an extensive list of exclusives, featuring Beelzebub balls, posters, wordplay magnet sets, Eucharist travelers, red tote bags, enamel pins, plague masks, cassette tapes, 8-track cartridges, t-shirts, deluxe red colored vinyls, and a 7” Die Cut Picture-disc. They’re all available here on the band’s official website, with various degrees of bundles.
Listen to “Rats” below, and check out the track list for Prequelle, due out June 1st, 2018 viaLoma Vista, as well as the album art, special order bundles, and upcoming U.S. tour:
Prequelle Tracklist:
Prequelle Special Order Bundles:
Prequelle Deluxe CD ($12):
Prequelle Plague Mask + MP3 Album ($35):
Exclusive Deluxe 3D Cover Art Vinyl ($34):
Exclusive Deluxe 3D Cover Art Vinyl + Red Tote Bag and “Rats” die-cut Vinyl Picture-disc ($50):
Prequelle T-Shirt & Album Bundle ($50):
Online Exclusive Music Bundle (with LP, Picture-disc, 8-track cartridge, red tote bag, enamel pin, and wordplay magnet set) ($100):
Prequelle Plague Bundle (with LP, Picture-disc, plague mask, poster, musical Eucharist case, and wordplay magnet set) ($120):
The Ultimate Prequelle Offering (with LP, two bonus tracks, cassette tape, 8-track cartridge, picture-disc, plague mask, t-shirt, enamel pin, red tote bag, poster, musical Eucharist case, raglan, “gold foil poster,” “Beelzebub Ball,” and wordplay magnet set) ($185):
Ghost Summer 2018 Tour: