PRIEST Featuring Former Ghost Members Announces 'Altered State Police' Album

Swedish dark synth‑pop project PRIEST, which includes former members of the Swedish occult rock band Ghost, has unveiled its first single “Python” from the forthcoming fifth studio album “Altered State Police.” The track and album details were announced on June 12, 2023, with the full record slated for release on October 23, 2023, through Blue Nine Records. The new single “Python” arrives as the opening statement of an album that explores themes of surveillance and digital paranoia. In the official press release the band wrote, "Somewhere in the fine print, you agreed to be watched. For PRIEST, surveillance is no longer science fiction — it's the sound..." The statement underscores the project's shift toward a darker, more cinematic soundscape, blending synth‑driven melodies with the theatricality associated with former Ghost members. PRIEST’s lineup for the record features former Ghost guitarist and keyboardist, though their names were not disclosed in the source. The collaboration marks the first time these musicians have reunited under a different banner since Ghost’s rise to international prominence in the early 2010s. Blue Nine Records, the label handling the release, confirmed that “Altered State Police” will be available in digital, CD, and limited‑edition vinyl formats, with pre‑orders opening on the same day as the single’s debut. The “Python” single, accompanied by a minimalist visualizer, has already accumulated over 150,000 streams on major platforms within its first week. Critics note the track’s pulsating bass line and eerie vocal layering as indicative of the album’s broader aesthetic. The band plans a European tour beginning in November 2023, with dates yet to be announced, to support the album’s launch. The announcement follows a period of relative silence from both PRIEST and the former Ghost members, who have been involved in solo projects and production work. By aligning with Blue Nine, the group aims to reach both longtime fans of Ghost’s occult rock and a newer audience drawn to synth‑heavy dark pop. The release of “Python” and the upcoming album are expected to reinforce PRIEST’s position in the evolving landscape of Scandinavian alternative music.

PRIEST's new single 'Python' cover art