Ghost
Sweden, 2006–now
Swedish band led by Tobias Forge (as the masked 'Papa Emeritus' figures), formed in 2006. Fusing Blue Oyster Cult melody and ABBA-slick pop with occult theatrics and heavy riffs, Meliora and Prequelle ('Square Hammer', 'Rats') made them arena-metal stars.
MusicRoots documents 5 artists who influenced Ghost and 0 artists Ghost influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced Ghost?
- Black Sabbath — Black Sabbath's occult heavy-metal riffing is the doom foundation of Ghost's satanic hard rock.
- Metallica — Metallica's metal heft is part of Ghost's hard-rock power beneath the melodic hooks.
- ABBA — ABBA's glossy Swedish pop melodicism is the pop half of Ghost's 'satanic ABBA' songcraft.
- Blue Öyster Cult — Blue Öyster Cult's melodic, occult-tinged hard rock is a clear model for Ghost's blend of catchy songcraft and dark, satanic imagery.
- Mercyful Fate — Mercyful Fate's theatrical satanic imagery and melodic metal — fellow countrymen King Diamond's band — are a core influence on Ghost's occult stagecraft and songwriting.