Review: Ghost, O2 Academy

It’s not easy to create mystery in the age of social media. A couple of clicks and you’ll be able to find out who someone is, what they do, what their dog is called and what they ate for breakfast. This spells a tricky environment for anonymous bands. Would Kiss, or even Slipknot, have survived in the climate of oversharing, had they emerged with a debut record now? It’s doubtful their mystique would have lasted long.

Yet somehow Ghost have managed it. The Swedes have created a dark, secretive aura so intriguing that the rock world has found them impossible to resist. 2015 has seen the band rise up to new heights of stardom; from touring arenas with Iron Maiden to charting in the top 10 with latest album Meliora. Finally, they are gracing Bristol once again to teach us a valuable lesson in theatrical prog rock.

Before Ghost take to the stage the atmosphere is already electric. Sombre church music plays over the P.A and the lights are dimmed to a deep blue hue. Instantly you can see why their fans refer to a Ghost gig as a ‘ritual’. From the stained glass-church window backdrop to the smell of burning incense filling the room, the Academy has been transformed into a place of worship, and the band have allowed nothing to shatter this illusion.

The cheers that greet Ghost are deafening, but equally as loud are the crowd singing every single word to opening tune Spirit. For all their grim imagery, Ghost are a very catchy, melodic band. Singer Papa Emeritus 3’s vocals are blissfully smooth as he croons satanic verses of Per Aspera ad Inferi. It’s a juxtaposition that makes them all the more magnetic – the wonderful fact that Ghost sound nothing like you would expect them to. If you don’t judge a book by it’s cover, then you can’t judge a band by their makeup.

Another surprising factor of the show was the band’s lack of amplifiers. For a band with such a ’70s-based rock sound; you would expect to see some vintage Marshalls lined up on the stage. But no. This is a modern take on classic, and it sounds absolutely perfect.

The synths whirring, the guitar leads shimmering, the thud of the floor tom echoing throughout the room; it’s a slick production indeed yet their delivery remains remarkably soulful. How do they do it?! Yet another Ghost mystery.

The material from their latest album Meliora received the best response, from the huge chorus of Grammy-nominated single Cirice to the groovy metal riffs of Mummy Dust. Their set exhibits a diverse range of doom, metal, prog and pop influences, without ever sounding disjointed. Even the power-ballad He Is (which is a love song written about Satan, of course) is dripping with the particular sonic charm that makes this band so irresistible.

When frontman Papa interacts with the crowd, a layer of tongue-in-cheek humour becomes evident. “The female orgasm was considered to be the work of the devil” he gleefully announces before set-closer Monstrance Clock – with fitting lyrics “come together, together as one, come together for Lucifer’s son.” If tonight proved anything, it’s that Ghost are a multifaceted band indeed. Their shades may all be dark and gloomy, but they shine like nothing else.