Once the mystery ends, goes the adage, is there anything left? For Ghost, as soon as it was no longer a secret who was behind the Swedish rock outfit, the answer was a resounding “yes.” In fact, not only didn’t it matter at all when Tobias Forge was revealed to be the mastermind under the makeup – and continuously “new” frontman of the group – but they’ve just gotten bigger since.
Currently going by the name Papa V Perpetua, Forge leads his backing band of “Nameless Ghouls” into TD Garden tonight (July 21) as part of the Skeletour in support of Ghost’s sixth LP, Skeletá, which came out in the spring and is already the biggest album of their career. Notably, it was the first hard rock album to top the Billboard 200 in over four years, with AC/DC’s Power Up in 2020 the last. It’s also the first time a Swedish artist debuted at No. 1 and only the second time an act from the country topped the charts, going all the way back to 1994 with The Sign from Ace of Base.
Obviously, there’s much more substance to Ghost than they might’ve been given credit for when they first began drawing in the masses a decade and a half ago under the pretext of the unknown. A healthy mix of over-the-top goth and satanic visuals with a matching melodic rock and symphonic metal soundtrack would’ve fit right alongside the best ‘80s arena rock displays. Forge has been unafraid to play with conventions while fully embracing the peak past histrionics of Alice Cooper and Kiss with really catchy songs. Whether it’s the psychedelic stylings of “The Future Is a Foreign Land,” soaring “Mary on a Cross,” or devilish “Satanized” from Skeletá, Ghost unabashedly turns up the theatrics while playing it straight.
Tonight’s ritual – as Ghost shows are dubbed – is a “phone-free experience.” The logic behind it is to preserve the element of surprise for the live spectacle, create an immersive experience, and remove the temptation of reaching for your phone throughout the evening. Upon arrival at the Garden, concertgoers will have mobile tickets scanned before their phone is secured in a Yondr pouch for the rest of the night. Vendors won’t be accepting mobile payments, so remember to bring a physical credit or debit card. Anyone seen using a phone will be escorted from the building.
GHOST :: Monday, July 21 at TD Garden, 100 Legends Way in Boston, MA :: 8 p.m., all ages, $72 to $314 :: Event info :: Advance tickets
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