Watch unmasked Nameless Ghoul Chris Catalyst perform Emmerdale theme at Ghost gig
He paid homage to his Yorkshire heritage
Last updated 20th May 2022
It’s emerged that Chris Catalyst, Ghost’s recently unmasked Nameless Ghoul guitarist, dropped a strong hint at his Yorkshire heritage almost three years ago.
Following Ghost’s final European Imperatour arena date in Hungary on Wednesday (18th May 2022), Yorkshire born and bred guitarist Chris Catalyst shared a group photo backstage of the entire Ghost crew.
Officially revealing his identity, the photo depicted Catalyst standing next to Ghost leader Tobias Forge and throwing the peace sign. Per Eriksson, formerly of Swedish metal band Katatonia, was seemingly standing on the other side of Forge.
Chris Catalyst wrote alongside the photo: “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”
As pointed out by a Planet Rock listener who attended the show, at Ghost’s concert at Leeds First Direct Arena on The Ultimate Tour Named Death, Chris Catalyst paid homage to Yorkshire and his own roots.
During an extended duel with his fellow Nameless Ghoul guitarist (believed to be Per Eriksson) as Ghost played ‘Devil Church’, Catalyst launched into an impromptu jam of the theme song for long-running ITV soap Emmerdale, which is set in a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales.
You can watch the brilliant moment it happened below by skipping to around the 5-minute mark.
Watch unmasked Nameless Ghoul Chris Catalyst perform Emmerdale theme:
42-year-old Christ Catalyst was a member of legendary gothic rock band The Sisters of Mercy for 14 years, and he’s also performed with Ugly Kid Joe, Ginger Wildheart, The Wildhearts, Terrorvision, The Professionals, Mariachi El Bronx and The Scaramanga Six.
He also fronts his own band Eureka Machines and he recently released the solo albums ‘Life Is Often Brilliant’ (2017) and ‘Kaleidoscopes’ (2021).
A guide to ALL of Ghost's characters through the years:
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.