Ghost @ The Sony Centre (Toronto, ON) on December 8, 2018 [Photos & Show Review]

Swedish rocker and frontman Tobias Forge and his entourage of assorted nameless ghouls from Ghost, thrilled fans at the sold-out Sony Centre on Saturday, December 8th during the Toronto stop of the North American leg of “A Pale Tour Named Death.¨ The tour is in celebration of the band’s latest release, Prequelle.

As soon as the house lights dimmed and those first chords burst out of the amplifiers, every one of the roughly 3,000 fans in attendance jumped to their feet. No one took their seats again anytime soon.

The Ghoulish band members took the stage first and what I couldn’t help but think was that it’s amazing how they’re able to see what they’re doing with those masks on. A few moments later, the man known as Cardinal Copia appeared on stage amid clouds of smoke. Wearing what looked like a vintage black suit, his face was painted white except around the eyes, which were painted black. The Cardinal also has one brown and one blue eye. The group put on a really theatrical performance, with wardrobe changes, lots of smoke and several awesome instrumental solos. It’s astonishing how concerts have evolved over the last 20 to 30 years. The band played two full hour-long sets on their own, without any opening act.

There are some really hardcore Ghost fans in Toronto. That was very evident by the number of people with painted faces who were dressed for the ghoulish occasion, and also by the number of people lined up to buy Ghost swag at their merchandise booth. It was a great night of Scandinavian metal at yet another of the Toronto’s great concert venues.

Check out the video for “Rats” off of Prequelle.

Ghost’s Setlist:

Act 1:
01. Ashes
02. Rats
03. Absolution
04. Idolatrine
05. Ritual
06. Con Clavi Con Dio
07. Per Aspera Ad Inferi
08. Devil Church
09. Cirice
10. Miasma
11. Jigolo Har Megiddo
12. Pro Memoria
13. Witch Image
14. Life Eternal
Act 2:
15. Spirit
16. From The Pinnacle To The Pit
17. Majesty
18. Satan Prayer
19. Faith
20. Year Zero
21. He Is
22. Mummy Dust
23. If You Have Ghosts
24. Dance Macabre
25. Square Hammer