GHOST have given another teaser of their “new” frontman Papa V Perpetua with a billboard in Las Vegas – see the image below.
The Swedish occult metal band are led by Tobias Forge, who since the band began has inhabited a series of different characters, with a different incarnation fronting the group for every new touring cycle.
The most recent character was Papa Emeritus IV, who led the band through their album ‘Impera’ in 2022 and its accompanying ‘Imperatour’ tour that wound up in October 2023.
Last month, when Black Sabbath announced the full line-up for their final ever show in Villa Park, Birmingham on July 5, among the stacked list of supporting acts was the name ‘Papa V Perpetua’.
Shortly after that announcement, GHOST took to their official Facebook page to share a post that read: “[MESSAGE FROM THE CLERGY] We wish to inform you V is coming ………. To Birmingham on July 5th.”
Now, a billboard has popped up in Las Vegas with the band’s logo and phrase “V is coming…” beneath it. A YouTube livestream channel named ‘FumataCast’ that features rolling footage of the billboard has also been launched. Check them out below.
[MESSAGE FROM THE CLERGY]
We wish to inform you, What Happens in Vegas, Stays on the FumataCast! Let us live in the anticipation of what could be. https://t.co/xMpvOvS1n1 pic.twitter.com/sgGnwkWwXk— Papa Emeritus IV (@thebandGHOST) March 2, 2025
Speaking about the story of Ghost with NME, Alex Ross Perry – who directed the band’s film film RITE HERE RITE NOW – shared: “Ghost as a band is like a planet and the story is like the moon. The moon is not part of the planet, but it orbits the planet. The songs and the meanings are thematically connected to what Ghost are pursuing, but they’re not creating a rock opera about these family dynamics of mothers, sons and fathers. I think for fans, it’s like getting two meals instead of one.”
Frontman Tobias Forge added: “I think the family that we’re talking about, they’re just the manifestation of a very common occurrence within mankind’s struggle to live life. The idea of being fearful of death is very common.”
In other news, GHOST are set to embark on a 2025 world tour later this spring. Check out a full list of dates here and visit here to purchase tickets.
