“Impera”, the latest release from Ghost, out last March, played here in Southern California with Volbeat the week before the release. Now they’re hitting the United States and kicking off the “Imperatour” at San Diego’s Pechanga Arena, August 26, 2022.
Also on the bill are Spiritbox from Canada, making a lot of buzz on radio and Sirius Radio Octane since 2021 with their debut album “Eternal Blue”. As well as Mastodon, greats that have been around for 20 plus years, promoting their album, “Hushed and Grim” released last October. Great sounding bands to have on the lineup.
As I approached the venue there were lines of people waiting to get in and you could see the influence Ghost has on their fans. Some dressed as Ghosts’ singer Papa Emeritus himself and some women dressed as nuns. I’ve known about Ghost for over 10 years and the popularity of their shows have grown from small venues to huge areas such as Pechanga Arena. I still remember seeing Ghost for the first time at Coachella in 2013 in the blistering heat and I think there were a handful of people that knew their music.
Now Ghost is playing a full venue, with 5 full albums under their belt, a full stage production, and a band who cover their faces with masks called, The Nameless Ghouls. A castle like stage with a stained-glass backdrop set the scene for another epic show. Opening with tracks from the new album beginning with “Imperium / Kaisarion”, they later debuted, “Watcher in the Sky” also off the latest album. Ghost never disappoints in the realm of entertainment, which included a couple of wardrobe changes and even an appearance of Papa Nihil (high ranked character) playing saxophone on “Miasma”.
Other songs that highlighted the evening were “Mary on a Cross” and “Mummy Dust” where it rained gold confetti during the finale.
Ghost is only playing 20 dates on this leg of the Imperatour. Look for dates. If they aren’t coming to your area. I’m sure they will soon.
Set list Pechanga Arena
Imperium Intro / Kaisarion
Rats
Faith
Spillways
Devil Church
Cirice
Hunters Moon
Ritual
Call Me Little Sunshine
Con Clavi, Con Dio
Prime Mover
Watcher in the Sky (live debut)
Year Zero
He Is
Miasma
Mary on A Cross
Mummy Dust
Dance Macabre
Square Hammer