When Sweden’s largest music award was presented, it became clear that Ghost had taken the win in the Best Hard Rock/Metal category. Behind the acclaimed sound of the album are, among others, Linköping University Male Voice Choir and the Linköping University Women's Choir, whose voices can be heard on Skeletá.
A key part of the achievement
The choirs’ contribution consists of a 55-second passage that opens the track Peacefield. Although the award was presented to the band for its overall performance within the genre, the choirs’ involvement in the album has been emphasised as an important factor behind the celebrated soundscape.
The recording took place at Atlantis Studio in Stockholm, where the singers worked together with Ghost’s frontman and Linköping native Tobias Forge. Jakob Grubbström, director musices at Linköping University, reflects on the Grammis award:
It’s great that we could contribute to Ghost’s win. It has been an interesting experience to do something outside our usual genre.
From Linköping to the top of the Billboard chart
The choirs’ contribution to the album quickly gained international attention. When the record was released in May 2025, it reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart – the first time in more than 30 years that a Swedish band topped the list.
Even though the choir part on the album is brief, significant work lay behind it. A full day in the studio was required, with careful adjustments of tone and dynamics to create the result that has now contributed to a Grammis win.
Mikael Eriksson M Industries
“Absolutely magical”
For the singers, the project has been a unique journey – from the first discussions on international forums to the current victory.
“It was absolutely magical. The choral sound blends beautifully with Ghost’s harmonies, adding a touch of classical tones and a sacred timbre,” says Emilia Hildebrand, first soprano in the Linköping University Women's Choir.
For Jakob Grubbström, the collaboration has sparked an appetite for more. That Ghost and frontman Tobias Forge also have roots in Linköping makes the connection to the university’s choirs particularly fitting now that the band is being celebrated as the country’s foremost in hard rock and metal.
