 | Written and photographed by Navneet Johal (C) 2018 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com GHOST @ Sony Centre For The Performing Arts Toronto, ON, Canada December 8, 2018 Presented by Live Nation On a cold night on December 8th, a horde of metalheads gathered along the bustling metropolis of Yonge and Front Street surrounding the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, queuing up for the sold out Ghost show. Many concert goers donned gothic attire, corpse paint, and even the trademark silver ghoul masks; while some brought young children. Once the doors opened, security was quick and efficient and venue staff promptly ushered everyone to their seats. As the lights dimmed, a sweet harmony of keyboard chimes and singing church choirs dawned amidst the gleaming stained glass window backdrops followed by the creepy nursery rhyme intro leading into the first song “Ashes”, and then everyone stood up. |
The first act treated fans to a cornucopia of hits covering Ghost’s entire discography from Opus Eponymous to Prequelle, including "Absolution", "Ritual", "Per Aspera ad Inferni" and "Witch Image". Frontman Tobias Forge enthusiastically engaged with the audience with hilarious commentary between songs and eccentric behaviour while performing; planting a kiss on the hand of a young girl near the stage upon bellowing the lyrics of "Cirice", “I can feel the thunder that is breaking in your heart!” Papa Nihil emerged clad in pope garments to treat the audience to a saxophone solo for "Miasma".
Three ghouls strummed acoustic instruments for an eclectic version of "Jigolo Har Megiddo". The ballad "Life Eternal" ended Act I ironically with fans echoing “Forever… forever” as they waved lighters in the air. Tobias joked that the 15-minute intermission served fluid input and excretion. There was no shortage of need for either. Long lines quickly formed to the restrooms and concession stands, despite food and drinks being very overpriced.
Act II set the mood with an eerie, chilling violin-accompanied chant of "Masked Ball" and Tobias emerged draped in red pope robes. Again, Ghost generously covered their discography with offerings such as "Year Zero", "Majesty", "Spirit" and "He Is". Commenting that a song bites or licks; and as he introduced "Mummy Dust", Tobias suggested the audience was sick of ballads, but this song was so heavy it would “tickle your tits and make your ass wobble”. As the song ended, canons on either side of the venue shot and showered the audience in confetti.
Finally, during the famous cover "If You Have Ghosts", fans were introduced to the entire band, all named Ghoul, except the keyboard players, who were referred to as lionesses, whom needed to be kept behind a chain. After the band took a bow, Tobias dragged out the encore. Initially, the lights returned for him to joke “Okay, the show is over, get the fuck out!”, followed by him telling a long story suggesting the audience have great sex when they get home. It is fair to say than after more than two hours of theatrics and jokes, nobody left unsatisfied.
Three ghouls strummed acoustic instruments for an eclectic version of "Jigolo Har Megiddo". The ballad "Life Eternal" ended Act I ironically with fans echoing “Forever… forever” as they waved lighters in the air. Tobias joked that the 15-minute intermission served fluid input and excretion. There was no shortage of need for either. Long lines quickly formed to the restrooms and concession stands, despite food and drinks being very overpriced.
Act II set the mood with an eerie, chilling violin-accompanied chant of "Masked Ball" and Tobias emerged draped in red pope robes. Again, Ghost generously covered their discography with offerings such as "Year Zero", "Majesty", "Spirit" and "He Is". Commenting that a song bites or licks; and as he introduced "Mummy Dust", Tobias suggested the audience was sick of ballads, but this song was so heavy it would “tickle your tits and make your ass wobble”. As the song ended, canons on either side of the venue shot and showered the audience in confetti.
Finally, during the famous cover "If You Have Ghosts", fans were introduced to the entire band, all named Ghoul, except the keyboard players, who were referred to as lionesses, whom needed to be kept behind a chain. After the band took a bow, Tobias dragged out the encore. Initially, the lights returned for him to joke “Okay, the show is over, get the fuck out!”, followed by him telling a long story suggesting the audience have great sex when they get home. It is fair to say than after more than two hours of theatrics and jokes, nobody left unsatisfied.
GHOST
Photo credit: Navneet Johal / (C) 2018 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
Photo credit: Navneet Johal / (C) 2018 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
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