Swedish Rockers GHOST Recruit 'New' Singer PAPA EMERITUS III, Prepare To Release Third Album

According to Sweden Rock Magazine, Swedish occult rockers GHOST will release their third album in late summer/early fall. The follow-up to 2013’s “Infestissumam” was helmed by Klas Åhlund, a prolific songwriter, producer and guitarist who is also a member of the Swedish rock band TEDDYBEARS. As a songwriter and producer, Klas has previously worked with such artists as Katy Perry, Kesha, Taio Cruz, Britney Spears and Madonna. Songtitles set to appear on the GHOST CD include “From The Pinnacle To The Pit”, “Cirice”, “Majesty”, “Devil Church” and “He Is”.

A new GHOST single will be released before the band’s June 4 appearance at this year’s Sweden Rock Festival, which will also serve as the group’s live debut with “new” singer Papa Emeritus III, the three-month-younger brother of GHOST‘s previous frontman, Papa Emeritus II (pictured).

The new issue of Sweden Rock Magazine (see cover below) marked GHOST‘s final photo session with Papa Emeritus II before he was “fired” and succeeded by Papa Emeritus III.

GHOST is planning to return to the studio before the summer to record several cover songs, including one by Leonard Cohen and another by the ’80s Swedish band IMPERIET.

“Infestissumam” was certified gold in Sweden last fall for sales in excess of 20,000 copies.

Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Sweden has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach gold status in the country twice in the last seven years — from the pre-2002 level of 40,000 to the current 20,000.

“Infestissumam” sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 28 on The Billboard 200 chart.

GHOST was forced to modify its name in the U.S. to GHOST B.C. for “legal reasons.”