Prequelle

Overview:
Prequelle is Ghost’s fourth studio album, released June 1, 2018. It marked a stylistic turn toward arena-ready hard rock and melodically driven songs built around a Black Death / Middle Ages concept and introduced Tobias Forge’s new frontman persona, Cardinal Copia. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prequelle?utm_source=openai))

Recording History:
Prequelle was recorded in 2017–2018 at Artery Studios (Stockholm), with additional work credited to Psalm Studio (Bath) and mixing at Westlake Studios (Los Angeles). The record was produced and largely engineered by Tom Dalgety; mixing duties were handled by Andy Wallace. Forge and Dalgety streamlined the sessions, often tracking with minimal personnel and calling in session players as needed. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prequelle?utm_source=openai))

Chart Performance & Recognition:
The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 — Ghost’s highest U.S. chart position at the time — moving about 66,000 equivalent album units in week one (≈61,000 traditional sales). Its singles were strong on rock radio: “Rats” spent multiple weeks atop Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs chart and “Dance Macabre” also reached No. 1 on that chart. “Rats” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song (61st Grammys). ([blabbermouth.net](https://blabbermouth.net/news/ghosts-prequelle-lands-at-no-3-on-billboard-chart?utm_source=openai))

Cultural Impact & Legacy:
Prequelle consolidated Ghost’s jump from cult metal act to arena headliner—“Rats” became a live staple—and its blend of vintage rock, pop hooks and occult imagery broadened the band’s audience. Tracks from the album have been widely playlisted and later certified on single-level in markets such as the U.S.; the Cardinal Copia era and the album’s theatrical visuals remain key talking points in Ghost’s career. Critics at release praised the songwriting and production while noting the album’s pop accessibility within a dark thematic frame. ([loudersound.com](https://www.loudersound.com/features/ghost-story-behind-rats?utm_source=openai))

If you want, I can list the full track credits, session musicians, and notable single release dates next.