photos + words: Brian Murphy
To the uninitiated, a Ghost concert must be a surreal experience. The theater. The pageantry. The cathedral-like set. Countless fanatical black-clad concertgoers adorned in masks and/or face paint. Calling it a concert almost doesn’t do it justice, which is probably why their live shows are known as rituals.
Founded in 2006, Grammy-winning Swedish hard-rock band Ghost is comprised of individuals who prefer to maintain anonymity, known simply as Nameless Ghouls. The lone exception is the lead singer, Tobias Forge, who initially went by Papa Emeritus.
Two decades later, Ghost performs for dedicated and impassioned crowds while headlining arena tours around the globe. After returning from Europe, Ghost kicked off their massive 28-stop, North American “Skeletour” at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore with a two-hour, 22-song set that spanned the band’s entire catalog.
Because each album signifies a new evolution of the band, and specifically its vocalist, the Baltimore ritual featured the debut of Forge’s latest persona, Papa V Perpetua. The frontman’s latest look features a metallic half-mask and leather suit jacket tailor made for any formal occasion. If previous incarnations invoked thoughts of a demonic pope, Forge now gives off serious G.I. Joe villain vibes.
After 18-minutes of somber organ music helped set the appropriate mood for the evening, the curtain dropped and the band materialized on stage, promptly diving into two of their newest offerings: “Peacefield” followed by “Lachryma.”
Beginning the show with two brand-new singles made sense because Ghost topped the Billboard 200 albums chart earlier this year with the release of their sixth-studio album, Skeletá. Not only was this the first time they’ve ever topped the Billboard 200, but it marked the first time any hard rock band topped the charts since 2020.
“Peacefield” begins with a choirboy singing while an organ accompanies with a gentle, soothing tune before a guitar riff straight out of a Journey anthem kicks things into high gear. And with that, we were officially underway. While “Peacefield” is a song about hope, “Lachryma” is more of an exorcism.
Moving on from a toxic relationship is much more palpable when it involves layered harmonies and deeply catchy guitar work, as is the case with “Lachryma.” For my money, this is the best track off the new album, and it provided an excellent opportunity for the Nameless Ghouls – skeletons dressed in top hats and habits – to shine while Forge sings of escaping from a painful experience.
Much about the band is shrouded in mystery, which is clearly no accident. Smoke, spirits and spooky backdrops – including a massive Grucifix (a glowing inverted cross with an embedded “G,” hovering overhead) – create a very Tim Burtonesque aesthetic. Add in a charismatic spiritual leader, hypnotic and melodic hooks to a sound inspired by 80s arena rock bands like Boston, Toto and Kansas, and it’s no surprise Ghost has amassed more than a billion streams.
Speaking of throwbacks to another era, “Majesty” was another standout performance of the evening. Odes to rotting carcasses and princes exiled to hell never sounded so good. Interestingly, for this tour it appears Ghost is leaning into their third-studio album, Meliora, more than their newest offering. On its 10th anniversary, six Meliora songs made the cut while only four Skeletá tracks were featured.
Boys and girls, what have we said about judging a book by its cover? Contrary to popular belief, “Satanized” is not about Satan at all. It’s about being in love. It was also another absolute highlight of the night, as Papa and the Nameless Ghouls commanded the stage, and their rabid followers sang along in approval.
Appropriately, the encore featured three of Ghost’s biggest hits: “Mary on a Cross,” “Dance Macabre” and “Square Hammer.” As confetti rained down on all in attendance, it became abundantly clear that the mystique combined with the immersive atmosphere and the entire spectacle of the evening had created an unforgettable experience during this ritual.
Before the night ended, Forge informed the sellout crowd that 14 years ago, Ghost played their first-ever U.S. concert – in Baltimore. So maybe it wasn’t exactly a coincidence that the band chose to kick off their North American “Skeletour” in Charm City. It’s also worth noting that CFG Bank Arena has officially established itself as a premier destination for performers of all genres. In the last year, major artists such as Tool, Keyshia Cole, Wu-Tang Clan and now Ghost have all kicked off their respective North American tours at the venue.
Setlist:
Peacefield
Lachryma
Spirit
Per Aspera ad Inferi
Faith
Majesty
The Future is a Foreign Land
Devil Church
Cirice
Darkness at the Heart of My Love
Satanized
Satan Prayer
Umbra
Year Zero
He Is
Rats
Kiss the Go-Goat
Mummy Dust
Monstrance Clock
Encore:
Mary on a Cross
Dance Macabre
Square Hammer