When you think of heavy metal, screaming and loud noises may come to mind. But this is not the case for Ghost, a non-traditional heavy metal band that formed in 2006 in Linköping, Sweden. While the band’s songs are still a little bit on the dark side, they are a much more melodic band. Since their first album release in 2010, Papa Emeritus III and five nameless ghouls have continued their success. Ghost is most well known for the masks they wear on stage to hide their identity and their retro sound. The Bite had the chance to chat with one of the nameless ghouls before they come into town on October 10.
What inspires your music?
So many things: culture, movies, other music, memories, nostalgia, things we never actually experience, food, love, hatred, jealousy, everything.
You guys wear the masks while you’re performing. Why’d you guys decide to do that?
Because as much as my friends and I love other bands who are just themselves and sing about everyday problems and how things work and should be, we wanted to create something else where we sing about my fiction[al] world or a reflection of what we are seeing. But the most important thing is that we are not to give away ourselves. I don’t feel like I want to put myself out there because I’m really not that interesting- so why not have a mask on for a second and get to be someone else. When I go offstage and take off that mask, I don’t have to be that person anymore. It’s nice being a rockstar and not having to be “that guy” when I get offstage.
Does the mask ever affect your performance?
Of course it does, but it does affect us in a good way because it is an important part of what we do as a band and it affects how people listen and see during the concert.
Are there any musicians you’d compare yourself to?
No, not really. We have our gods and our masters and our big heroes, of course.
How do you differ from other artists that are in your category of heavy metal?
There is one big difference because much of what we do is retro. Many bands that do the retro thing want to sound like a band from 1974, not realizing that every band from 1974 wanted to sound like a band from 1975, that’s what we’re doing. We sound like a band from back then wanting to develop.
If you could perform with any one person or band, who would it be and why?
ABBA. They don’t play anymore but, wow, that would be something!
What was your favorite song to write on your most recent album?
My favorite song was probably “Cirice.” I love that song. It has many different parts, and that’s the song I would go for.
What’s been your favorite experience with the band?
Coming to the States the first time, but not actually the first time, the second time. We had a short tour, and it was very groundbreaking because I always dreamed of touring in the United States. It was all very exciting, touring. I mean, it still is, but it’s not as magical.
What are some of your goals for the future?
What we want is to pull off a big show. We are very theatrical and ambitious and pretentious. Our dream goal is to have a big show with lots of props and stage presence. We are building for that all the time.
In 3 words, describe your sound.
Vivid, sad and majestic.
