Ghost – Live at the 02 Arena London

Words: Kahmel Farahani

Images: Ryan Chang

With a long weekend ahead in London and the mighty Ghost about to release their new album, it seemed that the only sane way to spend the Easter weekend was in the company of Papa V Perpetua and his nameless ghouls. The launch of their highly anticipated 6th album Skeleta is only days away and tonight London’s o2 Arena is totally sold out.

Tonight’s gig , indeed the whole tour, is a phones free experience so after locking the mobiles in pouches the fans pour inside. Far from being an annoyance, it’s genuinely a relief to not even think about whipping the phone out for any videos or pics. You are encouraged to stay present and in the moment and this makes tonight all the more special.

Opening with the beautiful new song Peacefield, it’s got all the glossy guitars of prime 80s Def Leppard combined with the melodic brilliance we have come to expect from Tobias Forge and co. It’s a fantastic way to start the night and Ghost follow it up with another new song, Lachryma. It opens with dark synths before another monster of a riff kicks in. The nameless ghouls themselves have also had an update. Less steampunk and more Eyes Wide Shut than their predecessors, they are brimming with energy tonight as they bound around the stage, sing and, in some cases, dance up a storm!

One of the most impressive things about tonight’s show is the way Ghost use their stage. The band have always been one with a taste for the theatrical , but tonight the way the various backdrops, physical and digital, change with the songs and add a sense of the immersive. The outfit changes are still there too, but it’s the way that the band and Papa V have mastered their stagecraft that is genuinely impressive to watch.

Perhaps the biggest reaction of the night comes with the debut single from the Skeleta album. Satanized is nothing less than an instant classic of melodic metal and the energy that the crowd sing out the chorus with is amazing. The older songs like Spirit and Majesty sit comfortably next to a ballad like Darkness At The Heart Of My Love, a song that has made its live debut this tour.

After 6 albums, Ghost has managed to create the perfect marriage between their heavy riffing gothic metal and the brightly polished, infectiously catchy melodic pop. Tonight the mix in the 02 Arena is incredible, with flawless sound and the guitars coming right to the front in a way that emphasizes every riff of the twin guitars. Along with the flawless rhythm section and the arrayed line up of nameless Ghouls and Ghoulettes on on backing vocals, Ghost have never sounded bigger or better.

The main set ends with a bang and sees the return of Monstrance Clock to the setlist after a few years absence. After the briefest of interludes Papa V returns to the stage. “You’re still here. You think if you stay here and clap we’ll play another song? Do you think we’re so predictable?” demands the frontman, “well…we are!“.

The encore starts with Mary On A Cross and Dance Macabre and leads to another mass sing along and confetti cannons aplenty. Papa V also takes a moment to thank the UK crowd:

“15 years ago, Ghost came to London and played a small club in Camden called the Underworld. I think it stands there still. From that day on we counted London as a home away from home for Ghost. We want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Now there is one last song we haven’t played yet. You want one more?!“.

As the riff to Square Hammer erupts so does the crowd and everyone is on their feet. It’s the perfect way to end on a bang. After nearly two flawless hours, Ghost take their final bow and depart blowing kisses and waving to the crowd. It’s hard to think of a better live band still touring. Long may they continue the haunt us.