Tobias Forge, the leader of the Swedish rock band Ghost, recently shared how a label executive helped shape the band’s identity. When Ghost signed with Loma Vista Recordings in 2012, Tom Whalley emphasized the need for a compelling backstory. Forge recalled, “One of the first things he said was, ‘I love your band, but what is the story?’ He insisted that every successful act has a narrative.” Forge explained that this posed a challenge since the band was anonymous and had no history. “I told him, ‘We don’t have a story. Give us 10 years, and maybe we’ll have something to share.’ But he was determined to create a story, and that’s how it all began.”
Before joining Loma Vista, Ghost worked with Rise Above, a small label in London. However, that partnership ended due to disagreements over management and tour plans. The band recently wrapped up the U.S. leg of their Skeletour in August 2025, after touring Europe earlier in the year. The tour featured an impressive “Grucifix” lighting rig and stage design inspired by brutalist cathedrals. Video director Amir Chamdin also created the first full-scale video for a Ghost tour.
Looking ahead, the North American leg of the tour kicks off on January 21, 2026, at the Kia Center in Orlando, running through February 23 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Throughout their career, Forge has portrayed various characters, including Papa Emeritus III and Cardinal Copia. The latest character, Papa V Perpetua, debuted in a recent video and will lead the upcoming tour.
Ghost’s latest album, Skeletá, hit No. 1 on the charts in May, selling 86,000 units. This marked the first hard rock album to reach that position since AC/DC’s Power Up in 2020.
