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Written by Marc Farr Monday, 12 October 2015 13:33

The satanic band blends intricate riffs and searing, church-like keyboards with a baroque rhythm section with vocal melodies that are best described as sublime.

 

The Pageant, St. Louis

The Pageant Concert Nightclub played host to the newest metal sensation, Swedish doom metal band Ghost. The show, which is known to fans as “The Ritual,” is not what one would expect from a band donning such a look. Aside from their attire and their anonymity, this is no freak show; this is a band that brings out the creativity of its fan base. Musically, it goes from ethereal to blasphemous.

Fronted by “new” frontman Papa Emeritus III (whom most believe to be the same person as Papas I and II), Ghost is backed by very talented, yet facelesss, masked individuals known only as “Nameless Ghouls.” Their satanic image and lyrics can be a turnoff to some fans, yet they fit the material and the image well.

Before Ghost opened the set with “Spirit,” the first track of its latest effort, Meliora, the crowd, some who had been waiting hours for the show to start, went spastic as The Nameless Ghouls took the stage. The band is an onslaught of sonic fury. Powerful and bombastic, this is a band that does its material great justice in the live setting. As Papa Emeritus III took the stage, the crowd went wild with adoration.

The set list was created from all four Ghost releases. Songs such as “From the Pinnacle to the Pit,” the harmony-filled “He Is,” and fan favorite “Year Zero” kept the frantic crowd on the feet, with hands in the air. As a frontman, Papa III is elegant and provides excellent vocals, delivering his evil verses with a delicious tone. Yet, he remains subdued, moving his hands in a soft, flowing motion as the music blasts from behind him. There are no big theatrics—no pyro, no real light show—and the band is better for it. There is little to mask the music, and the music rocks. Powerful is the best word to describe this show.

The satanic band blends intricate riffs and searing, church-like keyboards with a baroque rhythm section with vocal melodies that are best described as sublime. The bottom line? This band rocks live. A must see for old and new fans alike, Ghost’s St. Louis ritual went off with great aplomb.

Opening the evening’s festivities were London’s Purson, a female-fronted progressive Goth band that played a great set. | Marc Farr