GHOST – RE-IMPERATOUR – LIVE @ XFINITY CENTER

By Joe Perusse

With my summer break winding down, students back on the classroom next week, I decided to take in 4 shows out of state this week. Starting off with Ghost and guest Amon Amarth, two Swedish bands at the Xfinity Center was a great beginning.

Ghost always puts on a hell of a stage production and although the musicians, known as nameless ghouls, are an unidentified mystery they are superb. Frontman Tobias Forge, as Papa Emeritus IV, in this edition of Ghost came out to fireworks and a smoke show with “Kaisarion”. “Rats” had the crowd clapping along and head banging early in the set. After “Faith” Forge commented on the nice weather but told the crowd to keep the warmth and then asked, Are you in heat? which received a thunderous yes.

“Spillways” The title track off the new album was next. Forge came out with bat wings for “Cirice” which had a stellar lead guitar intro by one of the nameless ghouls. More fireworks ensued during “Absolution” and the crowd was pumping their fists to the sky. One of the ghouls started the intro to “Ritual” as Forge was starting to talk to the crowd so Forge let everyone know that that Mother Fucker ruined his story.

Forge wore one of his papal hats and the crowd was clapping along to “Call Me Little Sunshine”. A great bass solo led into “Con Clavi Con Dio” which saw Forge swinging incense throughout. A ton of smoke was shooting out from the sky during “Watcher in the Sky” and the phones were out en masse filming “Year Zero” which also featured a third guitar. The phones stayed out for “He Is” this time using the flashlights to light up the venue.

“Miasma” featured a great jam and Papa Nihil was brought out to jam a little saxophone. “Mary on a Cross” led into “Mommy Dust” which saw more fireworks, a return of the third guitar and a keytar out front of the stage. “Respite on the Spitalfields” closed out the main set as Forge blew kisses to the crowd and exited in a haze of smoke.

Forge returned alone to ask the crowd why they were still hanging around. He stated he was back stage and had already changed into his munching jacket. He then asked if he should change the jacket into a three song encore jacket which got unanimous approval. “Kiss the Go-Goat” was first followed by two of my favorites, “Dance Macabre” which brought out more confetti and “Square Hammer” which ended the night with firework showers from the top of the stage.

Amon Amarth, a melodic death metal band also from Sweden opened the evening. They had quite the stage presence, especially for an opener with huge Vikings on either side, a horned Viking helmet on which the drum riser sat, Dragons and tapestries switching from Viking battles on land at sea. Vikings would duel stage during the show as well.

Some of the highlights for me were “Put Your Back Into the Oar” during which lead singer Johan Hegg told the crowd to all sit and row like Vikings. It was a pretty amazing site watching everyone in the place rowing along and really fun. “Raise Your Horns” had Hegg drinking out of a Viking horn and the crowd joining him with whatever beverage they were holding. Olavi Mikkonen ( Lead Guitar), Ted Lundstorm (Bass), Johan Soderberg (Rhythm Guitar) and Jocke Wallgren (Drums) round out the lineup. Amon Amarth was I band I did not know before tonight but will be checking out more after enjoying their showmanship.

On a side note to my concert going readers. If you are attending a show at the Xfinity Center pay for the parking either inside the venue or out on route 140. It is well worth it if you want to get out quickly. If you choose the free parking I suggest doing an after show tailgate to kill some time because it could be hours before you move, especially for popular shows. Regardless of which you choose, you spent good money to see a band you like, stay to the end and enjoy it. Keep Rocking.

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