GHOST, the Swedish rock band that some people seem to like (for reasons I cannot fathom), graced the stage of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on July 23 with their latest masterpiece of mediocrity, “Lachryma”. Yes, Tobias Forge and his band of merry ghouls descended upon Studio 6B in Rockefeller Center to inflict their… unique sound upon the unsuspecting masses. Lucky for us, the performance is now available on YouTube, so we can all experience the cringe together. 🙄
Earlier this month, GHOST, bless their hearts, embarked on the U.S. leg of their “Skeletour” world tour. This spectacle is meant to promote their sixth studio album, “Skeletá”, which, against all odds, actually exists. Apparently, this tour is a “bold evolution” in GHOST‘s live performances. I guess that means they’ve added even more fog machines and capes. Prepare to be amazed… or not. 🤷♀️
The set design, we’re told, is a “striking blend of gothic symbolism and brutalist architecture.” In other words, it’s like someone threw a bunch of Halloween decorations at a concrete wall and hoped for the best. They claim inspiration from brutalist cathedrals, which probably means they looked at pictures of ugly buildings and said, “Yeah, let’s do that, but make it spooky!” 👻
At the heart of this design marvel is the “Grucifix,” which is basically GHOST‘s logo on a crucifix. This “colossal structure” hangs above the band, serving as a “visual centerpiece and a dynamic lighting rig.” So, it’s a glorified disco ball with religious undertones. Got it. ✝️
Rylander‘s design also includes “sculptural scenic facades on the lighting pods,” which are supposed to mimic cathedral interiors. Because what every rock concert needs is to feel like a church. Makes perfect sense. ⛪
The lighting supposedly leans into a “retro-rock aesthetic,” with nods to QUEEN and VAN HALEN. Because ripping off the greats is always a good look. This tour also marks the first time they’ve bothered with a “full-scale video production.” Better late than never, I guess. 🎬 With video content by Green Wall Designs, the creative direction apparently “transcends the physical stage.” Translation: they’re using screens to distract you from the fact that the music is… well, you know. 😵💫
In keeping with the show’s theatricality, the stage is engineered to “perform as much as the artist.” Which probably means it has more personality than the band members. Multiple elevated platforms, mechanical lifts, and concealed entrances are strategically placed for “dramatic reveals and character transitions.” Because nothing says rock and roll like a surprise pop-up appearance. 🎉 A “living, breathing cathedral of performance,” “Skeletour” apparently “redefines the GHOST live experience.” Or maybe it just gives people something to look at while they try to figure out what genre this band actually belongs to. 🤘
Rylander, the mastermind behind this madness, has apparently worked with artists like Beyoncé, THE 1975, Childish Gambino, Chappell Roan, The XX and FKA Twigs. So, you know, he’s used to dealing with actual talent. This is his first time slumming it with GHOST, bringing a “new dimension” to their already “iconic” stage presence. I’m sure he’s thrilled. 😏
The European leg of GHOST‘s 2025 world tour started on April 15 and ended on May 24. The North American leg launched on July 9 and will end on August 16. So, if you’re unfortunate enough to live near one of their tour stops, you’ve been warned. ⚠️
This past May, “Skeletá” somehow landed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Yes, you read that right. Apparently, 86,000 people actually bought this album. I have no words. 😶 According to Billboard, 89% of that figure was traditional album sales, with vinyl purchases accounting for over 44,000 copies. So, basically, hipsters are to blame. 😒 Notably, “Skeletá” was the first hard rock album to reach No. 1 since AC/DC‘s “Power Up” in 2020. Which says more about the state of hard rock than it does about GHOST. 🤔
The music video for the album’s first single, “Satanized,” introduced the new character who is fronting GHOST for its 2025 touring cycle: Papa V Perpetua. Because what this band really needed was another Papa. 🙄
Forge has performed as a “new” Papa Emeritus on each of the band’s first three LPs, with each version replacing the one before it. Papa Emeritus III was retired in favor of Cardinal Copia before the release of 2018’s “Prequelle.” In March 2020, at the final show of GHOST‘s “Prequelle” tour in Mexico City, they introduced Papa Emeritus IV, the character who fronted the act for its “Impera” album phase. Keeping up? Good, because I’m not. 😵💫
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
