The Papa: Ghost/Purson Concert Review

The night after we saw Scorpions and Queensryche, my best friend Jamie and I went to see another concert in Columbus, OH.

This time, we saw the band Ghost.

Purson, who I had not heard of, opened the show.

They were pretty good.

Definitely have to check out their music.

Afterwards, Ghost took the stage.

They are a band on the rise (edit:  In 2023, they are a very big band.), about to release their 3rd album, which they played a lot of on this night.

I honestly do not know who anyone is in the band (the musicians go by Nameless Ghouls), but the singer is known as Papa Emeritus (edit:  He was later revealed to be Tobias Forge).

Each album/tour he goes by a different Papa (Emeritus II, III, etc.).

I first became aware of them from James Hetfield of Metallica, who mentioned them in an interview.

They are very different.

Live, they’re quite heavy and loud, almost marching band I would say in tightness.

They get compared to Blue Oyster Cult a lot, which I don’t really hear that, but OK maybe I’m wrong.

Their show is very satanic/gothic I guess, although it’s just for show.

I think they’re very good, but maybe not for everyone.

Check them out though.

You may be surprised.

Either way, Jamie and I had fun.