Impera
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Impera
| type = studio
| artist = Ghost
| cover = Ghost - Impera.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|df=y|2022|03|11}}
| recorded = 2021
| studio = Capitol (Hollywood)
Atlantis Metronome (Stockholm)
Apmamman (Stockholm)
| genre =
- Hard rock
- arena rock
- glam metal
- {{nowrap|heavy metal}}
- pop rock
| length = {{Duration|m=46|s=21}}
| label = Loma Vista
| producer = Klas Åhlund
| prev_title = Seven Inches of Satanic Panic
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title = Phantomime
| next_year = 2023
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Impera
| type = studio
| single1 = Hunter's Moon
| single1date = 30 September 2021
| single2 = Call Me Little Sunshine
| single2date = 20 January 2022
| single3 = Twenties
| single3date = 2 March 2022
| single4 = Spillways
| single4date = 27 July 2022
}}
}}
Impera is the fifth studio album by the Swedish rock band Ghost. Released on 11 March 2022, it was produced by Klas Åhlund who also produced the band's 2015 album, Meliora. The release of Impera was preceded by three singles: the first, "Hunter's Moon", was released on 30 September 2021 in support of the 2021 slasher film Halloween Kills with a version being a part of the film's closing credits; the second single, "Call Me Little Sunshine", was released on 20 January 2022 and the third, "Twenties", was released on 2 March 2022.
The theme of Impera mainly focuses on "the rise and fall of empires". Multiple outside songwriters assisted with the album, including pop producers Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare, Kent lead singer Joakim Berg and The Cardigans guitarist Peter Svensson.{{Cite web |last=DiVita |first=Joe|date=2022-03-23 |title=Who Are the Six Outside Writers Credited on Ghost's 'Impera' Album? |url=https://loudwire.com/outside-writers-ghost-impera-album/ |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=Loudwire |language=en}} The album received widespread critical acclaim.
Background and release
In a 2021 interview with radio station KLAQ, frontman Tobias Forge stated that he came up with the concept of Impera in 2013 after reading the book The Rule of Empires: Those Who Built Them, Those Who Endured Them, and Why They Always Fall by Timothy Parsons.{{cite web |title=Ghost's Tobias Forge Reveals Concept For Band's Upcoming Album |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ghosts-tobias-forge-reveals-concept-for-bands-upcoming-album/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=17 November 2021 |date=30 October 2021}} He came across the book in an independent bookstore called Left Bank Books, situated in Seattle's Pike Place Market. When asked about that chance discovery, he explained: "I'm interested in history and culture, and how empires are built up, and how and why they always fall apart. Right there and then, I knew that at some point, 'I'm going to make an imperial record.'"{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/ghost-impera-interview-tobias-forge-2022 |title=From the Devil to Def Leppard: how Ghost made the best album of 2022 so far |last=Daly |first=Joe |work=Metal Hammer |date=8 April 2022 |access-date=21 April 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410103722/https://www.loudersound.com/features/ghost-impera-interview-tobias-forge-2022}}
In June 2019, Forge stated that the band would be touring the United States in September and October in support of their fourth album Prequelle before returning to Europe. The band then entered the studio in January 2020 to begin working on their fifth album, and planned to release it by late summer that year. However, Forge stated that they would wait until after the U.S. presidential election to release the album, concerning the event would draw public's attention the most.{{cite news|last1=Obeirne |first1=Oran |title=Feature Interview: Ghost – "I would say by early 2021, you can expect the next chapter of the Ghost story." Tobias Forge |url=https://www.overdrive.ie/ghost-i-would-say-by-early-2021-you-can-expect-the-next-chapter-of-the-ghost-story-tobias-forge/ |access-date=10 March 2022 |work=overdrive |date=16 June 2019}}
In March 2020, during their final show supporting their 2018 album Prequelle in Mexico City, Cardinal Copia, the singer of the band, was transformed into Papa Emeritus IV. He would remain the frontman for their fifth album.{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Skinner|title=Ghost introduce new character Papa Emeritus IV at final 'Prequelle' show|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ghost-introduce-new-character-papa-emeritus-iv-at-final-prequelle-show-2620513|work=NME|date=4 March 2020|access-date=21 January 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520061505/https://www.nme.com/news/music/ghost-introduce-new-character-papa-emeritus-iv-at-final-prequelle-show-2620513}}
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the release of the album, and in October 2020, Forge revealed that the album was intended to be released in the winter.{{cite news |last1=Neilstein |first1=Vince |title=Ghost: New Album Coming This Winter |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2020/10/08/ghost-new-album-coming-this-winter/ |access-date=10 March 2022 |work=MetalSucks |date=8 October 2020}} It was further delayed, however.
On 30 September 2021, the band released a single, "Hunter's Moon" for the 2021 slasher film Halloween Kills with a different version of the song being played in the closing credits.{{cite web |title=Ghost Is Back With First New Single In Two Years, 'Hunter's Moon' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ghost-releases-first-new-single-in-two-years-hunters-moon/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=30 September 2021 |date=30 September 2021}}{{cite web|first=Ali|last=Shutler|title=Ghost announce new album 'Impera', share hopeful single 'Call me Little Sunshine'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ghost-announce-new-album-impera-share-hopeful-single-call-me-little-sunshine-3142353|work=NME|date=20 January 2022|access-date=20 January 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123121300/https://www.nme.com/news/music/ghost-announce-new-album-impera-share-hopeful-single-call-me-little-sunshine-3142353}} On 20 January 2022, the band announced their fifth studio album, Impera, was finally set to release on 11 March 2022, and released what would be the second single, "Call Me Little Sunshine", as "Hunter's Moon" will also appear on the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/ghost-debut-new-song-call-me-little-sunshine-announce-upcoming-album-impera|title=Ghost Debut New Song "Call Me Little Sunshine," Announce Upcoming Album 'Impera'|publisher=Revolver Magazine|date=20 January 2022|access-date=20 January 2022}}{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Owen|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/ghost-impera|title=Ghost announce 5th studio album, Impera, debut haunting new single, Call Me Little Sunshine|publisher=Guitar World|date=20 January 2022|access-date=20 January 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2022/01/19/news/ghost-reveal-details-for-new-album-impera-premiere-call-me-little-sunshine-music-video/|title=Ghost Reveal Details For New Album "Impera", Premiere "Call Me Little Sunshine" Music Video|publisher=The PRP|date=19 January 2022|access-date=20 January 2022}}{{cite web|first=Jon|last=Stickler|title=Ghost Set March Release For Fifth Album 'Impera', Share New Track Call Me Little Sunshine|url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/234344/9|website=stereoboard.com|date=20 January 2022|access-date=20 January 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122104417/https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/234344/9}} On 2 March 2022, the band released the next single from the album, "Twenties".{{cite web|first=Emperor|last=Rhombus|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/03/02/ghost-release-surprisingly-chuggy-new-single-twenties/|title=Ghost Release Surprisingly Chuggy New Single "Twenties"|website=MetalSucks|date=2 March 2022|access-date=2 March 2022}} On 27 July 2022, the band released a music video for the album's fourth single, "Spillways".{{cite web|first=James|last=Wilson-Taylor|url=https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/ghost-unveil-new-music-video-for-spillways|title=Ghost Unveil New Music Video For 'Spillways'|archive-date=2 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802195339/https://rocksound.tv/news/read/ghost-unveil-new-music-video-for-spillways|work=Rock Sound|date=28 February 2023|access-date=28 February 2023}}
A download of the studio version of the song "Kaisarion" was made available with a preorder of a special edition CD of Impera.{{cite web|title=IMPERA 2022 Arena Tour Edition CD with Exclusive Tour Poster & Instant Download of "Kaisarion"|url=https://www.lomavistarecordings.com/ipetgbjs67w/|access-date=21 February 2022|website=Loma Vista - a recording company|language=en}}
Recording
While it was originally planned for the band to record the album in 2020 and release it in early 2021, the band ended up waiting until January 2021 to enter the studio and record the album.{{cite web |title=Ghost To Enter Studio In January; New Album Tentatively Due In Late 2021 |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ghost-to-enter-studio-in-january-new-album-tentatively-due-in-late-2021/ |website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=20 January 2022 |date=21 October 2020}} Recording lasted six weeks and mixing/mastering took two to three weeks. The album was produced by Klas Åhlund and mixed by Andy Wallace, who also did the same for the band's 2015 album, Meliora.{{cite web|title=Ghost: 'Meliora' Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ghost-meliora-cover-artwork-track-listing-revealed/|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=29 May 2015|date=20 January 2022}}
Music and themes
Musically, Impera has been described as hard rock,{{cite web|first=Adrien|last=Begrand|url=https://www.popmatters.com/ghost-impera-album-review|title=Ghost's 'Impera' Is a Morbidly Exhilarating Soundtrack to Dark Times|website=PopMatters|date=11 March 2022|access-date=11 March 2022|language=en}} arena rock,{{cite web|first=Dave|last=Everley|url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/ghost-impera-album-review|title=Ghost's Impera album is the 80s arena rock banger to end 80s arena rock bangers|website=Metal Hammer|via=Loudersound|date=6 March 2022|access-date=6 March 2022|language=en}} glam metal,{{cite web|first=Joe|last=Daly|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/every-ghost-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best|title=Every Ghost album ranked from worst to best|website=Metal Hammer|via=Loudersound|date=10 March 2022|access-date=17 March 2022}} heavy metal, and pop rock.{{cite web|first=James|last=McMahon|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/ghost-impera-album-review-3178131|title=Ghost – 'Impera' review: Swedish metallers go bigger than ever|website=NME|date=10 March 2022|access-date=11 March 2022|language=en}} The album's sound has been described as 1980s-style pop and rock{{cite web|first=William|last=Nesbitt|url=https://www.therockpit.net/2022/ghost-impera-album-review/|title=Ghost – 'Impera' – Album Review|website=The Rock Pit|date=13 March 2022|access-date=16 March 2022|language=en}} and has been compared to ABBA, Boston, Dio, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard.{{cite web|first=Thom|last=Jurek|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/impera-mw0003655260|title=Impera - Ghost|publisher=Allmusic|access-date=11 March 2022}} The album is themed mainly on "the rise and fall of empires". It is described to take place hundreds of years forward from the 14th century Europe Black Plague era of Ghost's previous album, Prequelle.
The cover art by Zbigniew Bielak is a reference to a photograph of English occultist Aleister Crowley.
Promotion
In January 2022, the band kicked off a North American co-headline tour with Volbeat called the Imperatour.{{cite web |last1=Childers |first1=Chad |title=Ghost + Volbeat Announce 2022 U.S. Co-Headline Tour Dates |url=https://loudwire.com/ghost-volbeat-2022-us-co-headline-tour-dates/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=21 January 2022 |language=en |date=20 September 2021}} During the first show in Reno, the band performed "Kaisarion", the second song of the album, for the first time,{{cite web |title=Ghost Debuts New Song 'Kaisarion' At First Show Of U.S. Tour With Volbeat (Video) |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ghost-debuts-new-song-kaisarion-at-first-show-of-u-s-tour-with-volbeat-video/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=26 January 2022 |date=26 January 2022}} as well as introduced new steampunk-inspired costumes for the Nameless Ghouls.{{cite web |last1=Ruskell |first1=Nick |title=Ghost: "You have to destroy to rebuild, but that doesn't mean you have to level everything into gravel" |url=https://www.kerrang.com/ghost-you-have-to-destroy-to-rebuild-but-that-doesnt-mean-you-have-to-level-everything-into-gravel |website=Kerrang! |access-date=26 January 2022 |language=en |date=26 January 2022}} They also headlined the UK and European legs of the tour that started in April 2022.{{cite web |last1=Skinner |first1=Tom |title=Ghost announce UK and European tour for 2022 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ghost-announce-2022-uk-european-tour-shows-tickets-dates-3102601 |website=NME |access-date=21 January 2022 |date=23 November 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Laura |title=Ghost To Bring Imperatour To UK And Europe In Spring 2022 |url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/233844/9 |website=stereoboard.com |access-date=21 January 2022 |language=en |date=23 November 2021}}
The band appeared on U.S. chat show Jimmy Kimmel Live! on 17 March 2022, where they performed the single "Call Me Little Sunshine".{{Cite web|first=Merlin|last=Alderslade|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/watch-ghost-perform-call-me-little-sunshine-on-jimmy-kimmel-live|title=Watch Ghost perform Call Me Little Sunshine on Jimmy Kimmel Live|website=loudersound.com|date=17 March 2022|access-date=26 March 2022|language=en}}
Commercial performance
Impera debuted at number one in five countries, including in the band's native country Sweden, and charted in the top 40 of multiple charts worldwide.{{Cite web |title=Ghost Tops Charts Across The World With New Album 'Impera' |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/ghost_tops_charts_across_the_world_with_new_album_impera.html |access-date=26 March 2022 |website=www.ultimate-guitar.com}}
In the United States, Impera debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, behind Lil Durk's 7220, selling 70,000 units in its first week, of which 62,500 were physical album sales. It is Ghost's highest charting album in the U.S., surpassing Prequelle{{'}}s position of number three, as well as earning the largest physical album sales week of 2022 in the U.S.{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad |title=Ghost's 'Impera' Logs Biggest Album Sales Week of 2022, Places Second on Billboard 200 Album Chart |url=https://loudwire.com/ghosts-impera-biggest-album-sales-week-2022-no-2-billboard-200-album-chart/ |access-date=26 March 2022 |website=Loudwire|date=21 March 2022 }} It also charted at number 2 in the UK, becoming Ghost's highest charting album there, behind Rex Orange County's Who Cares?{{Cite web |last=Alderslade |first=Merlin |date=18 March 2022 |title=Confirmed: Impera is Ghost's highest ever charting album in the UK |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/confirmed-impera-is-ghosts-highest-ever-charting-album-in-the-uk |access-date=26 March 2022 |website=loudersound}}
Reception
{{Music ratings
| MC = 84/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/impera/ghost|title=Impera by Ghost Reviews and Tracks|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=14 March 2022}}
|rev1 = AllMusic
| rev2 = Blabbermouth.net
| rev2score = 8/10{{cite web|first=Dom|last=Lawson|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/impera/|title=CD Reviews - Impera Ghost|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=8 March 2022 |access-date=11 March 2022|language=en}}
| rev3 = Classic Rock
| rev3score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Beaumont|url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/ghosts-impera-large-doses-of-schlock-but-marginally-more-meaty|title=Ghost's Impera: large doses of schlock but marginally more meaty|website=Classic Rock|via=Loudersound|date=10 March 2022|access-date=11 March 2022|language=en}}
| rev4 = Exclaim!
| rev4score = 7/10{{cite web|first=Manus|last=Hopkins|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/ghost_impera_album_review|title=Ghost Give Up Satan for Arena-Sized Ambition on 'Impera'|website=Exclaim!|date=11 March 2022|access-date=11 March 2022|language=en}}
| rev5 = Kerrang!
| rev5score = 4/5{{cite web|first=James|last=Hickie|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-big-review-ghost-impera-tobias-forge|title=The big review: Ghost – Impera|website=Kerrang!|date=9 March 2022|access-date=11 March 2022|language=en}}
| rev6 = Metal Hammer
| rev6score = {{rating|4.5|5}}
| rev7 = Metal Injection
| rev8 = Metal Sucks
| rev8score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/03/09/review-ghosts-impera-is-the-soundtrack-to-a-new-satanic-panic/|title=Album Review: Ghost Impera|website=Metal Sucks|date=9 March 2022|access-date=11 March 2022|language=en}}
| rev9 = NME
| rev10 = PopMatters
}}
Impera received critical acclaim upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 84, which indicates "universal acclaim", based on 8 reviews.
Thom Jurek of AllMusic was positive towards the album stating, "Impera is the most unabashed exercise in exultant pop/rock sheen Ghost has issued to date; it establishes an exquisite front in their own quest for global rock domination." Dom Lawson of Blabbermouth.net called the album the "most spectacular and hook-filled heavy(ish) metal albums in recent memory." According to Mark Beaumont of Classic Rock, "Ghost swap Medieval demons for modern-day counterparts..." and compared the album to Green Day's American Idiot.
Manus Hopkins of Exclaim! called the album "more thematically interesting and more musically complex album than its predecessor" but was less positive towards the band's departure from themes of devil-worshiping and a more evil image. James Hickie of Kerrang! stated that "Impera is among Ghost's very best and sure to push them even closer to those heavenly heights." According to Dave Everley of Metal Hammer, "Ghost have turned in a modern metal classic with an arena rock heart. It turns out the devil doesn't have all the best tunes. Tobias Forge does."
Jordan Blum of Metal Injection considered the album to be "a tad more accessible and light compared to their first two or three albums—prioritizing welcoming rock over weird metal in most cases—but that's hardly a flaw considering how unified and exciting it is." Metal Sucks compared the album to Avatar and King Diamond and called it "theatrical, catchy, and evil in the most approachable way." James McMahon of NME called the twelve tracks on the album "a truly delicious pop-rock proposition." Adrien Begrand of PopMatters considered the lyrics on the song "Twenties" to be too blunt and bring the song "close to a cartoon level." However, Begrand praised the album's "smart riffs and melodies" and considers the album to be what "establishes them as a commercial hard rock force."
The single "Call Me Little Sunshine" received a nomination for Best Metal Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, but lost to "Degradation Rules" by Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Taila|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list|title=2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Winners & Nominees List|website=Grammy Awards|publisher=The Recording Academy|date=15 November 2022|access-date=27 May 2024}}
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Accolades for Impera ! Publication ! List ! Rank |
| scope="row"|Metal Hammer
|Top 50 Albums of 2022 |
|---|
| scope="row"|Revolver
|25 Best Albums of 2022 |
| scope="row"|AMAs
|Favourite Rock Album |
| scope="row"|Kerrang!
|The 50 Best Albums of 2022 |
| scope="row"|Guitar World
|The 10 Best Guitar Solos of 2022 (for "Griftwood") |{{Center|7{{cite web |last1=Horsley |first1=Jonathan |title=The 10 best guitar solos of 2022 |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-10-best-guitar-solos-of-2022 |website=Guitar World |publisher=Future plc |access-date=14 October 2024 |date=14 December 2022}}}} |
| scope="row"|Guitar World
|The Best Guitar Albums of 2022 |{{Center|11{{cite web |last1=Horsley |first1=Jonathan |title=The best guitar albums of 2022 |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-best-guitar-albums-of-2022 |website=Guitar World |publisher=Future plc |access-date=30 October 2024 |date=21 December 2022}}}} |
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Impera track listing
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| title1 = Imperium
| writer1 = Tobias Forge
| length1 = 1:40
| title2 = Kaisarion
| writer2 = {{hlist|Forge|Joakim Berg}}
| length2 = 5:02
| title3 = Spillways
| writer3 = {{hlist|Forge|Salem Al Fakir|Vincent Pontare}}
| length3 = 3:16
| title4 = Call Me Little Sunshine
| writer4 = {{hlist|Forge|Max Grahn}}
| length4 = 4:44
| title5 = Hunter's Moon
| writer5 = {{hlist|Forge|Grahn}}
| length5 = 3:16
| title6 = Watcher in the Sky
| writer6 = {{hlist|Forge|Al Fakir|Pontare}}
| length6 = 5:48
| title7 = Dominion
| writer7 = {{hlist|Forge|Al Fakir|Pontare}}
| length7 = 1:22
| title8 = Twenties
| writer8 = {{hlist|Forge|Al Fakir|Pontare}}
| length8 = 3:46
| title9 = Darkness at the Heart of My Love
| writer9 = {{hlist|Forge|Al Fakir|Pontare}}
| length9 = 4:58
| title10 = Griftwood
| writer10 = {{hlist|Forge|Peter Svensson|Klas Åhlund}}
| length10 = 5:16
| title11 = Bite of Passage
| writer11 = Forge
| length11 = 0:31
| title12 = Respite on the Spitalfields
| writer12 = {{hlist|Forge|Berg}}
| length12 = 6:42
| total_length = 46:21
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Bandcamp digital edition bonus track
| title13 = Hunter's Moon
| note13 = film version
| writer13 = {{hlist|Forge|Grahn}}
| length13 = 3:10
| total_length = 49:31
}}
Personnel
=Ghost=
- Papa Emeritus IV - vocals & bass
- A Group of Nameless Ghouls
=Additional personnel=
- Fredrik Åkesson – guitars{{cite news |last1=Laing |first1=Rob |title=Ghost hired Opeth's Fredrik Åkesson to play guitar on their new album: "He's the sort of person who plays five hours every day" |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/ghost-opeth-guitars |access-date=10 March 2022 |work=MusicRadar |date=26 January 2022}}
- Salem Al Fakir - keyboards
- Hux Nettermalm – drums
- Martin Hederos – piano, organ
- Alva Åkesson – choir (8)
- Elvira Nettermalm – choir (8)
- Inez Johansson – choir (8)
- Lita Åhlund – choir (8)
- Minou Forge – choir (8)
- Olivia Boman – choir (8)
- Anna Mosten – choir (9, 12)
- Estherlivia – choir (9, 12)
- Ida Gratte – choir (9, 12)
- Ida Johansson – choir (9, 12)
- Jade Ell – choir (9, 12)
- Johanna Eriksson Sanmark – choir (9, 12)
=Technical=
- Klas Åhlund – production
- Andy Wallace – mixing
- Zbigniew Bielak – cover art
- Ted Jensen – mastering
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col 2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for Impera ! scope="col"| Chart (2022–2025) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/albums-chart/2022-03-21|title=ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=21 March 2022|access-date=18 March 2022}}
| 3 |
|---|
| {{album chart|Austria|1|M|url=https://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/oe3austriatop40longplay/|title=Longplay Charts vom 22. März 2022|publisher=Ö3 Austria Top 40|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=22 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Flanders|2|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=20 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Wallonia|3|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=20 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|3|artist=Ghost dupe 1|rowheader=true|access-date=22 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Denmark|12|M|url=http://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?w=11&y=2022&list=a40|title=Hitlisten.NU – Album Top-40 Uge 11, 2022|publisher=Hitlisten|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=23 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|2|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=19 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Finland|1|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=20 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|France|5|M|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=11?&annee=2022&categorie=Top%20Albums|title=Top Albums (Week 11, 2022)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=21 March 2022}} |
| scope="row"| French Rock & Metal Albums (SNEP){{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=2?&annee=2025&categorie=Top%20Rock%20%26%20Metal|title=Top 100 Rock & Metal Albums du semaine 2, 2025|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique|access-date=12 May 2025|lang=fr}}
| 38 |
| {{album chart|Germany4|1|id=493581|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=18 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Hungary|8|year=2022|week=11|rowheader=true|access-date=25 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Ireland3|5|date=20220318|rowheader=true|access-date=18 March 2022}} |
| scope="row"| Italian Albums (FIMI){{cite web|url=https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/1/2022/11|title=Album – Classifica settimanale WK 11 (dal 11.03.2022 al 17.03.2022)|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|language=it|access-date=19 March 2022}}
| 20 |
| scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2022-03-18|title=NZ Top 40 Albums Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=21 March 2022|access-date=19 March 2022}}
| 38 |
| {{album chart|Norway|2|M|url=https://topplista.no/charts/albums/2022-w11/|title=Album 2022 uke 11|publisher=VG-lista|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=19 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Poland|7|id=1425|rowheader=true|access-date=24 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Portugal|12|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=31 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|2|date=20220318|rowheader=true|access-date=19 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Spain|1|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=22 March 2022}} |
| scope="row"| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/54?dspy=2022&dspp=11|title=Veckolista Album, vecka 11|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=19 March 2022}}
| 1 |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|5|artist=Ghost|album=Impera|rowheader=true|access-date=20 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|2|date=20220318|rowheader=true|access-date=18 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|UKRock|1|date=20220318|rowheader=true|access-date=19 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Ghost dupe 1|rowheader=true|access-date=22 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardIndependent|1|artist=Ghost dupe 1|rowheader=true|access-date=22 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardHardRock|1|artist=Ghost dupe 1|rowheader=true|access-date=22 March 2022}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=Ghost dupe 1|rowheader=true|access-date=22 March 2022}} |
{{col 2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Impera}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Ghost|title=Impera|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2022|certyear=2024|access-date=6 November 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|artist=Ghost|title=Impera|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2022|certyear=2024|source=artist|access-date=15 November 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Ghost|title=Impera|award=Silver|type=album|relyear=2022|certyear=2024|id=20274-6259-2|access-date=23 August 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for Impera ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| Various
| 11 March 2022 | {{hlist|Cassette|CD|digital download|vinyl|streaming}} | style="text-align:center;"| Impera release formats:
|
|---|
References
{{reflist}}
{{Ghost}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Ghost (Swedish band) albums
Category:Albums produced by Klas Åhlund