Ghost, Lachryma | Song Review

Grammy-winning Swedish band Ghost makes us shed a tear of joy listening to “Lachryma,” the banging second single from Skeletá.

“I’m done crying / Over someone like you.” Oh, really, Tobias Forge? “I’m done crying / Hope you’re feeling it too now / I’m done.” Declarative! Once again, Grammy-winning Swedish metal band Ghost comes through with a banger: “Lachryma”. “Lachryma” (Latin for tear) is the second single from Skeletá, following the utterly blasphemous title track.  Musically, “Lachryma” is jam-packed. 

Things commence with an enigmatic intro, set initially in B minor. Soon enough, the guitars ‘turn up,’ in all of their distorted glory. The key shifts to D minor. Joining those roaring guitars are pummeling drums that hit you right in the chest. The jagged guitar riffs and drum runs are selling points. Forge delivers strong vocals. While commanding, he never sounds like he forces anything.  The melodies are tuneful throughout. The first verse continues in D minor, “Ripping through every poem / Like a vampire should.” Most of the pre-chorus that follows is in D minor, but the last line prepares for the modulation (“I can never run, and I cannot hide”). By the chorus, excerpted at the top of this review, the key shifts to B minor. In the post-chorus (“Crying, crying”), we return to D minor, where we remain for the engaging second verse (“Now that sweet’s gone sour / Seeping down the cracks”).  Before the final pre-chorus and chorus, we are ‘blessed’ with a jubilant, harmonized guitar solo.  Speaking of harmony, the progression is adventurous throughout “Lachryma”. Listening to the second track from Skeletá, there is no reason to shed a tear unless it’s a tear of joy listening to the superb musicianship on display.    

Ghost // Skeletá // Loma Vista / Concord // 4.25.25

[: Loma Vista / Concord]