Øyafesivalen

August 12, 2011

Performed at Middeladerparken in Oslo, Norway

Øyafesivalen announced Ghost’s upcoming appearance with a brief article detailing their devilish’s short history up to that point:

“In recent months, more and more people have spoken warmly about the metal band Ghost from Sweden. The reason for this is mainly the album Opus Eponymous, which came out in October. In addition, they have received fantastic reception after their performance at the Live Evil festival in England this fall, a festival that had Fenriz (Darkthrone) as curator. Despite the fact that this was only their second concert ever, their theatrical doomsday rock ended up being the absolute highlight of the festival, according to those in attendance. The band is not the first in rock history to hide behind masks and costumes, but probably the only one where the band members are totally nameless. Secrecy, mysticism and elements of Satanism permeate not only image, but also music. Ghost has taken the best of early 70s doom and metal, to blend it with strong melody and respect for NWOBHM from circa 1980. Ghost himself believes that this is really black metal.

Despite their approach to traditional metal expressions, this group is one of the most exciting things to follow in dark Scandinavian rock right now. English label Rise Above, led by Lee Dorian (Cathredal and Napalm Death), was quick to secure signatures from the anonymous Satanists, and their debut album has received rave reviews. Whether you're into Black Sabbath, Devil's Blood, Witchcraft, Blue Ôyster Cult, Mercyful Fate or the sound of British industrial towns some 30 years ago, you'll have plenty to gain from Ghost. Metal magazines and websites have run wild with the good words, but major media outlets have also embraced Ghost. The Swedish tabloid newspaper Expressen's writer trumpeted "om det är så här svart magi låter är jag nyfrälst". Just look forward to the scariest of musical rituals on Øya in August.”^[1]

Ghost took the stage early in the afternoon in a small tent^[2], filling the venue with smoke and the smell of incense.^[3]

“Ghost emerges as a mysterious, exciting and extremely accomplished band. The sound inside the tent was simply impeccable. Everything came into its own, from hefty heavy guitar sounds to epic keyboard tapestries. The identities of the band members are secret, which of course only adds to the mysterious aspect. It was simply an intense experience. Good to see a band that isn't on that "we're just ourselves" bag, but understands the value of a cohesive concept.” -Erik Søhagen (via Microsoft Translate)^[4]

13 years after seeing Ghost for the first time at Øyafesivalen, reddit user aastroem reflects on their first impressions:

“I remember not knowing that much about the band in advance, but I had heard a little bit of Opus…and I liked Ritual. I also remember them playing a small tent (and probably the smallest stage) early in the afternoon, so I has to take some time [off] work. Maybe around 50 people in the audience.

I don’t remember that many [flannel] shirts, but I guess it was the fashion back then 😏

While I enjoyed the concert very much, Ghost didn’t become my favorite new band until I heard Infestissumam in 2013…and I also attended my 2nd and 3rd rituals that year. And now it has been 17 ritual in total, with the last one at Tons of Rock last [June]” -aastroem^[2]

They were also kind enough to provide the following pictures of the ritual:

Flannel clad congregants wait for the ritual to begin

Fog fills the tent

Papa Emeritus I appears in silhouette on stage

The Ritual begins

Papa Emeritus I and the Nameless Ghouls entrance the crowd

As the fog clears, a wall of light and sound encompass the tent

• [1]Oya!, Ghost (SE) (Via Archive.Org)
• [2]Conversation aastroem on Reddit
• [3]YouTube, Ghost! live in Olso, Aug 12, 2011 posted by Kai Mauseth
• [4]Musikknyheter.No, Island 2011: Ghost A Sovereign Satanic High Mass by Erik Søhagen

flicker, NRK P#, Ghost - Øyafestivalen 2011, Photos by Mattis Folkestad