Ghost's 'Skeletá' Debuts No. 1, Sets Vinyl Record

Swedish hard rock band Ghost achieved their first No. 1 album on the US Billboard 200 with 'Skeletá,' selling 86,000 equivalent units in its debut week, including 77,000 from traditional sales and 44,000 vinyl copies—setting a new record for vinyl sales by a hard rock album. 'Skeletá' also topped several U.S. genre charts, such as Rock, Alternative, and Indie Store Albums, and reached No. 1 in Sweden, Germany, and Australia. The album's success reflects a resurgence in physical media demand, particularly for vinyl, within the rock and metal genres. Ghost is supporting the release with an extensive world tour in 2025, spanning Europe and North America. The achievement marks the first time a hard rock act has led the US chart since AC/DC in 2020 and signals a strong year for rock and metal, with acts like Sleep Token expected to see similar success. The album’s multiple format variants contributed to its strong sales.