The Ghosts of Pripyat represents Steve Rothery’s first dedicated solo studio venture. Following the development of the material through live performances in Plovdiv and Rome, the album was recorded with a core band consisting of Dave Foster (guitar), Yatim Halimi (bass), and Leon Parr (drums), with Riccardo Romano contributing keyboards.

The album is noted for its collaborative guitar work, featuring guest contributions from Steve Hackett on “Morpheus” and “Old Man of the Sea,” and Steven Wilson on the nearly 12-minute centerpiece, “Old Man of the Sea.” The project emphasizes a guitar-led compositional style, distinct from the keyboard-centric arrangements typically found in Rothery’s work with Marillion. The visual presentation of the album features artwork by Lasse Hoile, incorporating photography by Yann Arthus-Bertrand.