GHOST

The Grammy winning Swedish band, Ghost, unleashed its Ghouls on the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on December 15th, 2018. The arena’s stage was transformed into a one of a kind cathedral complete with a backdrop of stained glass panels depicting the previous Papas (satanic popes). A perfect set for a ritual. That Saturday night show was something special for the band. Not only was it the last show of the tour (A Pale Tour Named Death), it was only the second time they headlined an arena in the U.S. The first was earlier in the tour at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

With no supporting acts, Cardinal Copia along with the nameless Ghouls took to the stage promptly at 8 p.m. to the track “Ashes”. The audience proved that Ghost doesn’t need an opening band to warm up the crowd. When they started playing their Grammy nominated rock single “Rats” off their 2018 album Prequelle everyone was on their feet. The show was broken into Acts with the first Act consisting of songs from their newest album as well as previous fan favorites like “Circe” and “Absolution” both from their 2015 release Meliora. Papa Nihil , even in his weakened state of health, joined the the band during Miasma” for a saxophone solo that exhausted his energy and toppled him. Act one quickly came to a close with “Life Eternal”. Then the Cardinal encouraged everyone to take a “fluids break” and the band left the stage.

 

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After a short intermission Ghost returned to the stage. This time with the Cardinal wearing a red robe and carrying a thurible giving the audience a real sense of being immersed in a satanic ceremony. After a few songs they played “Faith” and “Year Zero” where the disciples went wild. This is what they came for. As traditionally done while performing “Mummy Dust” confetti cannons shot out a mix of confetti and fake money with 666 and Papa Nihil depicted on the bills. The show couldn’t be complete without the band playing Roky Erickson’s cover “If You Have Ghosts” during which the Cardinal introduced all the nameless Ghouls individually showering them with accolades and exclaiming “Ladies and Gentlemen Ghoul” .

As Act two ended, Ghost left on a high note rocking out to their newest single, “Dance Macabre” followed by “Square Hammer”. Judging by the fans reaction “Square Hammer” was one of the more popular tunes of the night. As the song ended the members of the band took their bows and walked off. Moments later the Cardinal returned and proceeded to tell the throng he had envisioned a different ending to the show. Ghost wanted to take the whole arena outside and do “the dirty” with everyone in attendance. Instead the Cardinal encouraged all to go home and do “the dirty” with each other. At that point the nameless Ghouls returned to perform “Monstrance Clock” as their encore.

 

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