Ghost is a Swedish rock band created and led by Tobias Forge, who writes the music and performs as a succession of masked 'anti-pope' characters — currently Papa V Perpetua — backed by anonymous musicians called Nameless Ghouls. Formed in Linköping in 2006, Ghost won the 2016 Grammy for Best Metal Performance and scored their first US No. 1 album with Skeletá in 2025.
Last refreshed August 21, 2026
| Stable fields | band.origin, personas.history, awards.grammy | Dynamic fields | personas.current |
|---|
Every frontman character is played by Tobias Forge.
| Character | Era / album | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Papa Emeritus I | Opus Eponymous | 2010–2012 |
| Papa Emeritus II | Infestissumam | 2012–2015 |
| Papa Emeritus III | Meliora | 2015–2017 |
| Cardinal Copia → Papa Emeritus IV | Prequelle and Impera (elevated to Papa in March 2020) | 2018–2023 |
| Papa V Perpetua | Skeletá | 2025–present |
Ghost is Tobias Forge's masked, theatrical rock project: one songwriter, a rotating cast of anti-pope frontman characters, and anonymous Nameless Ghouls behind him. Nearly two decades in, the theatrics now come with mainstream credentials — a Grammy, a US No. 1 album, and arena-headliner status.
Who is the lead singer of Ghost?
Tobias Forge. He performs in character — currently as Papa V Perpetua — and has played every frontman persona since 2010.
Why do Ghost wear masks?
Anonymity and theater are core to the band's concept: the frontman is a fictional anti-pope character and the musicians perform as Nameless Ghouls. Forge stayed publicly anonymous until a 2017 lawsuit confirmed his identity.
What are Ghost fans called?
Ghost's fanbase is commonly known as the Congregation, in keeping with the band's church theming.
Is Ghost a metal band?
Ghost blends hard rock, heavy metal, arena rock, and pop hooks. They're often filed under metal, but the band has repeatedly said they don't aim to be a metal band.