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In this article, we’ll explore together why Ghost is often accused of being a satanic band. We’ll look at the extent to which the band uses these accusations in the media, how this benefits them, and how band members defend themselves against such criticism. 😈 After reading these lines, you’ll be able to determine whether Ghost is truly a band dedicated to the devil or not. 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
Controversial Swedish Gothic Rockers
Over the past decade, few metal bands have been as recognized and controversial as Sweden’s Ghost. Their blend of easy-listening gothic rock and Halloween Satanism has made them media darlings, who consider them ultra-satanic and scary due to their use of make-up and inverted crosses. ✝️ Their spotlight-grabbing theatrical approach and semi-attenuated metal have earned them international recognition, collaborations with other bands such as Iron Maiden, and even a Grammy for Best Metal Performance.
However, many metal fans find something disconcerting about Ghost… It could be their unique vocal style, with inimitable tones found nowhere else. Or perhaps from their costumes, which flirt with darkness but never rival Satan. Or it could be due to their popularity with the general public, which irritates metal purists who “only appreciate the first album”.
In short, Ghost’s self-powered publicity machine is rather peculiar. The band members will do almost anything to draw attention to themselves, as each of their actions is deliberately eccentric. And after that, the band almost systematically criticizes the press for giving them so much attention. Their publicity strategy resembles that of a teenager who gets a full-face tattoo and asks his parents not to comment on it…
The Rise of Ghost
A little background: Ghost made their debut in 2010 with a three-song demo blending doom metal with gothic horror themes. The demo became a true underground phenomenon, receiving praise from Darkthrone frontman Fenriz and many other underground metal fans.
Their debut album, “Opus Eponymous”, was released by two major independent metal labels, Rise Above in Europe and Metal Blade in the USA. The band soon enjoyed runaway success, thanks in large part to the enigmatic “Papa Emeritus”, who sported a Satanic Pope costume and skull make-up. Other band members, dubbed the “Nameless Ghouls”, wore black suits and commedia dell’arte masks.
Since then, the band have refined their music to incorporate catchy 80s heavy metal elements, and have released several hit singles. The most recent to date is “Rats”, whose video shows the band’s “new” frontman dancing in a ruined cityscape, like a modern-day version of the Black Death.
But the promotional side of Ghost has its own history. With each album cycle, a new “Papa Emeritus” (the name of the band’s singer) is introduced. Emeritus II appeared in a slightly more stylish dress than his predecessor, followed by Emeritus III with slicked-back hair, white opera gloves and a black Nehru jacket. And now we have Cardinal Copia, a mafia figure with an old man’s prosthesis on his face. As of 2018, Cardinal Copia has become Papa Emeritus IV.
The transition to “Ghost B.C.”
If the band had hired a new singer for each album, it might have been pretty cool. However, all these titles referring to the Catholic religion are actually nicknames for Tobias Forge, the band’s frontman. Forge had long sought to keep his real identity secret, but was eventually accidentally outed by Rob Zombie. He then had to give interviews to discuss the impact of revealing his identity.
In addition to the Papa Emeritus changes, there was also a name change. In 2013, the band added the suffix “B.C.” to their name for “legal reasons”. They finally dropped the suffix in 2015 and publicly regretted all the attention it had attracted.
Satanic Looks
Religious imagery and Satanism have always been closely linked with heavy metal music. The pioneers of the genre, such as Black Sabbath, were able to marry these two elements. Ghost, however, take this a step further. Their concert stage is transformed into a veritable church, where music is presented as a form of salvation, and the live show takes on the role of a religious ceremony. When the musicians take the stage, they are preceded by a satanic priest in costume whose charmingly vulnerable voice is backed by a group of cardinals known as the “Nameless Ghouls”.
Although Ghost’s satanic imagery has always drawn criticism, the band has eventually gained widespread acceptance. However, it occasionally faces accusations. In November 2018, Larry Long, pastor of a community of churches in the United States, said it was necessary to protect against “a supposed devil worshipper“. 👿 “This kind of group brings spiritual influences to our area, which worries us, because we believe the devil is real, just as we believe God is real.”
The band leader’s response is interesting: “I find it sad that people waste their time thinking we’re harmful to others, when in reality what we’re trying to do is make people happy and feel good about themselves when they attend our concerts and enjoy themselves.” Some shocking rock artists have paved the way for Ghost, such as Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC, Judas Priest and Marilyn Manson, who have also been accused of encouraging suicidal or homicidal tendencies in their fans.
Forge believes that “dark music, from gothic and death metal to black metal and hardcore”, can instead be a source of celebration and even salvation. “Sure, there are rock fans who, over the years, have done negative things to others or to themselves, but I don’t think it’s because of the music. It’s because they were going through a bad time in their lives,” he points out. “In fact, it may even have been the music that helped them hang on, keep going. Hard rock, in general, doesn’t advocate doing harm to others.”
He adds: “I think there are other styles of music that encourage a much worse way of life, one that might be considered more negative,” says Forge. We’re talking about music that promotes a lifestyle that its fans can never have. One that involves wearing “bling-bling” and being surrounded by lots of girls. In his opinion, this is a negative influence. At least in most gothic or hard rock music, it’s about feeling good about yourself.
Join the Movement, Young Rock Star!
We’ve just told you why journalists like to refer to Ghost as a satanic rock band. And we have to admit that since the band members have been granting interviews, they have defended themselves perfectly against the attacks levelled at them. Our conclusion: NO, they are not Satanists. They’re interested in dark subjects and have a special relationship with the Catholic religion, but that’s where it ends. 👹 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
