Welcome Papa Emeritus Zero? Swedish rockers Ghost unveil new Papa
By Aaron Posey
Everyone’s favorite Swedish occult rockers Ghost unveiled a new menacing figure last night. Needless to say this spectacle has caused a huge stir among the bands fan base. Who was this demonic and decrepit figure who called himself Papa Emeritus Zero? What did his appearance signify?
To understand the significance of the unveiling of Papa Emeritus Zero, for the uninitiated we must go back to the bands inception and the lore of Ghost. Led by Papa Emeritus and supported by a band known simply as The Nameless Ghouls, these foreboding figures haunt your eyes and ears.
In 2010 their debut album dropped and Ghost took on the world. With songs that heavily reference Satan, the occult and all things evil they toured the world spreading their unholy gospel to anyone who would listen.
Here’s a visual reference for anyone unaware.
Papa Emeritus 1 and The Nameless Ghouls
During the first album and tours Papa Emeritus 1 fronted the band. Papa Emeritus 1 resembled a satanic Pope. His face almost featureless and adorned with crude black and white makeup. His demeanor callous as he performed to the masses his gospel of Hell.
When Ghost released their second album Papa Emeritus 1 was replaced by Papa Emeritus 2. At a show in Sweden Papa Emeritus 1 passed the torch to his replacement, Papa Emeritus 2. Now for those who do not know, the singer is the same but in keeping with the fun theatrics of the band, the singer gets a new costume and new look. A changing of the Pope if you will.
Papa Emeritus 2 and The Nameless Ghouls
Papa Emeritus 3 and The Nameless Ghouls who also got a makeover upon Papa 3’s emergence
In the interest of saving time and space, before Ghost releases a new album a new incarnation of Papa Emeritus is born at their last show of the current tour in Sweden. They have had 3 different Papa Emeritus and they have had 3 albums to date. During the show last night, Papa Emeritus 3 was unceremoniously removed from the stage, fans waited with anticipation for the unveiling of Papa Emeritus 4. But that’s not what they got.
Being helped to the stage by two men dressed in black, a figure clad in all white but in the same demonic Catholic Bishop outfit was an older figure. Using oxygen and a cane he introduced himself in Italian to the crowd telling them his name was Papa Emeritus Zero. He then announced “The party is over, the Middle Ages begin now.”
Papa Emeritus Zero
After his announcement he walked offstage. According to Ghost they have a new album slated for release in 2018 and it will be a darker album and chronicle the fall of civilization. Since fans did not get the reveal of Papa Emeritus 4 and instead got Papa Emeritus Zero the fan base has been a buzz with theories.
Papa Emeritus Zero
I. for one love this new twist on one of my favorite bands. I have followed them since their first album came and had to buy it on Amazon because I could not find any stores that carried it around me, as they were genuinely unknown at the time.
If you are a fan or follow rock/metal music you are probably aware of the behind the scenes drama currently going on. I refuse to let it spoil the wonder and the theatrics that the band accomplishes.
Posted by Ghost on Saturday, September 30, 2017
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When you listen to Ghost or go to one of their concerts, known as Rituals, you can forget your troubles for a short time and be transported to a magical wonderland of all things evil. Ghost is showman through and through. So in closing all I will say is we welcome Papa Emeritus Zero. Below is the video of Papa Emeritus Zero making his glorious entrance.