An Evening with Ghost and Volbeat
February 21, Saint Louis—Presidents Day
I walked approximately two miles from my apartment just after dusk to get to the rock show. I trekked alongside the construction site of the upcoming downtown soccer stadium, then walked through a vacant St. Louis University. I turned left on Compton Ave and suddenly I was at the arena and eager for some rock and roll music.
Rock bands Ghost and Volbeat played at Chaifetz arena in downtown St. Louis.
Volbeat is a Danish band that draws influence from a variety of genres—rock, metal, rockabilly, and the blues—and has a strong knack for hooks and catchy choruses.
I was glad to hear them play some of my personal favorites, including new songs “Temple of Ekur” and “The Devil Rages On.”
The show also brought additional depth to hit song “Die to Live.” As lead singer Michael Poulsen stated, “Sometimes ya gotta die a little to live a little” as the band launched full speed into the track.
Frontman Michael Poulsen has an absolutely booming rockabilly-inspired voice that hits each note with pitch-perfect precision. I’ve also been a long-time fan of lead guitarist Rob Caggiano, who has served as producer for several Volbeat albums and was known before joining the band as a once-lead guitarist of legendary thrash band Anthrax. He’s a true virtuoso and the type that makes the most blistering solos look effortless.
There was a fun guest appearance by ZZ Bottom, who brought some zest with saxophone and piano to a few tunes.
I could have listened to Volbeat all night, but headliner Ghost is one of my favorite bands (latest album Prequelle is one of my most-played of the last two years).
Swedish rock band Ghost is arguably a solo project helmed by frontman Tobias Forge, who records much of the instruments for the studio albums and is the primary songwriter. For live shows he is assisted by the “Nameless Ghouls” on instrumentals, who for this show wore sinister looking gas masks and black uniforms.
The elaborate stage setup featured a giant fake stained glass painting of “Papa Emeritus IV,” the character that Forge portrays on stage. Emeritus is a diabolical satanic pope all too eager to spread the will of his dark lord (he repeatedly asks the audience to fornicate after the show).
In spite of the sinister theatrics (this includes flames geystering up, as well as the nameless ghouls routinely bickering with one another and competing with Emeritus for stage attention), the beauty of Ghost is that it is a legitimate rock band, more in line with Blue Oyster Cult than screamo death metal. The songs are melodic and Forge sings rather than screams. The hooks sink into the mind and linger there long after hearing them.
A shower of glitter rained down during “Mummy Dust.” Forge went through a diverse and fun wardrobe selection (everything from a pope costume to a glittery jacket). The band launched a moving cover of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” (the ghouls can really play), and the crowd headbanged to the crunching metal song “Faith.”
What an excellent way to spend Presidents Day!
