Satanized (song)
| "Satanized" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Ghost | ||||
| from the album Skeletá | ||||
| Released | March 5, 2025 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:57 | |||
| Label | Loma Vista | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Gene Walker | |||
| Ghost singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Satanized" is a song by the Swedish rock band Ghost. It was released on 5 March 2025 through Loma Vista Recordings as the lead single from their sixth studio album, Skeletá. The song was produced by the band's leader Tobias Forge under the pseudonym "Gene Walker" and debuted at number six on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
Background
On the day before the release of "Satanized", Ghost livestreamed a billboard in Las Vegas reading "V IS COMING", teasing the band's new frontman character, Papa V Perpetua, portrayed by lead vocalist Tobias Forge.[1] The single was released at midnight (EST) along with a music video.[2][3] In collaboration with Jason Zada, the band also launched a web app called "The Satanizer" that allows users to transform themselves into characters from the video.[4]
Themes and composition
"Satanized" blends rock and hard rock into an energetic, 1980s-inspired 6
8 rhythm, featuring driving guitars, punchy drums, layered harmonies, and catchy hooks that give the song anthemic appeal.[5] Stephen Andrew Galiher of Vice described it as "a catchy goth-rock epic."[3]
Lyrically, "Satanized" shifts from Ghost's typical devil-worship themes toward a more introspective reflection on the struggle between sin and salvation, with religious imagery centering on themes of blasphemy, heresy, and a desire for redemption.[6]
Reception
"Satanized" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Reviewers praised its energetic instrumentation, 1980s-inspired hard rock sound, and anthemic chorus. The Rockpit highlighted the track's "catchy hooks, layered harmonies, and dynamic guitar work," noting it as a strong lead single that showcases Ghost's signature theatrical style.[5]
ACRN commented on the lyrical themes, describing the song as a "dramatic exploration of inner conflict framed with religious imagery," and praised the blend of melodically engaging hooks with darker, thematic content.[6]
Critics also noted the song's music video and promotional web app as effective extensions of Ghost's theatrical presentation, emphasizing the band's flair for combining visual storytelling with musical releases.[7]
Weekly charts
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Rock (Billboard)[8] | 32 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[9] | 6 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[10] | 78 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11] | 32 |
| US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 18 |
References
- ^ James Wilson-Taylor (4 March 2025). "Ghost Tease Return With Las Vegas Billboard". Rock Sound. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ "Ghost are unveiling frontman Papa V Perpetua on Wednesday… and a new…". Kerrang!. 4 March 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ a b Stephen Andrew Galiher (6 March 2025). "Ghost's New Single 'Satanized' is a Catchy Goth-Rock Epic". Vice. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ James Wilson-Taylor (6 March 2025). "Ghost Launch 'The Satanizer' Interactive Music Video". Rock Sound. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ a b Jewell, Stephanie (25 April 2025). "Album Review: Ghost – Skeletá". The Rockpit. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ a b Ardetto, Isabella (26 March 2025). "Single Review: Ghost – Satanized". ACRN. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ Alderslade, Merlin (5 March 2025). "Watch Ghost's new video Satanized and meet new frontman Papa V Perpetua as the band officially announce brand new album Skeletá". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ "Ghost (dupe 1) Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ "Ghost (dupe 1) Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ "Ghost – Rats". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ "Ghost (dupe 1) Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ "Ghost (dupe 1) Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 March 2026.