A Genuine and Mysterious Band
GHOST band, with its music and imagery, always creates a dark allure, inviting listeners to a medieval cathedral where shadows dance in the flickering candlelight. When a mysterious figure emerges in a black robe, one finds themselves drawn into the mystical call of darkness. Even though I love summer and the sun, the cold, melancholic atmosphere of Scandinavia always captivates me. Ghost’s music strikes right at the heart of these emotions, weaving darkness into my soul through its melodies.
Musically, Ghost is often compared to icons like Black Sabbath, King Diamond, and Mercyful Fate. However, the band has succeeded in crafting its own unique universe through theatrical performances and music videos. Maintaining an air of mystery, the band members refer to themselves as Nameless Ghouls, while their vocalist takes the stage as a satanic anti-pope figure. This theatrical approach is a crucial part of Ghost’s musical legacy.
(Ghost Band – The Nameless Ghouls)
Founded in 2006 in Linköping, Sweden, Ghost entered the metal scene with their debut album Opus Eponymous. The melancholic keyboard tones and hymns to the Devil in this album quickly earned the band a cult following. Opus Eponymous was even nominated for the Swedish Grammis Awards, marking the first step toward Ghost’s rise as an international phenomenon. The follow-up album, Infestissumam (2013), brought even greater success, topping the Swedish charts and winning the Swedish Grammis for Best Hard Rock/Metal Album.
Darkness in Music
Ghost has a unique musical approach that blends dark elements with simplicity. With the 2015 album Meliora, the band refined this style even further, winning the Best Metal Performance Grammy for the song Cirice. The band’s theatrical narrative was enriched through the evolution of the Papa Emeritus figures. With the phrase “The Pope is dead, long live the new Pope,” each album introduced a new character. During the Meliora era, Papa Emeritus III took the stage, later followed by the introduction of Cardinal Copia, further distinguishing Ghost’s theatrical aspect from many other bands.
(From Tobias Forge to Papa Emeritus)
The 2018 album Prequelle signaled a more accessible shift for Ghost, both musically and in terms of imagery. Tobias Forge, the mastermind behind the band, cemented his place in the metal world with this album, which took a lighter approach to storytelling while still maintaining depth. Prequelle managed to satisfy longtime fans while also attracting a new audience.
The Magnificent IMPERA and Some Notable Covers
In the cold and gloomy winter of 2022, the lyrics “You will never walk alone, call me little sunshine” echoed, heralding the arrival of IMPERA, Ghost’s new album set for release in March. IMPERA was a clear sign that Ghost’s dark theater would continue for many years to come.
In 2023, Ghost returned to the spotlight with their fourth EP, Phantomime. Consisting of five cover songs, the EP breathed new life into cult classics. Its lead single, a cover of Genesis’s Jesus He Knows Me, highlighted Ghost’s satirical and bold nature. (Genesis wrote “Jesus He Knows Me” in 1991, as a satire of greedy and phony televangelists asking money from their viewers). The second and final single, a cover of Iron Maiden’s Phantom of the Opera, was released on May 16, 2023.
(IMPERA was released on 2022.)
In an interview with NME, Tobias Forge revealed that the Phantomime project was initially conceived as a full 10-song cover album, meant to complement Impera. However, due to the impact of Impera, the project was scaled down to an EP. Forge mentioned that he had recorded demos for Phantomime alongside the Impera sessions, with plans to cover songs from bands like Motörhead, Misfits, and U2. He also recorded a demo of Rush’s “Distant Early Warning”.
The EP’s theme was inspired by American political culture, particularly figures like Donald Trump. Forge explained that he chose Genesis’s “Jesus He Knows Me” because he felt its lyrics were just as, if not more, relevant today than when the song was first released in 1992.
Ghost continues to solidify its place in music history not only through its music but also with its theatrical performances, storytelling, and creative imagery. The anticipation for how the band will further enrich its stage shows and musical narratives in the future is thrilling. And, of course, we eagerly await the chance to witness their dark festivities live in our country.
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