GHOST Introduces PAPA EMERITUS IV At Last Show (Video)

Papa Emeritus IV

At the final concert of GHOST‘s Prequelle album cycle last night in Mexico City, the band introduced the new character who will front the act for its next album phase: Papa Emeritus IV.

During the saxophone solo in the song “Miasma,” Papa Nihil — an ancestor to all other Papas — collapsed and a large group sisters came out around Cardinal Copia and transformed him into the new Papa.

You can see photos and video footage below.

GHOST took to social media to official welcome new Papa with the following message: “Gracias México 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.”

In a recent interview with Kerrang! magazine, GHOST leader Tobias Forge revealed the plans for follow-up to 2018’s Prequelle album.

“I look at many fifth albums as a guide as to the urgency for what that record will need to be, with [IRON MAIDEN‘s] ‘Powerslave’ being a great example,” he said. “By the fifth album, you’re at a point in your career where you have this momentum built up, and you have the expectancy of people depending on you, so you have to put something special in those many spotlights. You need to step up and make a record that’s worth it and justifies all of these things.”

When asked if the new character will be fronting the band during next album’s circle, Tobias responded: “I just know that person will have the name Papa Emeritus IV. It will be the fourth Papa Emeritus. But who that is, we don’t know yet.”