Live Review: Ghost - Re-Imperatour U.S.A. With Amon Amarth

8/16/2023

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island Chicago
8/15/23

With Ghost, currently in the mix with their summer "Re- Imperatour U.S.A.- I knew something was up when I arrived a bit early-
Apparently I wasn't the only one.
They came in droves, earlier than me.
That line, not even for the G.A. pit- we're talking reserved seating- by my estimation- easily a half mile long, and this even on a Tuesday evening in Chicago.
Talk about a solid fanbase!

And everything about their show is still a spectacle.
A small bit has changed since their last run through the states, back in February of 2022, with a stop at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

The one thing that I found more appealing this time around was the runway jutting out through the main floor.
The height was a bit of a nuisance back in February- like six feet or so.
And the length of the runway looked like to be cut in half, which also made things more appealing photography wise, with the hopes of getting the bulk of the nameless ghouls in the frame, along with the gorgeous stained glass windows backdrop, and of course the one and only Tobias Forge, aka "Papa Emeritus", amongst many other titles and incarnations.

All of this helps in my opinion, especially with more active main floor crowd involvement- like the closer to the audience, the better.
What a show I tell ya.
The three heavy hitter/ life is a party mainstays, after the volley of "Klara stjarnor"- a delicate Jan Johansson instrumental, followed by "Miserere mei, Deus"- a choral Gregorio Allegri song, and then the instrumental from Ghost- "Imperium", which has the stage shrouded in a gigantic white curtain-
Then comes the trifecta of ripping good tunes- "Kaisarion", into "Rats", into "From the Pinnacle to the Pit".

So okay, the same openers from back in 2022.
But who cares?
These songs are strong, hell bent.

Meant for worshipping and camaraderie followed by communal party, all presented right off the bat with three nameless ghouls parked at the lip of the runway stage center- letting it rip with guitar, bass, and more guitar.
Followed by Papa blending in and then holding court, all confident, all mindful of empowerment and might.
And the screams and shouts from the lip of the barricade- virtually every vantage point- for those three banger / crushing songs, it didn't let up one bit, like it was a Friday or Saturday night, not a Tuesday night.

Add lots and lots of theatricality, and you have one very memorable show.
Some twenty or so songs total, with nary a letup.
And maybe that's why this go around with Ghost is what's needed and hearty- that they've worked out the kinks a bit, took a deep breath, made some conscientious changes, and then decided to give it a go- pedal to the metal.
That the night was absolutely perfect along the lakefront just added more charm and mystique to the spectacle, and the gorgeous saturation of colors and schematic no matter what the vantage point when looking at the stage.
Even when writing this from memory, I feel caffeinated and full of energy, like the show ended just minutes ago, and not well over 14 hours.
It doesn't matter, especially with Papa and the nameless ghouls, and the varied costume changes of notable notoriety, specifically Papa's various versions thereof of delighted intent.

Yes, there's a lot to take in with the hierarchy of all things "Papa", as is well and good to immerse in the minute details, if you're into that sorta thing.
I'm sure Tobias relishes the deep dive amongst his gigantic fanbase as well.
The songs have heft, even from the early days to present.
The lyrics and overall mood represent that as well.
Everything in relation to Ghost, and overall presentation, is just so well thought out.
I mean think about it: right now we're on the incarnation of "Papa Emeritus IV" with all the luster and mystery, equal to the first.
Why wouldn't you want to eat that up, knowing full well that there's going to be a rather complicated storyline, with a plethora of clues, followed by mystery.
Makes you relish what else Papa has up his sleeve, going forward into the unknown of otherworldly.
Hard to not get lost in all of this while attempting to write a decent review, and doing your best to keep it simple.

No matter- equal to the live performance, is the actual cast of characters and evolvement as well.
And to have the second leg in the states with the mighty Amon Amarth just adds more onslaught punishment to the mix as well, what with a gigantic set, with 15 foot pillars of Vikings guarding the flanks of stage left and stage right, a drum kit on a riser of massive viking horns, and ending with a gigantic mythical dragon stage left, during the song "Twilight of the Thunder God', with lead vocalist Johan Hegg beating it down with a massive viking hammer.

All the stuff of mystical fantasy, followed by wicked and punishing melodic death metal.
Cool that they let us photographers photograph their set after the first three from the pit- if anything getting a chance to document "Put Your Back Into the Oar", where, by command of Johan Hegg, you sit down on the main floor of the pit, and make like your rowing a massive viking ship to uncharted territory, or better yet, showing the power at sea, to intimidate, to take command thereof.

What a sight to see that, virtually the entire main floor pit in on the viking rowing action.
So we have two bands, both equal to the task to put on a show, not relegated to blasé this, blasé that.
No no no- this is first rate big things spectacle, first rate slam dunk.

Some eighteen or so dates remain in the states, heading a bit south, and of course west, ending in Englewood California, on September 12th.
Go see?
What do you think?
Don't be nutty.
Just go.

Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

Ghost, Tobias Forge, Nameless Ghouls, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine, Amon Amarth

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Live Review: Ghost - Re-Imperatour U.S.A. With Amon Amarth

Ghost, Tobias Forge, Nameless Ghouls, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine, Amon Amarth

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