Ghost have introduced their new leader during the final show of their Prequelle tour. During their show in Mexico City’s Palacio de los Deportes, the Swedish metal band introduced new vocalist Papa Emeritus IV, who will take the place of Cardinal Copia. For each album cycle, Ghost frontman Tobias Forge inhabits a different character. For 2010’s Opus Eponymous, 2013’s Infestissumam and 2015’s Prequelle, Forge played Papa Emeritus, Papa Emeritus II and Papa Emeritus III, respectively, which were all incarnations of a “demonic anti-pope.” For 2018’s Prequelle, he changed things up and introduced Cardinal Copia.
Following the performance, Ghost announced in an Instagram post their new leader, and confirmed that Papa Emeritus IV and the seven Nameless Ghouls will be taking some time off: “Gracias M?xico City for your hospitality and warmth. We couldn’t pick a better place to witness the anointment of Cardinal Copia to Papa Emeritus IV. Papa and the ghouls are incredibly thankful for all your wonderful gifts. Looking forward to seeing all of you in 2021.”
The Mexico City show was the final date scheduled on Ghost’s tour in support of Prequelle. They’ve been on and off the road since mid-2018, opening for Guns N’ Roses for a one-off date in Oslo, Norway, and joining Metallica on their WorldWired Tour in the summer of 2019. They closed out 2019 with a headlining tour of Europe and announced that the Mexico City date would be their only show of 2020, as well as the final performance in support of Prequelle. Forge has previously said that he plans to release a new Ghost album in 2021.
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