#infestissuman

[ghuleeh]

⭒Ghost(b.c.) matching bios 👻

- cirice

I can feel the thunder that's breaking in your heart... 𔘓

... I can see through the scars inside you

- Respite On The Spitalfields

I'll be the shadow...

...You'll be the light ᮫۟ 𝅄

- Mary On A Cross

If you choose to run away with me...

...I will tickle you internally ♡

- Call Me Little Sunshine

You will never walk alone...

...You can always reach me

᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶ ᪶᪶ ᪶ ᪶

[braziliannamelessghoul]

This outro keeps me awake at night...

I already tried to decipher the voices, the laughter, the whispering (you can hear Tobias saying "Belial" at some point), but I can't come up with anything.

BUT... this outro slays and makes my mind wander before sleeping. There's so much you can imagine with just a few seconds of music.

What do y'all think when you listen to the Year Zero outro? Any headcanons or AUs?

[grrrhoulxy]

...but wanna know the funniest shit ever? The thing in the middle.

That thing is a fucking divorce paper.

[moonlitministry]

Earth/Terra ghoul appreciation and a little something for the Infestissuman anniversary

[mrducktappe]

So, this is my first time posting something here so sorry if it looks bad or something 😭.

Terzo is comforted by Omega after being dragged off stage (Specifically, based on this fanart) Enjoy! :)

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After the ritual

Well, to say that Terzo had it easy would be a lie. Maybe he had some privileges in his life, but that doesn't take away the mental pain he had to endure.

Nihil was never a good father, or rather, he was never really a father at all. He was always absent. In what? Nobody knew, he was just not there, so it fell to Primo, the eldest of the three Emeritus brothers, to raise the other two: Secondo and, of course, Terzo.

Very young, Terzo had to give up most of his freedoms as he was practically forced to become a Cardinal and prepare for when he would inherit the Papacy. Although he couldn’t care less, he would still go to parties, live recklessly, and sleep around with any sister (and sometimes brother) of sin. He didn’t realize it, but he had wasted his moments of freedom, spending them on fleeting pleasures instead of seeking things that could have given him longer-lasting joy (and happiness).

Time passed, Primo’s era, Opus Eponymous, came to an end. He was there, he saw how everyone applauded his older brother, saw how they screamed his name… Saw how the Papacy was passed to his other older brother: Secondo. He watched how the Infestissuman era was a huge success.

With that came even more pressure. Sister Imperator was on him constantly, boasting about what his brothers had done and telling him that he had to do the same… or better. All of this pushed him further into partying and sleeping with anyone who would have him.

Once again, time passed faster than he expected, and the Infestissuman era ended. That was the worst and, at the same time, best day of his life.

The entire day he was anxious, thinking about what would happen, how he would do it, his papal painting, his outfit—it all stressed him out. Adding the pressure of basically the entire ministry, nothing sat well with him… And while everyone told him they expected the best from him, that they hoped he would do well, and other such things, there was someone who said more than that. Omega, a Ghoul he hadn’t interacted with much beyond casual meetings or formal greetings, noticed how tense he was. He approached Terzo and told him he knew he would do well, and even offered his help if anything went wrong.

Those words, as simple as they were, were everything Terzo needed—they were the push he needed. And once the ritual was over, Terzo approached the Ghoul to ask for his opinion. Such a simple interaction was enough to make both hearts beat for each other.

Who would have thought? A Ghoul and a human. But can you blame them? To Omega, Terzo was the most magnificent man, a complete flirt, a total seducer, someone who was more than what he appeared to be. And to Terzo, Omega was the first to see him not as a Papa, not as an Emeritus, but as Terzo—who he truly was.

Terzo finally felt he had someone to succeed for, something (beyond the Papacy) to stand out for, and he certainly did. Meliora and Popestar were huge successes; he even won a Grammy, a damn Grammy! (Which he wouldn’t stop bragging about, by the way).

Everything was going great… or so it appeared.

What seemed like a normal tour, what seemed like a normal concert, ended with Terzo’s worst fear.

While he was singing Monstrance Clock, some men entered and dragged him offstage. He was confused and scared—what was happening? Why was it happening?

And while all those thoughts raced through his mind, Omega quickly ran after them.

— “Let him go!” he shouted as he chased after them, but was stopped by another voice. A voice of superior command.

— “Omega,” Someone spoke in a serious tone. “Return to where you were.” Omega turned, and to his surprise, there was Nihil. And with no choice, Omega complied, returning to his place.

The minutes were torturous; Omega couldn’t stop thinking about Terzo—what had happened to him? How was he? Why had they taken him like that?

Finally, Nihil left, and Omega ran backstage. As he arrived, he saw Sister Imperator leaving with the men who had taken Terzo offstage. Once they were out of sight, the next thing he saw was Terzo, his makeup ruined from evident crying while his shoulders trembled… Poor, poor Papa.

— “Terzo?” Omega asked with concern as he approached him. “Amore, what happened?” he asked again, kneeling to be at his level and get a better look at him. His heart broke seeing Terzo’s tear-filled, swollen eyes and his makeup a total mess.

Terzo remained silent for a moment, his gaze lost while his mind replayed all the bad memories of the past, his insecurities… His feeling of not being enough. He felt Omega take his hands, and he let out a small, tired laugh.

— “Oh, Omega,” he said softly. “Sister really has… a way with words, doesn’t she?” He added, his face scrunching up again as he began to sob. “Foolish of me to think I was doing things right!” he exclaimed, pulling his hands away from Omega’s and bringing them to his head, starting to hit himself rather harshly. “Stupid, stupid, stupid!” he repeated.

Omega quickly reacted, grabbing his hands firmly, trying to stop him from hurting himself further. Terzo looked at him, then at their hands, and finally collapsed forward, letting Omega catch him in his arms, which the Ghoul quickly did, wrapping his arms around the fragile Terzo without saying a word. There was no need to speak—now was not the time. He knew all Terzo needed was his presence, his comfort, and that could be given in ways other than words.

When it was time to head back to the hotel, neither wanted to be apart. Omega didn’t care what anyone else said or thought; he carried Terzo bridal style the whole way. Terzo felt a bit embarrassed being seen as "weak" by others, but now he didn’t care much. All he wanted was to rest.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at the hotel. Omega gently laid Terzo on the bed, noticing how delicate he still seemed and deciding it was best to care for him, at least for the night.

—“Would you like to take a bath?” he asked gently.

—“Yes… I think a bath would do me good…” Terzo replied, his voice still dull and his expression still lost.

Omega nodded and went to the bathroom. He kept it simple, running a bath of warm water to help him relax. After making sure the temperature was right, he went back for his beloved.

As he approached the bed, he saw Terzo lying there, crying and hugging a pillow.

—“Terzo…” Omega sighed softly, sitting beside him.

— “I was a fool to think I was doing well… Stupid, stupid, stup—” Terzo was interrupted by Omega.

— “Terzo, no. You did wonderfully, there’s no reason—”

— “Then why did they take me offstage?” he asked, clutching the pillow tighter. “Sister told me, I had my chance and blew it. It’s time for someone else to take my place and do a better job. Primo did well, Secondo did well, they had their era, they closed their era! And I… I don’t know!” he exclaimed in frustration, this time squeezing the pillow hard.

The next thing Terzo felt was Omega’s hand on his face, wiping away the tears streaming down his cheek.

— “Amore…” Omega spoke softly. “I don’t know how you feel; no one expected this to happen. But just because it happened doesn’t take away your achievements…” he said carefully as he continued to wipe Terzo’s tears. “You did great things as the Pope of the Clergy, and even greater things as the leader of Ghost. You won a Grammy! Do you remember how happy Primo and Secondo were for you? They celebrated you all night.” Terzo chuckled softly, recalling how that night had gone, how much fun he had with his brothers, his family. “You know Sister is harsh with her words, and… and you know that most of what she says is nonsense. You were a good leader, and no one or nothing can change that. You can ask anyone—the Ghouls, the brothers and sisters of the ministry, the fans… your brothers… They’ll all tell you that you were an excellent leader. You don’t have to let Sister get in your head and make you think otherwise. You know how she is…”

Silence fell in the room once more, but this time, Terzo let go of the pillow and threw himself into his Ghoul’s arms, hugging him tightly as more tears streamed down his face.

— “Thank you, Omega…” Terzo thanked him. “Thank you for reminding me of the best part of all this…” At this, Omega looked at him somewhat confused. “Meeting you…” Terzo responded before planting a kiss on his cheek.

They stayed like that for a while longer, waiting for Terzo to stop crying so much and regain some composure. Once he did, Omega took him to the bathroom, where a nice warm bath awaited him. Although the initial plan was for only Terzo to bathe, he insisted Omega join him, and well, who was he to resist?

They bathed together, but it wasn’t anything lustful, nothing inappropriate, no hidden intentions—just quality time together, time to comfort Terzo, time to reminisce about the old days and celebrate the ones to come, time to celebrate what they had been and what they would be. Although neither wanted to leave the warm bath, they had to, as it was getting late, and after such a long night, sleep would do them both good.

Finally, there they were, lying in bed, the covers pulled up over them. Terzo lay with his back against Omega, who held him protectively around the waist, afraid that someone might take him away from him again.

Terzo was still anxious, still quite afraid of the future, afraid that his brothers would be disappointed in him, afraid of what awaited him in the ministry when they returned, afraid that everyone would forget who he had been as the leader of Ghost. But now none of that mattered... What mattered was that he was with Omega, his Ghoul, the first (besides his brothers) to see him for who he really was, Terzo, who had seen him at his lowest, who had comforted him in those moments. Right now, nothing else mattered to him except being with Omega, holding him, sleeping by his side, because he knew that no matter what happened, Omega would always be there for him, and that night filled with emotions had been proof of it.

[yrloverr]

I’m not aloud to put this on ao3 so I’m putting it here..

Me absolutely horrendously trying to understand ghost timelines! If I messed anything up I greatly apologize.. anyhow!! Bellow the cut !!

The Era

There’s four Eras currently, Opus Eponymous, Infestissuman, Meliora, Prequelle.

Opus Eponymous- 2010-2013

Infestissuman-2013-2015

Meliora-2015-2018

Prequelle-2018-2020

Impera-2022-2023

- impera was the last Era we had. The more popular one.

The Ghouls

Water ghouls- Bass

Chain- The first Water Ghoul

who got his name because he wore a chain around the waist. He played from 2010 to 2011, the first half of the Opus Eponymus era.

Lake- the Ghoul with the back eyes! Our second Water Ghoul played from 2011 to 2013, during the end of Opus Eponymus and through most of the Infestissumam era.

River- River, the 3rd Water Ghoul played from 2013 to 2014 during the end of the Infestissumam era.

Delta- Delta was the 4th Water Ghoul. He played for a short time during the Meliora era in 2015 before he switched to Rhythm Guitar.

Mist- The first female ghoul!! Other wise known as a ghoulette, she played for 3 months in 2016!

^^ to see videos of those ghouls above is less common most the time it will be Dewdrop and Rain

Dewdrop/Sodo- Dewdrop was the 6th Water Ghoul. He played at the end of the Meliora era, from 2017 to 2018.

Rain- the 7th Water Ghoul and Ghosts Bassist since Prequelle, 2018.

Air ghouls!- Keyboard/Keytar

So the first air ghoul was just called “First Air” I can’t find any other name for him. He was from 2010-2016

Zephyr/chAir- He was the second Air ghoul, playing in the band start of the Meliora and that was the only Era he was there for 2016-2018

Cumulus & Cirius- Our current Air ghoulettes! They joined both in 2018 and are still the air ghouls we have!

Fire Ghouls- Lead Guitar

Alpha- He was the first fire ghoul, he started in 2010 and was the fire ghoul until 2016, he was there for 3 Eras.

Ifrit- The Second Fire Ghoul, Ifrit was in the band for a year and only played for half of the third Era.

Dewdrop/Sodo- Dewdrop went from being the water ghoul to replacing Ifrit. He played in the last era, and is still our current fire ghoul.

Aether/Quintessence- Rhythm Guitar

Omega- The first ghoul, in case you haven’t seen the pattern he also played from 2010-2016, for the most part a lot of the first ghouls stayed in that time frame. Water really was the only one that got so many new ghouls.

Delta- Delta! He swapped from water to quint, he played for a very small time in 2016 before he left the band.

Aether- Aether played from 2016-2023, A lot of the videos you’ll see will be of him or the newest quint ghoul Phantom, Aether left the band due to the fact that he was called to play with another band whom lost a band mate and never came back.

Phantom- he’s our newest quint ghoul, 2023-currently. You’ll see him a lot in videos as well, since he’s the newest and a lot of people got videos on the last tour.

Earth- Drums

Earth- The first Earth ghoul!!! Wowwww! He was in the band again from 2010-2014. Little less than the others but it’s whatever.

Pebble- if you haven’t guess Pebble was the second drummer, Tiny tiny man. Was in the band from 2014-2016

Ivy- only played for around 2 months in 2017 starting in March ending in May

Mountain- MOUNTAIN!!! I love him, anyhow, he’s our current earth ghoul so he’s been in the band since 2017-2023/currently

Non-element/Multi Ghouls

Special Ghoul- This was a ghoul we would see only in the old interviews, this ghoul was played by Tobias Forge. The papa/creator of the band.

Cowbell ghoul- Cowbell was there for the ‘entire’ Meliora Era, leaving right before 2018 when it came to an end.

Sunshine- She joined the band in 2022 and was only there for a short time leaving in 2023 due to having other stuff she was doing.

Swiss- 2018-2023/current. Swiss is a multi ghoul. He does vocals, plays the guitar, and the tambourine. He’s normally seen on his ‘stage of shame’ or you’ll see videos of him interacting with other ghouls.

Aurora- She joined the band in 2023 for the last tour they just had, she does backup vocals and is seen with Swiss a lot.

The person behind each Ghoul

Although the ghouls are supposed to be unknown people have found the identities of them. So if you’re wondering who’s behind all the masks this is the answer.

Chain- Gustaf Lindstörm

Lake- Rikard Ottoson

River- Linton Rubino

Delta- Henrik Palm

Mist- Megan Thomas

Dewdrop/Sodo- Per Eriksson

Rain- Cosmo Sylvan

“First Air”- Mauro Rubino

Zephyr- Zac Baird

Cumulus- Mad Gallica

Cirius- Laura Scarborough

Alpha- Simon Söderberg

Ifrit- Ben Cristo

Omega- Martin Persner

Aether- Chris Catalyst

Phantom- Randy Moore

Earth- Aksel Holmgren

Pebble- Martin Hjertstedt

Mountain- Hayden Scott

Special ghoul- Tobias Forge

Cowbell- Neils Neilsen

Swiss- Justin “Jutty” Taylor

Sunshine- Sophie Amelkin

Aurora- Olivia Morreale (Princess Liv)

Ivy- Jan-Vincent Velazco

[eros-ghoulette]

I've got you covered bestie,

Favorite ghost song from each album?

Good gods, that's a hard one. let me think....

Opus Eponymous (my favourite album btw): Con clavi con dio Infestissuman: Ghuleh/Zombie queen Meloria: Missionary man (it's such a vibe) Prequelle: Dance Macabre or Rats Impera: Darkness at the heart of my love

And i absolutely love Kiss the go-goat!!!!!

I hope i haven't forgotten an album 😭💀

[hyperobsession]

hello mr. obsession man! may i ask 7, 20 and 25 for the ask game?

7. three songs you didn’t expect to like but eventually loved

Infestissumam - Ghost - Generally whole Infestissuman album didn't click with me at first but then I gave it a second listen after "not enough Infestissumam" was the main con in friend's review of my Ghost playlist (here if you wanna judge me or something - Casper)

Bible - Ghost - I slept on this one until @cardi-c mentioned how good is it

I can't think of something third so please be satisfied with the Infestissuman album as two songs.

20. three songs that remind you of the person who sends this one

Speed RCR - SCYTHE GANG 666

Deja Vu - Initial D

SHUM - Go_A

25. three favourite songs of 2017

Chosen - Maneskin

Beggin - Maneskin

I'm sorry I just went through my favorite bands and searched for 2017 because I do not remember songs with specific year. Anyways my music obsession started just two years ago so...

Thanks for the ask💖!

[succulent-ghoul]

Got an infestissuman album >:]

[monostardust]

I think out of all their albums Infestissuman is my favorite as well it just had more of that satanist church chanting that I like. It's like they're really about worshiping the devil and these songs are like the equivalent of church worship songs for the devil. I love it.

Sorry but Secondo slayed SO hard with Infestissumam. It's such a banger album – no skips, 10/10, the opener kicks you in the guts and the transition to Per Aspera is insane. Everything else is like a fever dream, almost like you're sitting in the chapel during Black Mass and listening to sermons about the downfall of humanity and the coming of the Antichrist. He gave us some of the most iconic songs like Year Zero, Jigolo and Monstrance Clock as well as some underrated gems like Body and Blood, Secular Haze or Idolatrine. The Satanic imagery is so rich and compelling, but it's not taking itself too seriously at the same time. His voice is soft and a little subdued at times but strong and melodic in the right moments. I will never shut up about how fucking good this album is.

[nickf07]

[godzillafan122]

My Fav Ghost B.C. Songs

Miasma

Ghuleh/Zombie Queen

Square Hammer

Year Zero

Rats

Dance Macabre

Cirice

Ritual

From the Pinnacle to the Pit

Missionary Man

[annah-the-compozer]

If you analyse the whole picture, considering this interview might be from the beggining of Infestissuman era (2013-ish I believe) then their ages in 2023 would be:

Primo: 90 years old

Secondo: 60 years old

Terzo: 60 years old

Copia: 53-54 years old (considering sister was in the very beggining of her pregnancy in the Kiss The Go-Goat show)

The question that rises is: WAS NIHIL OVER HIS 100's ALREADY??

And today i learned the Primo is 80-ish and Secondo is 50.

And all this time i thought Primo was 70 and Secondo was 40.

E v e r y t h i n g i k n e w w a s a l i e

[cl0rinda]

Come together, for lucifer's son

[tisthenightofthewitch]

AN INTERVIEW WITH TOBIAS FORGE.

The Swedish rock band Ghost will be performing at the TaxSlayer Center on October 8. Coming off a European stadium tour with Metallica, the group has headlined summer festivals and has embarked on a massive North America tour that includes New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Boston … and Moline.

Tobias Forge is Ghost's creative force, front man, singer, songwriter, musician, and architect of the storylines woven through the band's albums, videos, webisodes, and live shows. Although Ghost has been awarded a Grammy and had three consecutive number-one songs on the Billboard mainstream charts, it is the musicians' tongue-in-cheek anti-pope appearance that truly defines them. In a July 30 interview, Tobias spoke about developing the band's visual identity and his aspirations as a filmmaker.

Visuals define Ghost’s image. Are they as important as the music?

Oh, absolutely. Even though I don’t sit down and specifically draw and paint our album covers, I’ve always been very specific in what I wanted. And how I wanted the record sleeve to embody the record I made.

As a record collector, I am more than often compelled by the artwork of a record. I’m a firm believer in a really nice-looking record sleeve. And that makes me want to like the record more. Today, even though people might not consume a recording in the physical way we used to, it’s definitely a case of your visual presentation that accompanies whatever file they are going to listen to. If the graphic content is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, it opens up an avenue into people’s souls. I know this because I’m so easily charmed by record sleeves.

Are the album titles also important?

Absolutely. There needs to be a sort of a narrative between the artwork and the title of the record. And, of course, its content. In some way or form, it helps if the title summarizes a little what the record is about. Usually, most good records have some sort of theme – even though the songs might be about different things.

A lot of singer/songwriters go through phases: it’s the “divorce” album, it’s the “I’ve just gotten married” record. “I’ve just became a father or mother” record. And “now I’m older” record. And “the midnight crisis” record. And “the beard” record. In some way or form, it’s good to communication a little of what kind of state of mind you were in while making it or which state of mind you want the listener to think you were in. As opposed to just leaving it blank.

There’s a fascinating word play in your titles. Do you enjoy playing with words? Creating a sense of mystery through words?

Very much so. I’m also very much influenced by cinema. Even though I know there’s no film called Infestissuman (the title of Ghost’s second album), I also try to come up with a title for a record that could be a film as well. Like a big epic, three-hour mastodon matinée film. (Laughs). I’d like to make a film called Meliora (the title of Ghost's third album).

I understand that you have aspirations to be a filmmaker. That you’re working on a film. Could you speak about the film?

About a future Ghost film?

Yes.

I cannot speak about it in detail. But, yes, I’ve always been very fascinated with the art of filmmaking.

I definitely am in the process of exploring the possibilities of combining my musician career with a film project. Let’s put it that way. And as with anything cinematic, it takes a lot of time – and way more politics – than making a record.

In the process of this, I’m trying to vet my brain and my ideas into being super-sober about making a film that is actually needed and called for and will turn out really great – so that it doesn’t just became a really confusing project.

Over the course of rock history, there are a few films that have been made that are really cool. Even though many of them end up in more of a cult section because they are … weird. I don’t mind weird at all. I grew up watching a lot of films like that.

I would love to make a film. I would love to make it good-weird, but it needs to be good as well. It needs to be something that people can watch. I’m currently in the process of learning if I can.

The humor in your webisodes complements your albums, which sound epic. That’s a fascinating combination.

Yes. Just to give you a hint of what I spoke of in my previous answer about a possible film: a full-length film would be in that vein. Based on that sort of mythology. I believe that there is something more to tell within the storyline – within the concept of what we’ve outlined briefly – in those episodes.

Most of my favorite films have some sort of absurd humor in them.

I think it’s important for films, too. Just as with any dish at any restaurant, there are certain ingredients that you need to have. Even if its just a pinch of salt. Usually you need that. There are certain aspects in there that make it a consumable plate.

Even if you’re making a horror film or drama or thriller, there needs to be some sort of comic relief at some point. I guess what would change in a long format, is that it wouldn’t be as comedic every minute as it is in the short form.

As there is comedy in a horror film, your music has a unique dichotomy. You have metal riffs and an understated singing style. That’s very appealing to me. Was this natural to you? Is it something you developed?

Everything develops on the basis that it is being received. So I believe that to a certain degree if you’re an artist – be it a musical artist or a filmmaker or a writer or a painter – you need to be somewhat auditive when it comes to the needs and the wishes of your receiving part. As much as any aficionado of subculture, I like a lot of artists that just go against everything and make whatever that comes into his or her head regardless of what a public thinks. But most successful artists have in some way or form nurtured the relationship they have between themselves and their audience. The way that you would nurture any relationship with another part – be it a partner in life or a partner in work. There’s some sort of collaboration.

If you look at big bands that went from debutantes playing clubs to big arena acts, their first records are usually slightly more raunchy and maybe faster in tempo and might include a little bit more complicated arrangements. What you usually find over the course of time and further into their careers, they start making records that are more moderately paced. Or they are paced in a different way. Certain songs don’t really translate very well in a very, very big room in front of thousands and thousands of people. Common lingo among rock fans is that, “Oh, they sold out. They just want to sell records.”

No, they write music that will feel comfortable in the setting – in the forum in which they are performing these songs.

You do what you feel is good for both parties, and that’s how you develop your relationship with your crowd. You don’t do this 100 percent all the time. But you should be aware that if you start doing shit that your significant other – in this case the crowd – doesn't like, you’d be stupid if you continue doing it.

Coming out of a Swedish metal tradition, your music is surprisingly melodic. Sometimes hauntingly beautiful tunes with beautiful choirs. How did this sound emerge?

I have always listened to lots of different music styles. Everything more or less oriented in punk and rock. Except for my love for underground extreme metal from the '80s, most of the other types of music that I listen to are actually quite melodic. I’ve always been melody driven. Ninety-nine percent of the time, my way of listening to a song is to listen to the melodies. It doesn’t hurt if there’s a really good rhythm.

For me, melody is like the dialogue of a film. If you just make a film with just background, it might be an interesting idea. But if you want the film to be of value, you definitely need to have someone within frame saying something. And it’s important what he or she is saying. That, for me, is the melody of a song.

But then you can pimp the song out in so many ways and that’s part of the craft of songwriting. But without a melody, the likelihood of a song being good is not big.

On your first album, I understand that you played all of the instruments except the drumming. Is it hard to only be the front man in live performances?

No, I’ve learned how to deal with that. I just had to sort of disregard how I viewed myself. I always thought that I was going to be the lead guitar player of a band. A Keith Richards in the band. My intention with Ghost was the same. During the first four years – between 2006 and 2010 – up until the very last moment of recording the album, I still thought that, just before mixing the record, that we better find a singer. We never found a singer. So we kept my demo vocals basically. I re-sung them to get better takes. They were on the demos just to explain how the song goes.

That’s the way I’ve always worked. When I write a song I always play everything. So regardless of who might have executed it on a record or executed it on stage, it’s always my way of playing. If I were to play a bass in another band, that’s how the bass would sound. If I were to play drums in a band, the basics of how I arrange songs, that what you hear in Ghost. That’s how I play the drums. Then I get a really good drummer in to play really well, but that’s how I approach thought in all these different instruments. And that has become a signature thing for Ghost.

That makes writing records easier. That makes having a band together very hard. But that is just the nature of the beast. It’s just coming to terms with accepting and owning that. It has definitely taken some time.

Fame doesn’t seem to be your prime mover. What do you think of fame now that your identity has been revealed?

I have, as much as anyone who has any inclination to rock in a band, always wanted to be in a well-known rock band. What comes with that is fame. Up until I was probably 30 years old, I wanted to be very famous. And I wanted to be known. After I started working with Ghost, I was definitely enjoying … . I wouldn’t say anonymity. I was never anonymous. But Ghost and the visual side of Ghost was definitely overshadowing anything that I was. Over the years of being in a well-known band without being a very well-known person myself, I actually started to prefer that over being a recognized person myself. Despite having wished for that before, there are definitely two sides of being recognized. When you dream about it, you only see the upsides. It’s only about the perks of fame.

I don’t feel in any way or form that my so called “coming out” was negative. It was just a weird thing having to deal with a higher level of recognition so far into your career. That was a little bit weird because it usually comes gradually.

For example, for seven years I never took photos of people. If you ever saw a photo of me, it was always a friend of mine that took a photo and I thought it would never be posted online. Or it was someone taking a photo of me without me knowing it. So all of a sudden, when I was out of the closet, you couldn’t really tell people any more that you wouldn’t take a photo with them. All of a sudden, you can’t say no to anyone.

That is something I suddenly had to adopt to because it was very easy earlier to say no, no, no, no. You know how it is. Now if I say no, someone could be very offended. Which is a little sad because I might be on my way into a car that is leaving in 10 seconds and we’re in a hurry. And there are 10 people by the car and you’re like, “I really don’t want to do this to you but … .” And I can’t even finish that sentence before the door is closed. And people get offended. I don’t want people to be offended and sad.

Fame is something that sort of came overnight. But it’s a good problem to have.

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[decaynow]

my mom: here is $125 to leave the house

me: *spends it all immediately on two new belts, a candle for a gift, pencils, and the infestissuman record i found at the shop* self care