Even though GHOST have only been haunting the metal scene for eight years, the five Ghouls around the satanic popes Papa Emeritus I, II and III already reached the status of a true legend. Not just because they mix sweet synth pop elements with harsh heavy metal riffs, but mostly because of their twisted imagery that changed on every one of their three albums and created a sinister cult that plays with religious clichés. Thousands of fans gathered on their current “Black To The Future Tour” around the world to celebrate the unholy mass and sing hymns like “Year Zero” or the catchy “He Is” and by now, everyone should know that GHOST are not a one-dimensional Anti-Christian rock band, but rather a complex act playing with religious, social and philosophical conflicts.
Only a week before Metal Wani’s Anne Catherine Swallow could speak to A Nameless Ghoul in Herford, the band won their first Grammy as “Best Metal Performance” and even though this came as big surprise for the musicians themselves, everyone who was already able to see the Swedes perform live, would never doubt that this award was well-deserved. But still, GHOST are humble and with his great sense of humour, the Nameless Ghoul seemed like a real gentleman, while he told us why the band doesn’t simply throw several riffs together, but constantly tries to challenge themselves by creating something new and interesting that evokes feelings in the listener. But he also opened up about his life with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and reflected on the current state of society and why he never gives up trying to improve the world – even if it’s only with tiny steps.
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1 comment
Appreciate the interview but some of the questions were beyond stupid. I could almost feel the level of contempt of the Nameless Ghoul rising when she’d ask these dumb questions or was flat out wrong like about their friend that commited suicide and she was insisting they wrote it for him when they didn’t. Then asking about his OCD and had to correct her on the reason for OCD is not for clean hands, then about a message or purpose for living and she is wanting to know what that is. Duh… The whole idea of Ghost is to not follow people blindly and she was acting like she needed guidance or someone to follow. I was waiting for the Nameless Ghoul to just say to her, “Do what thou whilst” as she seemed clueless.