Every clergy needs a flock, and Ghost have a congregation like no other. Who better to share what makes them so special than their acolytes? From across the globe, here are just some of their devotees who bathe in the light of Papa and his Ghouls…
Ghost’s legion is something to behold – Tobias Forge and his Swedish stars not only have millions of worshippers across the planet, but as they reveal to us, their creativity and dedication is next-level, from custom masks, huge merch collections and even an actual Ghost car. Plus: they really, really like plushies…
“I discovered Ghost in stages, almost like they were meant to be in my life. I remember seeing them on Myspace and being scared, as I was a big Gorillaz fan. Years later, they reappeared with Papa III, and friends sent me their videos, but I was confused as to why the singer always looked different. In 2019, I picked up a book titled Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns, and when I searched for it on YouTube, Ghost popped up. That’s when they came back into my life.
“After going through a tough time, a friend sent me Cirice. Listening to it while feeling broken was like someone had reached out to comfort me. ‘I can feel the thunder that’s breaking in your heart’ felt like I was heard, sung by my favourite Papa, Terzo. I started falling in love with more of their music. When I found out Ghost were performing at the Motorpoint Arena, I bought a ticket and downloaded all their albums.
“Ghost’s music has brought me comfort, helped me heal, and boosted my confidence. They even inspired me to perform in a tribute band – something I never saw coming! The fan community feels like a family, and attending Ghost Con was incredible. It’s like Ghost says, ‘If you have Ghost, you have everything.’ I’ve seen them live in Nottingham, at Download and in Birmingham. I’ve started collecting merch, including a custom Papa Terzo plushie, T-shirts and vinyl. I can’t get enough of their music and am looking forward to new releases.
“Ghost have given me happiness, confidence and a sense of belonging. They pulled me out of darkness, and I’ll be a fan forever, grateful for everything Tobias has created.”
“I first discovered Ghost in April 2020, around the time everyone shifted to working from home because of COVID. I was sitting in my closet – the only place I could fit a small desk at the time – and came across an audio file someone posted online of the band’s cover of Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles.
“As soon as I heard those first organ notes I was intrigued. The slightly spooky vibes of their music got me right away. I had been a fan of The Phantom Of The Opera since I was 10, and with that came an enjoyment of songs that are catchy and feature some neat organ sounds – so Here Comes The Sun was right up my alley. Once I started looking up more I found out the frontman was a silly little guy with some fun lore behind him, and he sang good music, so it was all over for me.
“In 2023, between flying across the ocean, trains, buses, taxis, and plain old driving, I travelled about 19,000 miles altogether to see them! I was lucky enough to make it to 11 rituals that year, and experienced many firsts because of it – five in France, three in Texas, one in Colorado, and then I got to meet up with the friends I met in France for both of the band’s LA shows. So far I have seen Ghost 19 times – I went to the UK tour, my friends and I will be at Madison Square Garden in New York, and of course I’ll be at the Texas shows. Of what has been announced so far, the plan is to make it to 23 this year!
“I’m really looking forward to hearing more from Skeletá live, and seeing Papa V and all his new outfits and whatever gags he brings to the show. I know I won’t be walking out of those arenas with my voice still working, I can tell you that.
“And I can’t wait to see where we are going to go from here. Every single new thing that has come out since I first got into the band has been wild in the best way, and I’m looking forward to more!”
“I became a fan of Ghost due to their connection to KISS’ make-up and anonymity, as well as the hard rock and metal I grew up with. Meliora became an instant obsession, especially Square Hammer. Their blend of solid rock and tongue-in-cheek Satanic themes drew me in, particularly as it provided a fun contrast to the fundamentalist views of my community.
“At the time, I was also dealing with personal loss. In the summer of 2016, I learned my estranged paternal grandfather was dying, and though my father refused to visit him, I connected with my grandfather’s caretaker and met him and a previously unknown uncle. Shortly after, both my grandfather and uncle passed away, and I found myself grieving while also processing the recent death of Leonard Cohen. During this period, Ghost’s music became a therapeutic outlet.
“I discovered Ghost while living in Detroit and have since seen them perform across several states. My first show was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, followed by Detroit, Clearwater and Grand Rapids. I also had a memorable meet and greet with Cardinal Copia in Florida. After moving to Georgia, I saw them in Duluth and Cincinnati, and I’m excited to see them in Atlanta with Papa V.
“My love for Ghost goes beyond the music. I’m a dedicated fan with an extensive collection, including vinyl, cassettes, CDs, action figures, Funko POP!s and rare items like a He Is picture disc and a custom-made clock. For me, being a fan feels like belonging to a unique, inclusive community that embraces freedom of expression and rebellion against oppressive forces. Ghost is a form of worship that encourages personal connection, and I love them for it.”
“In April 2023, my life was upended. What I thought was a stable, middle-aged existence – a married dad of two with a modest social circle – quickly spiralled into uncertainty. My stepson, knowing my love for rock and metal, recommended I check out Ghost. After a quick search on YouTube, I stumbled upon Mary On A Cross and instantly connected with it. The song’s themes of holding on to hope during a relationship breakdown resonated deeply with me. Curious, I picked up Meliora from a local shop.
“As a former struggling stage actor, I’ve always been drawn to bands that blend music with theatrical performance. Ghost’s mix of music and spectacle reminded me of the fun I once found in art and performance, and it gave me a refreshing perspective on life. It felt like a cue to let go of my worries and embrace a new direction.
“Soon, my daughter Lily joined me in becoming a fan. Ghost plays in the car, and she’s drawn to Sister Imperator, embracing the band’s theatricality as a way to express herself more boldly. We don’t like the term ‘superfan’ as fandom isn’t a competition, but I do enjoy the shirts and merch we have.
“With the introduction of Perpetua, I’m curious about the power dynamics between him and Copia. Their recent single Satanized might be one of their best, but He Is still holds a special place for me.”
“The first time I saw something about Ghost was a post of Papa IV performing Mary On A Cross. It caught my attention – I was curious about why a man puts on make-up to perform.
“Their music is not just metal, I love how they try different styles. My life has changed a lot since I became a fan because I have made a lot of new friends around the world. I never thought that would happen, and because of them, I am now the administrator of three Facebook groups about the band and I even made my own Instagram fan page for them.
“So far I have over 50 T-shirts, four vinyl records, two cassettes, four CDs, a whole collection of Funko POP! toys, DVDs, figures, plushies and many different patches and pins. I’m sure I will have much more in the future, as well!
“I hope they come to Asia at some point. At the moment all their shows are too far away for many Asian fans to get to.
“How much do I love Ghost? My friends say it’s like I’ve joined a cult! I’m so obsessed with them that they’ve become a part of my life. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the people I’ve met. I love our fandom so much – they are all so kind and helpful. Some of my friends knew it would be harder to buy their merch because I’m in Asia, and they were all willing to help me, even sending me some gifts or fan art. I am so grateful to have met so many friendly people… If you have Ghost, you have everything.”
“My son introduced me to Ghost, suggesting I listen to them and saying, ‘You like metal music, mum.’ I jokingly dismissed it, but when I finally gave them a proper listen, it felt like they were speaking directly to me. On a walk for my mental health, See The Light came on and the lyrics stopped me in my tracks. I was hooked – I needed to know everything about them.
“I’ve since become an avid collector, with over 60 shirts, 20-plus vinyl records, Funko POP!s, pins, mugs and more. My favourite merch has to be the plushies – they’re genius. I’m set to attend a special hometown show in Linköping, Sweden with some of my best friends – friends I met because of Ghost. I co-host a podcast called For The Love Of Ghost with my bestie Geraldine, where we dive into all things Ghost. We’re also exploring horror films that have influenced Tobias and the band’s lore.
“Ghost have helped me through some tough times, and I’m grateful for the amazing people I’ve met. This is my first Papa change, and it feels like the thrill of discovering a new Doctor Who; learning about the new frontman, seeing how he connects with the crowd, and wondering what direction the music will take. With Tobias at the helm, I know it’s going to be incredible.
“They’ve inspired me to be the best version of myself, to be more open, adventurous and to live life to the fullest. Without them, I’d still be stuck in a rut, lacking hope for the future. Thanks to Ghost, I’ve found joy, friendship, and a renewed sense of purpose. I can’t wait to see what’s next – bring on the new Papa!”
“It was 2022 when I discovered the band, when their cover of Stay by Shakespears Sister came out. It was actually a post made by an acquaintance of mine on Facebook which led me to them; they’d posted a link to Kerrang! about the song and I clicked because I love the original. Up until then I’d never even heard of Ghost. I liked the cover so had a look to see what their other songs were like. I think I listened to Rats and the live version of Mary On A Cross, and because I didn’t know anything about them, it didn’t occur to me that it was a mask. I watched the video for Rats thinking, ‘What an odd-looking man!’ And then I spent the rest of the next day – and the next day – thinking about him. That was it: the obsession grew from there.
“I always said I wouldn’t join Instagram, but then ended up doing so because an artist I like who does amazing Ghost-related pieces was opening commissions on there. I joined thinking I would get a piece and then leave the platform, but then I discovered all these amazing, talented fans and all this incredible art. I ended up talking to new people and have made two life-long friends.
“Ghost have also helped me get some of my creativity back. I always liked writing and drawing but was never overly good at it. Seeing the amazing art other fans were posting got me thinking, and I ended up going out, buying some paper and pens and drawing daft little wonky doodles of the band. I also started writing more – although I don’t share that except with friends as it’s personal. None of this would have happened if not for Ghost.”
“A friend introduced me to Ghost by sending me a link to Call Me Little Sunshine in 2022, and that was the start of my deep-dive into their world. I was captivated by their theatrical aesthetic and the mysterious masked lead singer. His multiple personas fascinated me, and the music instantly resonated.
“The dark, moody themes combined with humour and storytelling drew me in. At a personal crossroads in life, newly diagnosed with ADHD, Ghost became more than just music to me. Their songs provided entertainment, but also a mental escape, while their community gave me support and friendship. Over time, I connected with some of my closest friends, all bonded by our shared love for Ghost. I even started a podcast, For The Love Of Ghost, with one of these new friends, Natalie [above].
“I saw Ghost live for the first time in April 2022, just a few weeks into my fandom. It was an unforgettable experience; combining incredible music, theatricality, pyrotechnics, and the most charming, charismatic frontman. I felt more like myself than I had in a long time.
“What makes me a superfan isn’t just owning merchandise or obsessing over them, but the positive ethos they promote. Ghost have inspired me to live more authentically, fuelling my creativity and aligning with my personal training philosophy: to find joy in life and movement, and to prioritise what feels good for your body and your soul.
“Their community is incredibly creative, and I find so much joy in the fan art and support I receive. Ghost have brought immense joy, personal growth and friendships into my life. They have become such a source of comfort, and the message of living fully continues to inspire me every day.”
“When I saw the He Is video I was at a very dark time in my life. Something about that song just uplifts me. There have been a lot of things that Ghost have released that have coincided with things in my life where I needed that uplift, and I got it from them. The Hunter’s Moon music video was released the on the day my grandma died. Rite Here Rite Now came out in theatres the day before I went in for a procedure for cancer. And there are other very traumatic times in my life that Ghost helped me get through, almost to the exact day they released something.
“I’ve met many people through the Ghost fandom – shout-out to my Sisters of Sin! Four of them are a huge part of my life and I definitely thank Ghost for that. The band’s music is intoxicating and addicting. I went four solid years listening to absolutely nothing but Ghost. I still have those long spurts where that’s all I want to listen to. The songs are lyrical masterpieces, the imagery is aesthetically pleasing, and Tobias’ voice is just hypnotising.
“I have personalised plates on my car, and it’s covered in Ghost stickers. I have so much fan art and official art that it covers the whole room and then some. Almost every room in my house has a Ghost item in it. I have action figures, shirts galore, rosaries, plushies, popcorn buckets, blankets, the Phallos Mortuus, and so many other things.
“My love for Ghost gets stronger every day and with each new song or album. I’ve met some of the greatest people ever in this fandom. I’ve travelled as far as Oregon from Ohio to meet up with Ghost fans and I love the adventure it takes me on. The rituals are unlike any concert I’ve ever been to, and the music has me fully immersed into it all. Something about this band just gives me life. Ghost give me hope.”
“I first heard Ghost when a local rock DJ played Square Hammer. I was driving around, so I pulled out my phone to use Shazam to find out who it was because I loved it. When the song was done, I found them on Spotify and listened to everything else. They’ve been my favourite band ever since.
“Not long after I found Ghost I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am fine now, however at the beginning, I really had no idea how severe it would be, or even if I would survive – it was terrifying. But the messages from Ghost around dying, specifically Call Me Little Sunshine, gave me a strange calm around the whole thing.
“Shortly after, Ghost announced Imperatour. There were no tickets in my area, so I bought tickets across the country in Texas, and told my husband I was going on a trip. I really didn’t know what to expect, but the community I found there was incredible. I felt like I was meeting up with thousands of my best friends. The next tour I got tickets in my area, and tickets to the Kia Forum show. The speech Papa gave about life being an emotional roller-coaster, and that we’re not always feeling great really hit me hard. I appreciated that from him, and I needed to hear it. It took such a huge weight off my chest. Pun intended.
“My most liked photo on Facebook is me getting ready for yet another surgery and wearing a Ghost shirt. I posted it to my Ghost fan group and received so much support and love from everyone – just so many strangers telling me they cared and would be thinking of me that day. I’ll never forget it. And now I am cancer-free and back to my healthy self!
“According to Spotify I am in the top one per cent of listeners. My husband and son would tell you I’m obsessed.”
This feature originally appeared in the special edition Kerrang! Presents Ghost magazine
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