S Poddar
Tobias Forge, the mastermind behind the Swedish metal band Ghost, has hinted that the band’s signature lore could soon come to a close. In a recent interview, he revealed that the storytelling aspect of Ghost, which has been a cornerstone of their identity for years, may be approaching its final chapter.
Forge’s words are just in time for the April 25 release of Skeletá, Ghost’s eagerly awaited sixth studio album. Fans have already been treated to a glimpse of the album with its dynamic lead single “Satanized.” The album also marks a new era for the band as Papa Perpetua, the newest persona Forge has taken on to front the band’s dramatic performances.
Through the years, Forge has embodied a succession of different personas, each representing a different phase in the life of the band. Beginning with Papa Emeritus, the persona has changed through the different iterations of each successive album cycle, culminating in Papa Emeritus IV during the era of Impera. Now, when the band is poised to tour their new album, Forge takes on the persona of Papa Perpetua, marking a change both musically and conceptually.
But it appears the end of the lore is perhaps not so distant. Forge conveyed that while the idea has been a part of Ghost’s existence, it perhaps is no longer required for their creative growth. He commented on the future by stating, “I think that there might be an end to the storytelling because it’s not productive to have this endless soap opera.”. If the fans require the lore in order to enjoy the band, then that aspect will likely be over with very soon.
The lore and the constantly evolving personas have been a major contributing factor to Ghost’s success, making them unique in the world of heavy metal. But Forge described how the band’s attention could soon become more centered on the music itself. If there is a method where the music can be sufficient and still enjoyable, though, I am as needy as any other artist in terms of milestones that I want to reach,” Forge went on. “There are still venues that I want to perform at and still things I want to accomplish that will be another feather in my hat.”. I feel incredibly fortunate that I’ve been able to do a lot of those things, but there are still heights of success that I desire.
Aside from discussing the future of the band’s mythology, Forge also discussed the current state of rock music in general. He claimed that Ghost’s success is evidence that the idea of “rock is dead” is just not the case. Though he’s not implying that the band will become as iconic as bands such as AC/DC, he insisted that there is still room for newer bands to make a huge impact in the genre. He cited the emergence of bands like Sleep Token as evidence that rock music is still alive, with numerous newer bands having large followings and building critical success.
Ghost’s future performances, such as their show at Black Sabbath’s farewell concert at Villa Park in Birmingham, are proof of how far they have reached in terms of influence within the rock and metal community. Forge has also previously discussed how the strong influence Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne have on him has greatly shaped his career. He explained, “Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne have been a tremendous influence on me.”. Ozzy as a frontman and Ozzy as a solo performer is what I place a delineation between, as I came of age in the ’80s where he was far more of a rockstar than Black Sabbath were. I was drawn to that, yet I also came of age listening to the early Black Sabbath albums. These days, I enjoy just about all of Black Sabbath releases. Even the ’80s and ’90s albums, I love them for what they are, and the Dio era has a very special place in my heart, too.”
With Skeletá looming on the horizon and a new tour about to begin in Manchester on April 15, Ghost fans are eagerly waiting to see what’s next for the band. The tour will have the band bring their bigger-than-life shows to the UK, Europe, and the US, solidifying their position as one of the most thrilling and original acts in the metal genre today.
Though it would appear that Ghost’s lore would soon come to a close, the music itself is still the core of what they do. For Forge, the emphasis lies in crafting eternal milestones that aren’t tied to the characters and narratives but by the music itself. Whether Ghost’s theatrical narrative lives on or not, one thing is certain: the evolution of the band will persist, and there is still much more in store. The fans can look forward to an exciting new era with Skeletá and the tour, as Ghost does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
