Ghost continue to climb UK singles chart with 2019 song 'Mary on a Cross'
It shows no signs of slowing down
Ghost have climbed the UK singles chart once again with their 2019 song ‘Mary on a Cross.’
Earlier this month, Ghost scored their first ever Top 40 single in the UK when ‘Mary on a Cross’ entered the charts at Number 33 after going viral on TikTok.
Showing no signs of slowing down, ‘Mary on a Cross’ has climbed a further five places to Number 28 this week, according to the Official Charts Company.
‘Mary on a Cross’ originally appeared on Ghost’s two-track vinyl and digital release ‘Seven Inches of Satanic Panic’, however it’s enjoying a resurgence in popularity after a TikTok user called @editingtherapy used a slowed down version of the song to soundtrack a short video about Stranger Things.
Since then, the Mary on the Cross hashtag has amassed over 1 billion TikTok views and the song is being used to soundtrack tens of thousands of videos on the platform.
‘Mary on a Cross’ is a firm favourite amongst Ghost fans and the track is regularly performed live by Tobias Forge and co., including their UK arena shows in Birmingham, Glasgow and London back in April.
Ghost’s most recent studio album ‘Impera’ debuted at Number 2 in the UK back in March, and it became their second Top 10 record after ‘Prequelle.’
Ghost are currently in the midst of the US leg of their Imperatour with support coming from Mastodon. The trek continues at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine tonight.
The definitive guide to all of Ghost’s characters:
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus I
Tobias Forge's Papa Emeritus, later known as Papa Emeritus I, was the Ghost frontman from 2008 to 2012 during the cycle for the band's debut album 'Opus Eponymous.' Pictured is Papa Emeritus backstage at Download Festival 2011. This is the first of two Papa Emeritus looks and features a red and black chasuble with upside-down crosses and a mitre with the black crucifix.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus I
Papa Emeritus I – aka Tobias Forge – in his imperious live glory at Download Festival 2011. Ghost performed on the third stage (then known as the Pepsi Max Stage) on the Saturday.
A Ghost Nameless Ghoul
A blank-faced Nameless Ghoul dressed in black robes in 2011 during Ghost's European tour.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus I
Towards the end of the 'Opus Eponymous' touring cycle in 2012, Papa Emeritus was tweaked significantly. Tobias Forge now wore white robes and mitre featuring an upside-down gold crucifix.
A Ghost Nameless Ghoul
In keeping with their leader's image change, the Nameless Ghouls also wore all-white costumes with new Bauta masks.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus I and his Nameless Ghouls
Ghost leader Papa Emeritus I and his Nameless Ghouls band mates flaunt their new all-white guise in 2012.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus II
In late 2012, Ghost welcomed their second frontman Papa Emeritus II. Featuring more realistic skull face paint than his predecessor, Tobias Forge's second Papa wore black and green robes on stage with a silver and white mitre.
A Ghost Nameless Ghoul
In keeping with the all-new Papa Emeritus II, the Nameless Ghouls also wore all black with Bauta masks.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus II
A close-up at Papa Emeritus II's proper horrorshow face at Lollapalooza 2013.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus II
Papa Emeritus II at Rock in Rio Festival, September 2013.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus II ‘unmasked’
The identity of Papa Emeritus II himself Tobias Forge was still shrouded in mystery in 2014. However, for a 'Papaganda' interview with Vice magazine that year, Forge hilariously 'unmasked' himself as a bald Telly Savalas-like businessman with shades and a moustache. For some unbeknownst reason he also spoke in Italian. Comedy gold.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus III
Coinciding with Ghost's third studio album 'Meliora', in 2015 Tobias Forge unveiled his third Papa to the world - Papa Emeritus III.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus III
Tobias Forge tweaked his make-up for Ghost's Papa Emeritus III. His papal gown was pure black with a white mitre featuring a gold inverted cross.
A Ghost Nameless Ghoul
Ghost's Nameless Ghouls wore chilling silver devil masks for the 'Meliora' era.
A Ghost Nameless Ghoul
A close-up of one of Ghost's Nameless Ghouls in 2015.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus III
In early 2016, Tobias Forge introduced a second more stripped back version of Papa Emeritus III. Appearing at certain events and performances, the look featured a different outfit, white gloves and no mitre. Only the trademark make-up remained the same.
Ghost’s Papa Nihil
On 30th September 2017, Ghost leader Papa Emeritus III was killed off on stage at Gothenburg venue Liseberg and his apparent elderly replacement Papa Zero (later known as Papa Nihil) shuffled on stage with a walking stick and breathing equipment. Ultimately, however, Papa Nihil wasn't the band's new frontman - he was actually the band's anointer (and a killer saxophonist to boot). However, in 2019, a young version of Papa Nihil appeared as Ghost's frontman in the 'Kiss the Go-Goat' music video, which was set in the 1960s.
Ghost’s Sister Imperator
Sister Imperator is the head of the satanic clergy of Ghost and is the former lover of Papa Nihil. She was first introduced in the Meliora cycle and the 'older' version of Sister Imperator has been played by two actresses.
Ghost’s Cardinal Copia
In April 2018, Papa Nihil anointed Cardinal Copia as Ghost's new frontman to mark the 'Prequelle' era of the band. Unlike his three predecessors, Cardinal Copia wasn't part of the Papa Emeritus lineage.
Ghost’s Cardinal Copia
Wearing a latex mask, a variety of sharp suits and gloves, Tobias Forge was a lot more agile on stage as Cardinal Copia.
Ghost’s Cardinal Copia and his Nameless Ghouls
A publicity shot of Ghost leader Cardinal Copia and his Nameless Ghouls in 2018.
Ghost’s Tobias Forge unmasked
A rare photo of an Tobias Forge without his mask at the 2019 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
A Ghost Nameless Ghoul
A Nameless Ghoul in a black devil mask on stage in 2019.
Ghost’s Sister Imperator
A young version of Sister Imperator in Ghost's retro 'Kiss the Go-Goat' music video in 2019. She's played by actress Liz Fenning.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus IV
On March 3rd 2020, at the last show of the Pale Tour Named Death, Cardinal Copia was anointed as Papa Emeritus IV. Note the subtle change to his face makeup. Pictured is Papa Emeritus IV in a publicity shot for Ghost's 'Impera' album in 2022.
Ghost's Nameless Ghouls
The 2022 incarnation of the Nameless Ghouls sees them don Star Wars-esque steampunk helmets and military uniforms.
Ghost’s Papa Emeritus IV
Tobias Forge's 'stripped back' version of Papa Emeritus IV on stage in North America in February 2022.
Ghost guitarist Chris Catalyst
Following the final arena date of Ghost's European Imperatour in Hungary on 18th May, English guitarist Chris Catalyst shared a group photo backstage of the entire Ghost crew including himself standing next to Tobias Forge. Outing himself as a Nameless Ghoul, he wrote: "Amaaaazing tour with our wonderful Ghost family," Catalyst wrote. "I suppose that's that particular cat out of the bag. So great to be doing this again. Playing this fantastic music with these brilliant people makes me run out of superlatives. X"
Ghost guitarist Chris Catalyst
Ghost guitarist Chris Catalyst masked.