Ghost w/ Amon Amarth| 7:30 PM, 08.11.23 | 14141 Riverport Dr, Maryland Heights, MO 63043 | All ages | $29.50-135+
This Friday, the unabashedly theatrical and perversely liturgical hard rock/heavy metal band Ghost brings their 2023 “Re-Imperatour” to the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Maryland Heights. Formed in Linköping, Sweden in 2006, the primary creative force of Ghost is vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Tobias Forge (AKA Papa Emeritus IV), who is supported by a rotating band of masked musicians credited as, literally, “a group of nameless ghouls.” Although the group’s music was originally a slick update of ‘80s heavy metal, with bands like Mercyful Fate/King Diamond being an obvious point of reference, their palette has expanded in recent years to include elements of glam, AOR, and psychedelic rock.
The group’s spectacular live performances, featuring pyrotechnics, elaborate props, and Forge donning his now-iconic papal vestments, propelled the band to massive popularity. The closest comparison to a Ghost show is the legendary Iron Maiden’s prop-filled extravaganzas—a comparison that Ghost clearly welcomes, given that they released a cover of Iron Maiden’s “Phantom of the Opera” as a single earlier this summer.
The spectacle of their live performances is supplemented by the band’s heavy social media presence, with their posts often prefaced as “A MESSAGE FROM THE CLERGY.” Despite (or maybe because of) their cheeky anti-religious themes, Ghost albums consistently manage to land at the top of the Billboard 200, an impressive feat in an era where pop, rap, and EDM typically rule the charts. Ghost is currently touring in support of their most recent album, Impera, released in March 2022.
Ghost was most recently in St. Louis in February 2022, when they played the Chaifetz Arena on their “Pre-Imperatour” with Danish hard rock outfit Volbeat. This Friday’s show will mark Ghost’s third appearance at the Amphitheatre overall—they have also played the Pageant multiple times, as well as Stifel Theatre, back when it was still known as the Peabody Opera House.
Joining Ghost on the current tour are fellow Swedes and equally expert showmen Amon Amarth. A melodic death metal band heavily influenced by Norse mythology, Amon Amarth consists of vocalist Johan Hegg, bassist Ted Lundström, guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, and drummer Jocke Wallgren. Originally formed in 1988 under the name Scum, the band has extensive roots in the celebrated Swedish melodic death metal scene. In addition to the band’s encyclopedic references to Viking lore and Hegg’s distinctive voice, they are known for the frequently beautiful twin guitar melodies of Mikkonen and Söderberg.
Amon Amarth is currently touring in support of their most recent album, 2022’s The Great Heathen Army, their twelfth studio album overall. As with Ghost, Amon Amarth shows offer an incredibly entertaining spectacle, featuring actors sword-fighting in Viking attire, giant inflatable serpents, and of course, Johan Hegg wielding the hammer of Thor.
Amon Amarth was last in St. Louis in May 2016, when they played the Pageant with Entombed A.D. and Exmortus. In addition to another show at the Pageant in 2014, they have also played Pop’s on three occasions.
Thinking about going but haven’t picked up your tickets yet? You’ll want to make up your mind soon—much of the stadium seating is already sold out, although there are still some resale tickets available, as well as basic lawn seats going for $29.50. All tickets (including resale tickets) can be purchased through LiveNation’s website.| David Von Nordheim
Ghost’s “RE-IMPERATOUR” USA 2023:
Mon Aug 07 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
Tue Aug 08 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Fri Aug 11 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Sat Aug 12 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Mon, Aug 14– Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Tue Aug 15 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Wed Aug 16 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
Fri Aug 18 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
Sat Aug 19 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Sun Aug 20 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
Tue Aug 22 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
Wed Aug 23 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
Thu, Aug 24 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
Fri Aug 25 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Sun Aug 27 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
Tue Aug 29 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
Wed, Aug 30 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
Thu Aug 31 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sat Sep 02 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Sun Sep 03 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Tue Sep 05 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Thu Sep 07 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
Fri Sep 08 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
Mon Sep 11 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum ^
^ Amon Amarth Not on This Date
