According to the charismatic lead singer of the Swedish shock-rock band, dark music - encompassing gothic, death metal, black metal, and hardcore - is a cause for both celebration and salvation.
In the last ten years, Swedish metal band Ghost has defied the odds and gained mainstream success. They were awarded a Grammy for their metal performance in 2016 and have received three nominations since then, including their latest single "Call Me Little Sunshine" from their 2022 album Impera. Despite its unconventional themes of "demigod worship" and "the downfall of empires after the Black Plague," Impera managed to produce Ghost's first Hot 100 single, "Mary on a Cross," and debut at No.2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album also won both Favorite Rock Album at the American Music Awards and Best Rock Album of the Year at the iHeart Radio Music Awards in 2023, as voted by fans. Among Ghost's loyal followers is Def Leppard's Joe Elliott, who even made a guest appearance on a new version of one of Impera's tracks. However, not everyone is a fan of Ghost's polarizing music style, as acknowledged by frontman Tobias Forge (also known as Papa Emeritus or Cardinal Copia) in his fearless pursuit of artistic expression.
Despite facing criticism for their exaggerated satanic imagery, Ghost has only gained more attention as their fame has grown. This led to protests during their "A Pale Tour Named Death" in the US, including a bizarre incident in Midland, Texas that made international headlines. In November 2018, Larry Long, pastor of Fellowship Community Church, expressed concern about the band's supposed devil-worshipping and how it could influence young fans. However, this did not stop the show from happening and instead only increased the band's popularity. As frontman Forge notes with a chuckle, the church's stunt actually resulted in more ticket sales for Ghost.
Despite Forge finding some amusement in the backlash against Ghost, he also expresses a sense of sadness. It is disheartening to think that there are individuals who cannot differentiate between right and wrong, or distinguish between criticism and praise. The fact that people would choose to protest Ghost in the cold, believing it will make a meaningful impact, is saddening. What is truly unfortunate is that such individuals waste their time condemning us as a negative influence, when our true purpose is to spread joy and positivity for those who attend our shows. These concerns may have been raised before for other controversial artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC, and Judas Priest; however, Forge believes that even darker genres like gothic, death metal, black metal, and hardcore music can be a source of celebration and even salvation for those who connect with it.
Over the years, there have been rock fans who have engaged in negative behavior towards others or themselves. However, it is unlikely that this was caused by the music itself. These individuals may have been going through a difficult time in their lives. In fact, it's possible that the music actually helped them to cope and persevere. Generally speaking, hard rock does not promote violence or harm towards others. On the other hand, there are other music genres that encourage a destructive lifestyle, which can be seen as more harmful. Some pop music styles glamorize materialism and objectification of women, promoting the idea that one is only valuable if they achieve fame and wealth. This kind of influence can be detrimental to fans. At least with most gothic or hard rock music, the focus is on self-acceptance and feeling confident in oneself.
Instead of viewing Ghost as a unique entity, Forge sees them as carrying on the legacy of iconic shock-rock bands from 1984. Growing up in a culturally aware household in Linköping, Sweden, Forge's older brother introduced him to these groups, which he immediately connected with at just three years old. Records such as Shout at the Devil by Mötley Crüe and Stay Hungry by Twisted Sister were particularly influential for him. Thanks to his brother's influence and generosity, Forge continued to listen to these bands and his interest in music only grew from there.
Ghost has become the band of choice for today's youth, providing a much-needed outlet for creativity and imagination. Forge acknowledges that their shows attract a lot of young fans, possibly even being their first live concert experience. While he is pleased to have a positive impact on these young minds, he also hopes to keep the interest in analog rock alive and well through increased exposure and time spent in people's ears. In this sense, Ghost could potentially hold the same significance for today's youth as KISS did in the '70s. However, Forge is hesitant to embrace the media's declarations of Ghost as the saviors of rock 'n' roll. He would love to see mainstream music shift back towards rock, but is unsure if this will result in a resurgence of shock-rock bands with image-driven performances. Instead, he believes that the future of rock lies in the hands of today's 18-year-olds and the bands they form. Those will be the groups to shape the future, as history has shown. In five or 10 years, when rock may once again reign supreme, it will be unfamiliar bands that rise to fame.
Ghost is widely considered the top rock band globally. Their use of imagery and themes may not be for everyone, but many young fans seem to understand it completely. According to Forge, the main misconception about Ghost's music is that they are trying to provoke by discussing God. However, he clarifies that their songs are actually centered around humanity and use figurative language to paint a larger picture. He even finds it somewhat amusing, albeit irritating, when protesters take their lyrics literally.
This article's context was sourced from a previous piece on Yahoo. Give the Devil his due, this band is hellaciously talented. In fact, they are exceptional. With that being said, keep the faith, hold tight your rosery beads and keep close your faith. Prepare to be rocked! Tickets Here!