15.06.2023 Ghost

Graspop Metal Meeting

Dessel (Belgium)

To secure a halfway decent spot for the upcoming Guns N’ Roses show, I had already moved over to the South Stage during the Ghost performance and watched the show from there. So please excuse the slightly unusual angles and greater distances in the photos. With Ghost, opinions among metal fans are always divided as their sound is very pop‑leaning. Nevertheless, Tobias Forge, in his current incarnation as Papa Emeritus IV, together with his Nameless Ghouls, delivered an undeniably impressive stage production.
Since they were stopping here as part of their tour for the current album “Impera”, the show opened with “Kaisarion” after the intro “Imperium”. It immediately became clear that all registers of showmanship would be pulled once again. The crowd was instantly warmed up and cheered Forge on. As is typical for Ghost, interaction with the audience was kept to a minimum. Forge appeared on stage as Emeritus IV in a suit, while the Nameless Ghouls hid their faces behind steampunk‑like helmets. The whole thing felt like a massive musical, with every performer knowing their cues and playing their assigned roles perfectly. Surprisingly, one of their biggest hits, “Rats” from the 2018 album “Prequelle”, was already placed second in the setlist. The rest was a well‑curated collection of the band’s biggest songs.
The theatrical aspect was further enhanced by Forge’s frequent costume changes. During “Miasma”, as in earlier concerts, Papa I. was rolled onto the stage in a glass coffin to perform the saxophone solo before being wheeled off again. The crowd celebrated with the Ghouls, who mastered the art of interacting with the audience despite their expressionless helmets. Their body language alone made it clear how much fun they were having. As time and hits moved on, the show reached one of its highlights with “Dance Macabre”. Confetti cannons fired, and with the colorful lights thrown into the crowd, it suddenly felt like being in a disco. People danced exuberantly to the rocking tunes before the band finally left the stage after “Square Hammer” from the 2016 EP “Popestar”.
One thing must be said about Ghost: even if their music is on the softer side and they polarize at metal festivals, they know better than almost any other band how to put on a grand spectacle. As mentioned before, a Ghost show always resembles a musical, full of pomp, theatrics, and outstanding visual presentation. It has a touch of an Alice Cooper concert, although I must say the old master still has the upper hand in that regard.