A Night at the Ritual: My Encounter With Ghost

Ghost front man Papa V Perpetua

Last week, I once again found myself swept into the world of Ghost - the Swedish occult heavy metal/hard rock band whose concerts are known as “rituals.” This time it was in San Diego - their lone stop in California supporting their new album Skeleta - on the smirkingly titled Skeletour. The experience was nothing short of mesmerizing and calling it a concert almost undersells what Ghost delivers: it was pure musical theatre. Eight masked band members commanded the stage, unleashing thunderous riffs amid dazzling lights, immersive video backdrops, and explosive pyrotechnics, every element was meticulously crafted to pull the audience deeper into their world.

Pyros exploding during the ritual

What struck me most is how Ghost has managed to do something very few newer rock acts can: sell out an arena. In an era when rock music often feels overshadowed, Ghost is proving that classic rock, hard rock, and heavy metal genres still have a place in the cultural spotlight. Their music doesn’t just echo the past - it reinvents it, creating a bridge between generations of fans. Everyone was standing, singing, moving. Even my son, who has wandered into the hip hop realm lately, couldn’t help but get caught up in the energy and walked out impressed.

And what a fanbase it is. Everywhere I looked, there were passionate devotees dressed in elaborate cosplay, blending gothic, theatrical, and metal aesthetics. The crowd was beautifully diverse: younger fans, decked out in gothic glam or treating the event as a parasocial pilgrimage, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with black-t-shirt metalheads who’ve been banging their heads for decades. That mix of old and new, serious and sarcastic, gave the ritual a vibe unlike any other.

Ghost's passionate fans - many in cosplay

Part of Ghost’s genius lies in their lore - dark, satirical themes that play with the occult while never losing their sense of humor. The theatrics, the storylines, and the tongue-in-cheek delivery are as much a part of the experience as the blistering guitar solos and pounding drumbeats.

Walking out of the arena, my ears were ringing, my adrenaline still high, and by the end of the night - as one of Ghost’s newest single declares - I was fully Satanized.

(Photos courtesy of Ghost's official social media channels)