The Grammy-winning Swedish rock/pop band Ghost and A Pale Tour Named DEATH made an appearance at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Sunday night to a packed house. The band, known for its theatrical stage shows, which are presented in two acts with an intermission, similar to a play. The band continues to promote their fourth studio album, Prequelle, the follow-up to 2015’s Meliora. Prequelle also serves as an introduction to the group’s newest leader, Cardinal Copia.
A Ghost ritual is a true experience from the church set to the nameless Ghouls’ face-concealing black tuxedos to the classical pieces, “Klara Stiärnor” and “Miserere Mei, Deus,” announcing the commencement of the evening’s festivities. The crowd erupted as the curtain dropped to sound of “Ashes To Ashes” followed by “Rats” as Cardinal Copia paraded his swagger across the stage as he preached to his congregation. Sounds of classic guitar riffs crossed with big hooks echoed throughout the venue.
The two-hour, 27-song program mesmerized the Ghost disciples as the Cardinal and the Nameless Ghouls delivered a flawless experience that left the newest of fans true believers.
Act 1
Song played from tape Klara Stjärnor (Jan Johansson song)
Song played from tape Miserere Mei, Deus (Gregorio Allegri song)
- Ashes
- Rats
- Absolution
- Idolatrine
- Ritual
- Con Clavi Con Dio
- Per Aspera ad Inferi
- Devil Church
- Cirice
- Miasma (Papa Nihil on saxophone solo)
- Jigolo Har Megiddo (Acoustic)
- Pro Memoria
- Witch Image
- Life Eternal
Act 2
Song played from tape Masked Ball (Jocelyn Pook song)
- Spirit
- From the Pinnacle to the Pit
- Majesty
- Satan Prayer
- Faith
- Year Zero
- Spöksonat
- He Is
- Mummy Dust
- If You Have Ghosts (Roky Erickson cover) (with band introductions)
- Dance Macabre
- Square Hammer
Encore:
- Monstrance Clock
Song played from tape The Host of Seraphim (Dead Can Dance song)
Check out A Pale Tour Named DEATH North America 2018 dates here: http://www.ghost-official.com/
Review and Photos by Steve Carlos