Theatrical Swedish metal band Ghost have revealed a new leader in their latest video. Meet Cardinal Copia.
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As the latest character reinvention of Ghost founder and vocalist Tobias Forge, Cardinal Copia makes his debut in the sketch video as the first leader who isn't part of the Papa Emeritus bloodline. His predecessor, Papa Emeritus III was taken forcibly from the stage during the band's final show of their last tour. Following the abduction, Papa Emeritus Zero announced the beginning of the middle ages. In this new video, Zero christens Cardinal Copa as the new leader, despite some hesitation and with the encouragement of Sister Imperator. Got it?
Forge as Cardinal Copa will make his debut as the band kicks off their Rats! On The Road U.S. tour May 5 in Riverside, Calif. Their fourth album is due out in June with the first single, "Rats," expected to drop later this month.
"It's a themed album around medieval times, but it's definitely clinging onto a lot of very current things." Forge told Revolver. "The Black Death [plague] is a great example of a turning point for a whole civilization. Complete villages were annihilated. Most people knew very little, so all of it was God or the Devil — and about their faith being questioned: Why are we being stricken down by this great scourge? It must be because of our not fearing God enough and all this superstitious bulls***."
At the 58th GRAMMY Awards, Ghost earned the GRAMMY for Best Metal Performance for "Cirice" from their third album, 2015's Meliora, making their forthcoming follow-up LP one of the genre's most anticipated albums of the year.
Tickets for Ghost's Rats! On The Road tour are now on sale via the band's website.
