Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Ghost have marked a new milestone as “Mary On A Cross” reached one billion Spotify streams. The band have released a retrospective video celebrating the track’s success. First released in 2019, the song has since become one of Ghost‘s most widely recognized recordings.
Ghost was established in 2006, when the future leader Tobias Forge composed the song “Stand by Him.” Subsequently, Forge reached out to his former bandmate Gustaf Lindström to collaborate on the recording of this track.
In early 2008, the duo convened in the studio to produce three compositions: “Stand by Him,” “Prime Mover,” and “Death Knell.” Following the recording sessions, Forge commented to Lindström that their sound did not align with their physical appearances, prompting him to conceptualize the band as an anonymous “theater band.”
Forge envisioned the incorporation of horror film aesthetics and the traditions of Scandinavian metal into the band’s visual presentation. While the other band members donned black hooded robes and were designated as “Nameless Ghouls,” Forge adopted the moniker “Papa Emeritus,” dressing in Papal attire with facial makeup resembling a skull.
Initially, Forge did not intend to assume the role of the band’s vocalist, as he preferred to play guitar. He extended invitations to Messiah Marcolin, Mats Levén, Christer Göransson, and JB Christoffersson for the lead vocalist position; however, all declined, resulting in Forge inadvertently becoming the lead singer.
On March 12, 2010, Forge shared the first three Ghost songs on MySpace, which led to inquiries from record labels and managers within two days, expressing interest in collaborating with the band.
Ghost dedicated several weeks to the production of their inaugural album in a basement studio located in their hometown of Linköping. In June 2010, the band unveiled their initial single, titled “Elizabeth.”
Subsequently, on 18 October 2010, Ghost released their first studio album, “Opus Eponymous”, under the independent record label Rise Above Records. This album facilitated their emergence into the international music scene, achieving notable acclaim.
It attained the 50th position on the Sverigetopplistan and garnered positive reviews from critics, leading to a nomination for the 2011 Grammis Award in the category of “Best Hard Rock” album.
Furthermore, Ghost performed their inaugural concert on 23 October 2010 at the Hammer of Doom festival held in Würzburg, Germany.
