Jump to content

Ghost (Swedish band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Maideneer (talk | contribs) at 00:38, 17 April 2013 (→History). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Ghost
Ghost performing in Sweden 2011.
Background information
Also known asA Group of Nameless Ghouls, Ghost B.C.
OriginLinköping, Sweden
GenresHeavy metal, doom metal[1]
Years active2008–present
LabelsIron Pegasus, Rise Above, Metal Blade, Trooper Ent., Seven Four Ent., Loma Vista Recordings
MembersPapa Emeritus II
Nameless Ghouls
Websiteghost-official.com

Ghost (also known as Ghost B.C. in the U.S.) is a Swedish heavy metal band, formed in Linköping in 2008.[2] In 2010 they released a 3-track demo, followed by a 7" vinyl titled "Elizabeth", and eventually their debut full-length album Opus Eponymous. The Grammis-nominated album was widely-praised and increased their popularity significantly.

Ghost are easily recognizable due to their eccentric on-stage presence, five of the group's six members wear hooded robes, while the vocalist appears in a skull mask and a cardinal outfit, and highly secretive nature of their identities, with the members being referred to as "Nameless Ghouls".[3] Musically, the band is often compared to groups such as Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, Mercyful Fate, and Witchfinder General.[3][4][5]

History

The beginning of Ghost was described by a Nameless Ghoul as "Everything started with a bunch of songs. We knew very early that to make this material work we needed to fulfill our dream of putting a horror show together with music.", "We knew it would take a while to get things assembled, get the imagery in order. It ended up being two years of planning before we made the announcement that the band was active. That led to a very fast signing with a record label and our first show."[6]

On October 18, 2010, Ghost released their first studio album, Opus Eponymous. The album was very well-received and was nominated for the 2011 Grammis Award (the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Award) for "Best Hard Rock" album.[7][8]

Ghost supported gothic metal band Paradise Lost on their "Draconian Times MMXI" tour in April 2011.[9] On May 29, Ghost made their United States debut as the final band to perform at the Maryland Deathfest.[10] The band played at the annual Download Festival in the United Kingdom on the Pepsi Max Stage on June 11. Following their performance, Phil Anselmo, lead singer of the band Down, performed wearing a Ghost t-shirt and invited three of Ghost's members to join him on the main stage. Down closed their set with both guitars and drums being played by members of Ghost. Phil changed the song title "Bury Me in Smoke" to "Bury Me in Ghost", prior to Ghost taking the stage.[citation needed]

Frontman Papa Emeritus at the 2012 Getaway Rock Festival

Ghost took part in the Defenders of The Faith III tour with Trivium, In Flames and Rise to Remain for a string of UK and Europe dates. The band then embarked on their first ever United States tour, 13 Dates of Doom, from January 18, 2012 in New York to February 2 in Los Angeles.[11] Ghost joined Mastodon and Opeth as the opening act on the Heritage Hunter Tour throughout North America during April and May 2012.[12][13] In an interview in early 2012, a Nameless Ghoul announced that the band is done writing their second album.[3][14]

On December 15, 2012, Ghost performed a special show in their hometown of Linköping. There they debuted the new song that was released online for free earlier that day, entitled "Secular Haze",[7] as well as premiering their cover of ABBA's "I'm a Marionette". The same show introduced the successor to the band's frontman, Papa Emeritus, known as Papa Emeritus II; believed to be the same person simply playing a new character.[15] On December 20, they announced their second album, Infestissumam, would be released in spring 2013.[2] It will be released on the new record label Loma Vista Recordings in partnership with Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group, marking Ghost's major label debut.[16] On February 5, 2013, the band announced their name change to "Ghost B.C." in the United States due to legal reasons.[17] Discussing the name change, a Nameless Ghoul said "B.C. is obviously a pun on ‘Before Christ’, but it’s just an amendment. In our world, we’re just gonna be called Ghost, and when we refer to our records, it’s gonna be the Scandinavian version, saying Ghost only, and we are never ever ever ever ever ever gonna call ourselves Ghost B.C. in any way.", concluding with "The B.C. is silent, and as soon as we can, it’s gonna be taken away forever."[18]

On March 12, fans could access a new song online entitled "Year Zero" if they promoted the band on Facebook, by endorsing its frontman to be elected the next Pope of the Catholic Church.[19] Infestissumam was originally scheduled to be released on April 9, however, the band could not find a manufacturer for the CD in the United States.[20] They were turned down by four US CD manufacturers due to controversial artwork for the deluxe edition of the album, which a Nameless Ghoul described as "basically a 16th century illustration of an orgy".[20] Rather than delay the album longer, the band decided to use the artwork from the regular edition for the US pressings of the deluxe edition and announced the new date of April 16.[20] The European copies and US vinyl versions will include the artwork as "Vinyl manufacturers don't have a problem with the artwork. Neither does Europe."[20] Ghost began their Haze Over North America tour on April 12 at the Coachella Festival, and it will take them to over twenty dates in the US and Canada until May 18.[21]

Members

Identities

Anonymity is a major characteristic of Ghost; the members have not publicly revealed their names and the group's five instrumentalists, referred to as "Nameless Ghouls", wear hooded robes covering their faces, while the vocalist, Papa Emeritus, opts to use face paint or a nylon mask with skull features painted on it. More recently, Papa Emeritus has been seen to wear a combination of a prosthetic face and face paint, which distorts his distinguishing features. According to the band, Papa Emeritus is "supposed to be the star", described by a Nameless Ghoul as "It's sort of like Eddie for Iron Maiden, except we have our Eddie singing."[3] Speaking of their anonymity, a Nameless Ghoul said "On a day-to-day basis when we are home, it can be slightly irritating at times when you have to justify what you are doing. Some of us in the band have experienced people telling us we have to quit our jobs. It's hard to justify quitting your job because you're pursuing a musical career, but nobody knows what band you're in [laughs]." But added "On the positive side, you can be released of a lot of the negative aspect of being semi-famous or recognized", "I prefer being my own individual and doing things with my friends. Fortunately, I'm doing this with a lot of my friends and whenever we choose to step outside of the bubble, we can easily do so."[14]

The Swedish Performing Rights Society is rumored to have Tobias Forge, vocalist of Swedish bands Subvision and Repugnant and former guitarist for Crashdïet (using the alias Mary Goore in the latter two), credited with songs as "A Ghoul Writer".[22] All songwriting on Opus Eponymous is credited to "A Ghoul Writer", causing people to believe Forge is Papa Emeritus. Ghost has stated they will not comment on any rumors of their identities.[14]

Discography

Albums
Singles
  • "Elizabeth" (June 20, 2010, 7" vinyl)
  • "Secular Haze" (December 15, 2012, free digital single & 10" vinyl)
  • "Year Zero" (April 19, 2013, digital & 10" vinyl)
Demos
  • Demo 2010 (2010, demo)

References

  1. ^ "Dave Grohl drums on ABBA cover with doom metal band Ghost". NME. January 21, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "GHOST - Infestissumam Album Details Revealed". bravewords.com. 2012-12-20. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  3. ^ a b c d "Swedish Metal Sensation Ghost on Anonymity, the Coming Apocalypse, and Sounding Like a Million Bucks in 1978". SF Weekly. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  4. ^ "Ghost (SWE) Opus Eponymous". sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  5. ^ "Ghost: Opus Eponymous". popmatters.com. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  6. ^ "Ghost: The Hellbound Interview". hellbound.ca. 2011-12-12. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  7. ^ a b "Ghost Unveil New Track 'Secular Haze' and Offer Free Download". Loudwire. 2012-12-18. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  8. ^ "WATAIN Wins Swedish GRAMMIS Award For 'Best Hard Rock' Album". blabbermouth.net. 2011-04-06. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  9. ^ "PARADISE LOST To Be Supported By GHOST On 'Draconian Times' Tour". blabbermouth.net. 2011-02-11. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  10. ^ "Ghost Confirmed for Maryland Deathfest". Revolver. 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2013-01-10. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "Hail Satan! GHOST January North American Tour Confirmed". metalinjection.net. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  12. ^ "Mastodon, Opeth, Ghost "Hunter Heritage" tour announced". riotfest.org. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  13. ^ "MASTODON, OPETH, GHOST: North American Tour Dates Announced". blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  14. ^ a b c "GHOST Working On 'Lavished And Divine' New Album". blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  15. ^ "WGhost Stream New Song, "Secular Haze"". Guitar World. 2012-12-17. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  16. ^ "GHOST On New Album: We Wanted It To Sound 'Like A Real Expensive Record Done In 1978'". Blabbermouth.net. 2012-12-23. Retrieved 2013-04-09.
  17. ^ "Swedish Metal Band Ghost Changes Name to Historically Inaccurate 'Ghost B.C.'". Spin. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  18. ^ "Ghost: 'We Are Never Ever Ever Ever Ever Ever Gonna Call Ourselves Ghost B.C.'". Loudwire. 2013-04-09. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  19. ^ "GHOST: New Song Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. 2013-03-13. Retrieved 2013-04-09.
  20. ^ a b c d "Ghost B.C.'s Album Delayed After CD Manufacturers Refuse to Print Blasphemous Art". Spin. 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2013-04-09.
  21. ^ "Ghost B.C. Unveil 'Infestissumam' Release Date + 2013 North American Tour With Ides of Gemini". Loudwire. 2012-12-18. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  22. ^ "Ghost Frontman's Identity Revealed Tobias Forge". metalinsider.net. Retrieved 2012-03-08.[unreliable source]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ghost.
Official
Other links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Ghost_(Swedish_band)&oldid=550730036"