Ghost Appeared at The Sylvee

The Sylvee was packed to the rafters on Saturday night with Ghost-heads who had gathered from near and far to receive the evil musical sacrament from Cardinal Copia and the Ghouls and Ghoulettes of Ghost.

Services for “A Pale Tour Named Death” began promptly at the stroke of 8:00pm on an impressive stage set with the song ‘Ashes.” The true believers were in instant ecstasy, and soon after it felt like the whole house was chanting along with the chorus to “Rats.”

A Ghost show is as much a theatrical production as a musical performance, and The Sylvee proved to be a perfect venue for this sold out show. The sight-lines are exceptional for a venue of this size and Ghost-heads ranging in age from 6 to 75 were transfixed by their Dark Priest’s performance

The Swedish-born Tobias Forge, who has been referred to as “the Andrew Lloyd Webber of rock,” is Ghost’s creative force, singer, songwriter, musician, and architect of the elaborate storylines that are woven through the band’s four full-length studio albums, EPs, music videos, and live shows, all of which advance the Ghost storyline.

Forge grew up listening to a wide array of 70s and 80s rock – Alice Cooper, Journey, Kansas, Boston, Black Sabbath, Jefferson Starship, Iron Maiden, and Foreigner. He’s a hardcore music junkie; and when on tour he regularly visits local record shops and adds to an impressive collection of music. He plays guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. Ghost’s new album, Prequelle, is loosely based on The Black Plague of 14th century Europe, a metaphor Forge hopes will apply to the societal ills of today.

Ghost’s music began as being much heavier, harder and “more metal,” but over the band’s recent history, their songs have evolved to embrace a more catchy, rock/pop sound. Tonight’s ceremony, however, was a delightful blend on both their older tunes and more recent songs which gave all Ghost-heads something to chew on.

The night was brought to an end with a haunting chorus of Monstrace Clock with the crowd singing “Come together for Lucifer’s son.” This would, of course, be unnerving for the uninitiated but in this context was beautiful and dark all at the same time. A perfect way to end the dark ritual.

Photo credit: Carmela Wiese