2010

Jump to Ritual: Hammer of Doom IV | Live Evil | 10.31 Klubben | Sweden Rock Magazine #76

Hammer of Doom IV

October 23, 2010

Performed at Posthalle in Würzburg, Germany

Five days after Opus Eponymous was released by Rise Above Records, Ghost performed their first ritual on October 23rd, 2010 at Hammer of Doom IV^[1]. It was not the most auspicious of beginnings. Set to go on stage at 1:30pm^[2], Papa Emeritus I and the Nameless Ghouls arrived on stage 15 minutes late and 10 minutes later suffered the loss of one of their guitar amps^[3].

Some, hearing Ghost live for the first time, had their doubts.

“In short: even though the band got back on track towards the end with their hit “ritual”, they could live up to their previous praise. [Papa Emeritus’s] charisma on the microphone was simply not tangible enough for that; The band has to make a lot of progress here, because especially when they appear so distant due to their self-imposed image, the lack of communication simply has to be replaced by the aura of the musicians.” -Patrick Müller via Google Translate^[3]

“[On the whole] the material couldn't really convince me, the dusty Seventies Rock sounds too toothless and arbitrary. The reactions in the hall were very ambivalent, so some celebrated GHOST with their theatrical appearance with inverted crosses, [mitre] and a lot of incense as the hottest shit since the invention of the electric guitar, others on the other hand withdrew with a smile towards the beer counter, because the performance there provided better entertainment.” -dekleenenils via Google Translate^[4]

But the devil worshiping ministry’s mission to spread their unholy gospels^[5] is targeted towards “individuals who have a void in their life perhaps caused by some form of emotional trauma or upset [...] so that in time the easily manipulated will come to share the views and goals of the Coven’s ministry and can prepare their own plans for the downfall of humanity.”^[6]

Not all in that first crowd were unreceptive to Ghost’s ministry.

“Musically, I can only say that I really enjoy the mix of seventies rock, progressive parts and a large amount of NWoBHM*! This organ! Hammer! The biggest surprise of this kind. The satanic lyrics that the band [...] want to bring to humanity are the most lovely melodies and the clear, beautiful vocals! Now the term “Powerpop,” which they advertise on their MySpace page, finally has a meaning. Very contradictory, but absolutely convincing as a whole package! [...] I also had no luck with the [buying of] the T-shirt. I first wanted to wait and see whether the band could convince me musically and when I went to the merchandise stand after the gig, it was completely sold out.” -Chris via Google Translate^[2]

And it only takes a spark to light the fires of hell. The ministry of Ghost had only just begun.

“Our mission is not as much about conversion as it is about underlining which path you have chosen to go, and where it will ultimately lead you,” declared Ghost in a rare communiqué. “We are the file playing back in your digital earpiece while you are carelessly approaching the end.”^[6]

*Common abbreviation of New Wave of British Heavy Metal

• [1]Setlist.fm
• [2]Amboss-mag.de, HAMMER OF DOOM IV :: We are Family
• [3]Oblivion Metal und Gothic Magazine, Hammer of Doom IV via archive.org
• [4]Bloodchamber.de The Metal Webzine, Hammer of Doom IV
• [5]Stereogum, Haunting the Chapel Ghost - "Ritual", via archive.org
• [6]Blabbermouth.net, Ghost's 'Opus Eponymous' To Recieve U.S. Release In January

A Ghoul Archivist, Hammer of Doom IV entry

The Clergy Archives, Hammer of Doom IV entry

Metal Hammer, Watch Ghost play their first-ever show in 2010 and see just how far the Satanic Swedes have come By Matt Mills (via Louder)

Metal Hammer, The 10 moments which have defined Ghost’s spooktacular career (so far) By Nick Edgeworth (via Louder)

Metal Hammer, “I’d been preparing for this my whole life”: the tragedy and triumph behind the birth of Ghost By Dave Everley (via Louder)

Metal Fanatics, Galerie, Hammer of Doom IV (via archive.org)

Live Evil

October 24, 2010

Performed at The Underworld in London, England

The day after Hammer of Doom IV, Ghost would appear again in London, England.^[1][2]

Live Evil is a metal festival inspired by the Band of the Week feature on the MySpace page of Darkthrone’s Fenriz^[3][4]. In it’s first year it was organized by Marek Steven of Amulet^[5] and Mark Lewis.^[6]

Lewis conceived of the idea and reached out to Steven who “thought it was cool to use Fenriz's 'Band of the Week' for a festival base”^[7]. The duo then reached out to Fenriz for his stamp of approval.

“[T]he festival came to be because my idealistic and uncorrupt blog made another person get an idea of a festival with ONLY band of the week bands. [T]hat means my whole life and interest became a festival without me doing nothing else than WHAT I ALWAYS DO. [A]nd to me, it was the ultimate feedback to get!! WO HO!!” -Fenriz^[3]

“One unholy weekend will see brutal performances from the very best underground metal from all over the planet. Live Evil is a 100% true metal festival, curated by Darkthrone’s legendary Fenriz, with all acts taken from his own ‘Band of the Week’ MySpace blog. Live Evil handpicks the truest cutting edge black metal, thrash, speed, death, heavy metal, metal punk and doom for two days of no-bullshit, real metal carnage.” -Live Evil website via Kaledomagorics^[5]

Live Evil was originally slated to be Ghost’s debut show after Fenriz’s Band of the Week introduced Steven and Lewis to the demo. After becoming obsessed, they booked the ministry for their festival. But Hell had other plans, and Ghost made their live debut at Hammer of Doom.^[8]

Perhaps it was the dress rehearsal needed to put the final polish on the devilish service. Live Evil, where some of the best names in metal had gathered to rock and be rocked^[8], was the ritual that sent the ripples through metal’s underground^[9] which would come back in a tsunami of Satan.

• [1]Setlist.fm
• [2]Live Evil's MySpace (via archive.org)
• [3]Nocturnal Cult Webzine, Interview with Fenriz of Darkthrone 2010 (April) by Berg
• [4]Blabbermouth, Angel Witch, Vulcano Confirmed For U.K.'s Live Evil Festival
• [5]Metal Temple, Mark "Heathen" Steven (Amulet) Interview by Lior "Steinmetal" Stein
• [6]Kaleidomagorics, Live Evil London Festival Curated by Fenriz by Chico Foley
• [7]Another Vision, Live Evil Festival - Let's Move Your Skeleton by Grim
• [8]Decibel, Live Evil Festival 2011 Preview by Jonathan Horsley
• [9]Kerrang!, The 10 moments that made Ghost superstars by Amit Sharma

Metal Hammer, Cult metal festival Live Evil returns to the UK By Jonathan Selzer (via Louder)

Collectors, Live Evil Festival: the cream of underground metal in London

Metal Hammer, Win Live Evil tickets and watch Ghost's first UK performance in full By Jonathan Selzer (via Louder)

Terrorizor, Live Evil 2010 (via ritual productions)

Metal Temple, Angel Witch, Vulcano Confirmed For 'Live Evil Festival' by Maria Voutiriadou

The Quietus, Feel The Metal: A Spotify Playlist From Live Evil

Brave Words, Darkthrone's Fenriz Launches UK's Live Evil Festival 2010

Revolver, Watch Ghost Play Second Show Ever at Live Evil Fest in 2010 by Kelsey Chapstick

Ulitimate Guitar.com, Here's How Ghost Sounded on Their First Live Show Back in 2010 by JorgeM93

Lurker, Live Evil 2010 (23-24 October, Underworld) by Richard

The Clergy Archives, Live Evil entry

Alive, Photography of Alex York

Klubben

October 31, 2010

Performed at Klubben in Stockholm, Sweden

On September 14th of 2010, two final dates were added to the Watain Reaping Death tour.^[1]

“Having just returned from a wild hunt through Sweden, WATAIN can now announce two new Scandinavian dates added to the Reaping Death Tour! On October 30th, WATAIN will return to Oslo, Norway to perform at Betong. On 31th of October, also known as Samhain, WATAIN will end the tour in Stockholm.

Because of this night being important in both black magical contexts and also being the last one of the Reaping Death tour, we have decided to invite two special guests on this night of hunger. We are very proud to present the following lineup” -via Earsplit Public Relations^[1]

Already touring with Australian extreme metal band^[2] Deströyer 666, the two guests added were Sweden natives, Repugnant and, of course (or this entry would not have made this list) the devil worshiping ministry themselves, Ghost.

The October 31st show at Klubben would go on to sell out, and amongst the audience the congregation of Ghost would grow:

“Only good/interesting bands tonight! First on stage Überhäipde GHOST. Cool as hell, just have to listen to them some more. (Opus Eponymous release October 18. Like a couple of weeks ago.) Lots of secrets with this band...among other things nobody (or not many, rather) knows which people are actually part of the band.” -Soile Sirrtola (via Google Translate)^[3]

“The nameless singer sounded really good live. Actually just as good as on the album, which is rare. The music was a bit more raw than on "Opus Eponymous", it sounded more like the demo recordings, I think. Nothing wrong with this though, but I like the clean sound on the album a bit more. The concert ended the only way a Ghost sermon could end; with the pope clad vocalist giving out Holy communion to the audience.

I'm counting the days to next years Roadburn festival when I will get to see Ghost live once again.” -Mattias Anderson^[4]

• [1]Earsplit, WATAIN: More Scandinavian Tour Dates Announced
• [2]Deströyer 666 on Wikipedia
• [3]ExtremeMetal.se, Ghost-Klubben 31/10 2010 by Soile Sirrtola
• [4]Top Five Records, GHOST Live at Klubben, Stockholm, Sweden Oct 31 2010 by Mattias Anderson

Demonia, Watain, Destroyer 666 and Ghost!

Granvik, Ghost, Repugnant and Watain

Sweden Rock Magazine #76

November, 2010

Excerpt:

“Our ideologies are one and the same. Different enclaves of a large secular organization may speak with different dialects, but most of us are part of the same body, or the same fog.”

He [Papa Emeritus] explains his unusual choice of words: “The fog is the chaos that will ultimately lead to humanity’s total decay and destruction which we will accompany.”

In classic black metal fashion, he puts a spin on the band’s agenda.

“Human beings are vermin, thus the end of humanity is ultimately a good thing. We play but a vanishingly microscopic role in this cosmos of nothingness.”

Why did you, as a leader, choose an outfit so similar to the one worn by the Catholic Pope?

“For the Pope it is a way of showing reverence and seriousness, and at the same time humility before his task. He uses it to step into the body that is the essence and the fog, something we advocate too. It is our way of becoming one with the fog.“

hings become clearer when the leader speaks of the meaning behind the name of the band:

“Akin to the tripartite view so stubbornly proclaimed by the Christian faith, we too believe there is magic in the concept of three and we are part of it: there is a god, Satan, a son, Antichrist, and a ghost in the middle that is the inexplicable - the fog.”