Review by Phil Rozier for MPM
If you’re casually asked, ‘what did you get up to on Monday night then?’ I bet you couldn’t say ‘Well, I got dressed up as a Satanical Nun, popped in old London Town and hung out with 300 other misfits, who were dressed equally as unconventional. Skull ladened Cardinals being a popular choice for the evening’.
No? You were not then one of the lucky few, from across only 5 countries, who had the utter privilege of Seeing Ghost’s unbelievably accomplished ‘2 Big 2 Rig’ concert film. Ahead of its 50-country release on August 26th, last night saw London’s Leicester Square burdened by Skeletal Nuns, Evil Cardinals and unnamed Ghouls. It was a pure slice of Heaven, or Hell, depending on your preference.
As the crowds grew, Vannessa Warrick continued her Ghost TV (GTV) interviews, as she has done since the last Ghost Skeletour took to the global stages in 2024/2025. As mitre wearing fans, draped in religious robes queued to be interviewed, it reminded me of just what a journey Ghost have been on. From origins in the anonymous, hailing from Sweden, the band led by (and what a leader he is), Tobias Forge, are now one of the largest household names in stadium rock. Often described as Black Sabbath mixed with ABBA, this now 9-member strong band, puts on a show like nothing on else on earth.
Sequined jackets, evil skulls, dressed in black. Even the backdrop of Jesus’s stained-glass windows cannot avoid this devilishly joyous presence. Unlike the more ‘sitting on the edge’ devil inspired music I’ve recently been reviewing (still recovering from Behemoth’s latest release), Ghost is pure ‘Devil Pop Rock’. I’ve just made that up, as I’m not sure there is a genre that describes their performance over the past 20 years to global super stardom. With a pop beat like ABBA, the evil riffs of Sabbath, the constant religious agitation, and songs that reference the devil tickling your insides, this can not be described a ‘quiet Monday night in town’.
‘2 Big 2 Rig’ is a near 2-hour concert film, with small welcome interruptions of snippets and interviews with key people in the 106 strong (I think) road crew it now takes get Ghost on the road. With another 150 or so local employed disciples in each venue, the 62-tonne rig, really is, too big. Filmed over 2 nights in Mexico, this full concert footage shot in 16mm film is deserving of the 87-foot-wide mammoth cinema screen upon which to experience it.
I’d not seen a film in this cinema before, let alone a full-blown concert recording. I’ve got to say, I’m not sure what’s louder. After seeing Ghost on the Skeletour at the O2, that was pretty raucous. But, in a smaller venue, with huge surround speakers, it was like being back in the mosh pit. The voices, the clarity, the organ vibrating sonic waves that shocked the system on every riff, snare, and key that was struck. It really was quite something. I was blessed with a seat front and centre. Equidistant from all four corners of the screen, and positioned roughly halfway the huge wall or imagery, it was like my ears were the ones the film was being played for. As soon as the crowd started cheering before the band even got on stage, I shivered with goosebumps, as I remembered the same anxious joy and excitement of being one of the lucky fans to have witness such an event.
You’ll remember that this tour was one of the first tours in rock, where the band refused to allow fans to have any mobile phones. They had to be safely locked away in those little pouches. At the time, I was glad. I was there to rock out. But even so, it would have been nice to grab a snap or two as a memento. But now, you can have the best memento of all as far better videographers and photographers have done a simply incredible job of piecing together and splicing every aspect of the experience into one neat package.
The grain of the 16mm makes the visuals almost 3D in parts, as every classic Ghost song is projected from the stage over the visually emotional Mexican fans. Every song is an absolute belter, with ‘Rats’, ‘Spillways’, Dance Macabre’, ‘He Is’, ‘Mummy Dust’, the list goes on, all heading towards the literal grand finale of ‘Square Hammer’. The stage is constantly changing its feel with the ever moving red and purple hues, dark blues and greens. Ambient lighting is provided from the towering stained glass windows featuring Jesus and his nemesis, the evil overlord that is the Devil himself. With dry ice, confetti canons and the encore creating hell on earth itself, as molten lava erupts and boils over, mixing seamlessly with the onstage pyrotechnics.
Tobias Forge has always given the impression that Ghost was a project. Perhaps something that will not be seen on stage in another 20 years’ time. Or perhaps even next year if rumours are to be believed. Ghost had a mission. To form, storm, conquer, and then perhaps, leave under the whispery swirl from whence they came. Ghost isn’t a band. Is a storey. A theatre, a social media movement, a film, a set, a play, a cult. It’s a religion. A believe, a laugh. It’s entertainment at its utter best. Hugely clever, massively accomplished, and something the world may not get to see again, certainly not in its current form.
Don’t question it, just enjoy it. Just love the fact that these Ghouls and Ghouletes were creating such entertainment at the same time you were alive. As the film closed, with a beautiful still of the Papa himself sitting at his dressing room mirror,
Follow Ghost: Subscribe to Ghost’s YouTube: https://found.ee/Ghost_YTSubscribe
Instagram: / thebandghost
TikTok: / thebandghost
Twitter: https://x.com/thebandghost
Facebook: / thebandghost
