Ritual renewal: Ghost announces next papal chapter

The Swedish occult metal band Ghost has revealed that Papa V Perpetua will be the new frontman for the band’s 2025 tour cycle. Papa V Perpetua was mentioned as one of the acts for Black Sabbath’s last show, which is scheduled for July 5 in Birmingham, UK’s Villa Park. In a social media post, Ghost also verified the singer’s involvement.

The band’s first three LPs featured Tobias Forge as a “new” Papa Emeritus, with each Papa Emeritus taking the place of the previous one. Prior to the release of “Prequelle” in 2018, Cardinal Copia replaced Papa Emeritus III. The figure who headed Ghost for their “Impera” (2022) album phase, Papa Emeritus IV, was formally introduced by the band at the last performance of their “Prequelle” tour in Mexico City, Mexico, in March 2020.