advertisement
Chart Beat

Ghost and Sleep Token Bring Masks and Metal to the Billboard Canadian Charts

Both bands are having big weeks on the Canadian Albums and Canadian Hot 100 charts, but some familiar names hold the top spots.

Sleep Token

Sleep Token

Andy Ford

It's a big week for heavy music on the Billboard Canada charts.

Skeletá, the new album from theatrical Swedish band Ghost, has debuted at No. 2 on this week's Billboard Canadian Albums chart for the week of May 10, 2025.


That's a big deal for a heavy band like Ghost, though it's not quite as high a placement as on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart, where the album debuted at No. 1 – the first time a hard rock album has hit the top spot in four years.

In Canada, the album falls one behind The Weeknd's The Highlights, which is spending its second consecutive week at No. 1. Originally released in 2021 slightly before his Super Bowl halftime performance, the greatest hits album has been a juggernaut in The Weeknd's native Canada. It's now spent seven weeks at No. 1 (tied with Starboy for his longest-leading album) and 220 total weeks on the Canadian Albums chart.

advertisement

Still, Ghost's No. 2 debut is a major milestone for the band of skeletons.

There seems to be an appetite for theatrical heavy rock bands in general on the charts this week.

Sleep Token have debuted on the Canadian Hot 100 this week. The English band, who also wear masks and reveal very little about their real-life identities, have hit No. 69 on the May 10 chart with their new song "Damocles." It's the third single from their upcoming major label album Even In Arcadia, which comes out this Friday (May 9) via RCA.

Sleep Token have been unexpectedly popular, with a meteoric rise over the last year. "Damocles" addresses that, with introspective lyrics that address the pressure of fame and their relationship with music and their audience. "Well, I know I should be touring, I know these chords are boring," sings leader Vessel. "But I can't always be killing the game...What if the diamond days are all gone?"

advertisement

It's a plaintive and gorgeous piano ballad for the first half of the song, which might seem discordant while looking at the heavily stylized, extremely metal press photo of Vessel holding a sword. Shortly after the two-minute mark, though, the chugging and distorted guitars and blasting drums come in. The varied dynamics and heartfelt emotion give the song a far-reaching quality, which may explain some of the crossover success. At times, the song sounds closer to this week's No. 1 – Alex Warren's anthemic folk-pop hit "Ordinary" – than you might expect.

No new songs are challenging for the top spot just yet. The top 5 this week is made up entirely of songs that have hit No. 1 or 2, including Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club" at No. 2 (still the song's peak), Shaboozey's record-breaking "A Bar Song (Tipsy) at No. 3, ROSÉ and Bruno Mars' "APT." at No. 4 and Gracie Abrams' "That's So True" at No. 5.

Maybe it will take something heavy to unlodge them.

Find all of Billboard Canada's charts here.

advertisement
NXNE
NXNE
NXNE
Concerts

NXNE Announces 2025 Board of Advisors

From The Grammys to the people behind the biggest global artists, this collection of major music industry figures will lead the festival to new heights.

NXNE is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year from June 11-15, 2025 in Toronto, and the festival has put together a major team of music industry experts to help lead it into the future.

The NXNE Board of Advisors features veterans from all over the industry, from Canada to the world. They are top executives in radio, managers and booking agents of some of the biggest global stars, heads of the most prestigious award shows, strategists at renowned media brands and more.

keep readingShow less
advertisement