Listen to Ghost's extraordinary new song 'Twenties'

The latest track from new song 'Impera'

Ghost's Papa Emeritus IV's in January 2022
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 3rd Mar 2022
Last updated 3rd Mar 2022

Ghost have premiered their dramatic and very surprising new song ‘Twenties.’

A marked shift in musical direction from their more melodic previous single 'Call Me Little Sunshine', ‘Twenties’ opens with dramatic and voluminous brass arrangements before pummelling drums and chugging riffs kick in at around the 25 second mark.

Against a musically manic backdrop that fuses avant-garde metal with towering orchestral sounds and almost reggaeton beats, Ghost leader Tobias Forge (aka Papa Emeritus IV) spouts lyrics that nod towards impending conflict that seem highly pertinent today.

Listen to Ghost’s new song ‘Twenties’:

Just like previous singles ‘Hunter’s Moon’ and ‘Call Me Little Sunshine’, ‘Twenties’ is lifted from Ghost’s fifth studio album ‘Impera’ which is unleashed to the world on Friday 11th March 2022 via Spinefarm Records.

In keeping with the album’s title of ‘Impera’ (‘Rule’), Ghost leader Tobias Forge has previously confirmed that the album is a concept record of sorts based on the "unescapable fails and falls of empires."

Forge said he's had the idea for eight years and it's partially inspired by the book 'The Rule Of Empires: Those Who Built Them, Those Who Endured Them, And Why They Always Fall' by Timothy Parsons.

Ghost - 'Impera'

Speaking to Metal Hammer about ‘Impera’, Forge says he was inspired by the way Iron Maiden approach concept albums.

"To compare it to other artists, it’s more like Iron Maiden’s concept albums, like a record that loosely dabbles with the concept of pharaohs or time,” Forge explains.

“On ‘Powerslave’, there are other songs that aren’t technically about pharaohs. Or like on ‘Somewhere In Time’, the songs have a chronological element in them.

“‘Impera’ is similar, where the songs are shining a light on various things within an empire. I guess you could say they show the cracks inside of it.”

Ghost - Imperatour - Europe 2022

Ghost follow the release of ‘Impera’ with a four-date UK arena tour in April 2022, which is part of the larger Imperatour – Europe 2022 trek.

The UK tour opens at Manchester AO Arena on Saturday 9th April 2022 before calling in at London The O2 Arena (Mon 11th April), Glasgow The SSE Hydro (Wed 13th April) and Birmingham RWA Arena (Fri 15th April).

Tickets to all four shows are on sale from Kerrang! Radio Tickets right now.

Rock stars unmasked, including Tobias Forge:

Slipknot’s Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan unmasked

Slipknot percussionist #6 Shawn Crahan unveiled his new silver clown mask to the world when the Iowan masked metallers premiered fearsome single 'Unsainted' in May 2019. Outside of the day job banging things with Slipknot, the unmasked Shawn Crahan is an acclaimed film director and photographer.

Slipknot’s Mick Thomson unmasked

Slipknot guitarist #7 Mick Thomson's metallic hockey mask is so perfectly formidable it has remained relatively unchanged for years. On the right is an Mick Thomson without his mask traversing the streets of New York in 2019 ahead of Slipknot's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Buckethead unmasked

The highly enigmatic guitarist, who wears a KFC bucket on his head, revealed his real identity on self-released 2013 album 'Pike 13'. It poignantly depicts a younger Buckethead – real name Brian Carroll – without his mask on and hugging his late dad.

Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg unmasked

Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg and his proper horrorshow burlap mask. On the right is the devilishly handsome Jay Weinberg without his mask. Weinberg joined Slipknot in 2014 replacing the departing Joey Jordison, who sadly passed away in 2021.

Slipknot’s Sid Wilson unmasked

Slipknot turntablist #0 Sid Wilson's mask dramatically changed in 2019 from his more traditional skull and gas masks to an almost Palpatine -esque deformed human mask with black robes. On the right is Sid Wilson without his mask at the premiere of Slipknot: Day Of The Gusano in Beverly Hills.

Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland unmasked and without makeup

Chameleon-like Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland is constantly coming up with brilliant new looks for the band's live shows. Fusing a mask with crudely painted make-up, this brilliantly disturbing guise is like a cross between Salvador Dali, The Joker and a demented aristocrat. Here is Wes Borland without his mask and makeup at a photoshoot in 2017.

Slipknot’s Corey Taylor unmasked

Slipknot singer #8 Corey Taylor's guise evolved into a sinister translucent mask in 2019. As the frontman of Stone Sour - and arguably the most famous member of Slipknot to boot - unless you've been living under a rock for the past two decades, you'll be well aware of what Corey Taylor looks like without his mask.

Ghost’s Tobias Forge (aka Papa Emeritus) unmasked

Flanked by his band of Nameless Ghouls, Tobias Forge has adopted a number of papal guises over the years; from the various incarnations of Papa Emeritus through to Cardinal Copia and Papa Emeritus IV. On the right is Tobias Forge without his mask at the Grammy Awards in 2019.

GWAR’s Blothar unmasked

Following the untimely death of singer Oderus Urungus (aka Dave Brockie) in 2014, GWAR recruited Blothar - aka Michael Bishop – as their new frontman who comes complete with a pigface goblin guise. On the right is Blothar without his mask and outlandish costume speaking at a TED Talk in 2015.

Slipknot’s Alessandro Venturella unmasked

Slipknot bassist Alessandro "Alex" Venturella's mask changed from a hessian fabric mask into patterned copper mask in 2019. The genial-looking chap on the right is Alessandro Venturella without his mask.

KISS’s Paul Stanley unmasked and without makeup

Alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley has been a member of KISS since their inception in 1973 and his alter ego The Starchild has remained a constant all this time.

Slipknot’s Jim Root unmasked

Slipknot guitarist #4 Jim Root has worn a Jester mask for the entirety of his career with only minor changes in its design. Why change perfection?! Jim Root is immediately identifiable even without his mask thanks to his luscious, voluminous beard.

Behemoth’s Nergal unmasked and without makeup

One of the standout Main Stage acts at Download Festival 2019, Polish blackened death metallers Behemoth – led by the fearsome lead vocalist Nergal – have always adorned striking make-up on stage creating an enigmatic aura. On the right is Adam Nergal Darski without makeup at an album signing session.

Ex-Slipknot percussionist Chris Fehn unmasked

Before he exited Slipknot in somewhat acrimonious circumstances in April 2019, #3 Chris Fehn wore a distinctive Liar Mask – aka the Pinocchio Mask. On the right is the Chris Fehn without his mask at the premiere of Shawn Clown Crahan's movie 'Officer Downe' in 2016.

KISS’s Gene Simmons unmasked and without makeup

On stage and wearing his trademark makeup, Gene Simmons adopts The Demon persona.

KISS’s Eric Singer unmasked and without makeup

Following the death of the late-great Eric Carr in 1991, new drummer Eric Singer didn't adopt his The Fox persona; instead he resurrected original drummer Peter Criss' The Catman guise.

KISS’s Tommy Thayer unmasked and without makeup

Joining KISS permanently in 2002, Tommy Thayer jumped straight into Ace Frehley's platform heels and took on his The Spaceman makeup design.

Ghost Nameless Ghoul unmasked

In March 2017, a Swedish musician called Martin Persner shared a video claiming he was formerly a Nameless Ghoul in Ghost called Omega. He left the band in July 2016 after a seven-year stint.

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