Anyone arriving for a Ghost show ought to know what they’re getting into. A Swedish metal band with a sense of melody and a two-fisted guitar punch – good start. The band is fronted by Tobias Forge, writer, singer and founder of the band. And, he’s the only member of the band whose name is known publicly; the rest go by “nameless ghouls.” Ghouls? Well, the band is called Ghost.
If you’re sensing metaphysical themes ahead, you’re right. Outside the venue, a few street preachers and religious tracts greeted the “sinners” in line, which somehow felt appropriate. As one fan quipped, “Their last tour’s theme was ‘Eat pizza. Worship Satan’—I like any band that makes fun of religion.”
And here we go. What started as a European metal curiosity has evolved into full-blown arena rock spectacle. On the 2025 Skeletour World Tour, Tobias Forge—now performing as Papa V Perpetua—leads his flock singing hymns of the occult in a ritual of fire, flair, and finely tuned musicianship.
State Farm Arena was packed to the rafters. A choral prelude set the tone before the curtain rose. No phones, no filming—the band requires devices to be locked in pouches until show’s end, which keeps all eyes on the stage (or on your wrist if you need the time). Inconvenient? Sure. But immersive? Absolutely.
The ritual began with the sound of music behind a massive curtain torn as if by demonic claws. When it dropped, the crowd erupted as “Papa” emerged flanked by eight faceless Ghouls in black robes, boots, and metallic masks. This is Ghost’s liturgy—Papa sings the hymns, the Ghouls deliver the sound.
At conception, Forge’s intent for a band was “a devil-worshipping Kansas.” Musically and lyrically, he’s nailed that vision. Drawing heavily from inverted biblical themes and theatrical irony, Ghost uses the language of religion to explore morality, temptation, and the human condition—just in a less holy register.
From the opening chords, fists were in the air, fingers stretched toward “Papa,” and voices joined in unison. Behind the masks, the eight-piece band (drummers, guitarists, keyboardists, backup singers) delivered a stellar performance. Ghost has a reputation for tight musicianship as much as imagery, and this night was no exception.
The setlist was a dark mass of crowd favorites. On “Per Aspera ad Inferi,” the audience belted:
“Oh Satan, devour us all, hear our desperate call.”
On “He Is,” they sang along to:
“He is the insurrection, he is spite / He’s the force that made me be / He is Nostro Dis Pater.”
And for the euphoric closer “Monstrance Clock,” the chant was:
“Come together, together as one, come together for Lucifer’s son.”
— complete with risqué visuals and the lyric projected on side screens like a satanic church service.
Fan favorites included the bombastic “Year Zero,” “Umbra” (yes, there was cowbell), and “Rats.” Even the newer songs were sung back in full by the crowd, showing how deep the band’s catalog has reached.
The altar-themed backscreen shifted throughout the show—stained-glass tributes to Satan, mock religious iconography, and even a moment when Jesus appeared… before rocketing to heaven amid collapsing walls and a rising lake of fire. The crowd roared.
Is that something to celebrate? That’s up to you.
For most attendees, this was less a sermon and more a spectacle—part Broadway, part Black Sabbath. Whether you’re there for the riffs or the ritual, one thing’s clear: Papa and his Ghouls know how to put on a show.
Ghost isn’t for everyone, especially those who take religious imagery at face value. That’s at least one matter of judgment.
On performance? It rocks.
Setlist:
Encore:
