Mike Singer

The Swedish rock band Ghost invaded the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Sunday, Aug. 20.

The near sell-out was a total home run in an amphitheater that was once a former baseball park (it was about time I made a baseball pun regarding the venue).

From the moment the doors opened, around 6:00 p.m., to the final note played, a little past 11:00 p.m., the crowd was on their feet, singing every song and screaming for Ghost for the entire night.

As the doors were opening, fans showed up wearing nun and priest outfits, makeup to resemble the band, and face paint that would put a smile on any old fashion Kiss fan.

Around 7:30 p.m., the first band, Amon Amarth, from Tumba, Sweden graced the stage and said hello to the Connecticut crowd.

Sporting a long beard that would make any member of ZZ Top proud, lead singer, Johan Hegg, kicked the band off into their first song of the night which was, “Raven’s Flight.”

Amon Amarth’s stage, which had two inflatable Vikings that were supposed to look like stone, and a giant “wooden” Vikings helmet as the drum riser was only part of the visual aspect of the heavy metal bands tool belt.

During one song, Hegg “fought” an inflatable sea serpent with a fake axe. Throughout another song, the rest of the band, which consists of lead guitarist Olavi Mikkonen, bassist Ted Lundström, rhythm guitarist Johan Söderberg, and drummer Jocke Wallgren had to perform around “real-life” Vikings having a sword battle.

During another song, Hegg commanded that the audience sit down and “row” like they were rowing a fake ship. At first, people were hesitant but after a few seconds, the entire audience was rowing!

I was really impressed with Amon Amarth’s set. They were very much a heavy metal band, had a great visual show to go along with the music and they were extremely polite. After every song, Hegg would thank the audience for allowing them to play and for making them feel at home.

As I was once taught when I was younger, a thank you can go a long, long way.

Amon Amarth’s heavy set went like this:

1. Raven’s Flight
2. Shield Wall
3. Heidrun
4. Deceiver of the Gods
5. Put Your Back Into the Oar
6. The Way of Vikings
7. Guardians of Asgaard
8. Raise Your Horns
9. Twilight of the Thunder God

Following Amon Amarth’s set, as soon as the clock struck 9:00 p.m., a curtain was raised, three Nameless Ghouls’ silhouettes were viewable behind the curtain and Ghost blasted into their first song of the evening.

With his war paint on his face, lead singer, Tobias Forge/Papa Emeritus IV was met with the screams of his adoring fans in the General Admission pit that were reaching out to him or by the rest of the amphitheater that was cheering… wait, screaming actually.

I’ve come to learn that Ghost concerts are actually not called concerts at all. In fact, fans of the band call them rituals instead.

Being that this show was my first Ghost ritual, I have come to notice that these fans are unlike other fans of other bands. Ghost fans are extremely loyal and they come out to shows in droves.

While at shows, every time the first note of a song is played, the crowd goes absolutely nuts. The crowd is screaming so much you would have thought Taylor Swift or Drake appeared on stage.

The theatrics of the band does not stop at their face paint and helmets.

Throughout the show, Forge would come out on stage and sing in different robes that would replicate something The Pope or another religious figure would wear.

It was so cool to see all these different costumes and every time Forge went backstage, I was eagerly waiting to see what costume he would wear next.

In all 19 songs that the band played, there was one common quality. The band gave 110% of their effort on each and every song.

Whether it was Forge running around the stage and blowing kisses to the fans in the front row, or the three Nameless Ghouls on bass, lead guitar, and rhythm guitar all rushing toward the front, the entire band left all they had to give on the stage and I could not respect them enough for that.

Outside of the one song, “Mary on a Cross,” which blew up on TikTok, I really didn’t know by heart any of the band’s songs. The minute that I got back in my car, I listened to Ghost for the one-hour drive back to my house. Simply put, the band has some really great music and I am so glad that I was able to witness this band live.

I would not be surprised if soon, the band upgrades and starts to play bigger arenas since they have all the tools needed to be massive stars.

The jaw-dropping Ghost set played out like this:

1. Kaisarion
2. Rats
3. From the Pinnacle to the Pit
4. Spillways
5. Cirice
6. Absolution
7. Ritual
8. Call Me Little Sunshine
9. Con Clavi Con Dio
10. Watcher in the Sky
11. Year Zero
12. He Is
13. Miasma
14. Mary on a Cross
15. Mummy Dust
16. Respite on the Spitalfields
17. Kiss the Go-Goat
18. Dance Macabre
19. Square Hammer

I know that in a handful of my reviews that I saw go see this band but this time I really mean it. Anyone I’ve talked to on my drive home who has never seen Ghost before, the first thing I say is “You HAVE to see them live, they were amazing.”

My mind was absolutely blown away by the spectacle of the show and how together the band was. Whether it was the music or the imagery of the band, they truly have gained a fan for life.

Do me a favor and most importantly, do yourself a favor, go see them live. It genuinely is an experience like no other.