Ghost - The Future Is A Foreign Land (Pianist continues his journey through rock/metal)

[@yuriaby]

It's a great irony, because it's a vision of a better future from 1969, and that 55 years later everything would be solved, fascist regimes would not exist and we will all live in harmony... But it's 2024 and that's not what happened and that's the dark side of this lyric and add that to the new nuclear panic

[@T1hitsTheHighestNote]

Such great irony.

[@c0nv3rg3]

I wish the red hats were intelligent enough to understand. 😅 It’s really tragic irony.

[@nine3502]

Right, the date doesn’t bother me because it is a song sung by a guy in “1969” describing things he sees and hoping that in the far future ‘2024’ maybe things will be better but if not and the men in charge that are currently pointing nukes at each other (cold war) are actually crazy enough to fire at each other, then I’ll hold you for the moment it takes for us to be incinerated. It’s beautiful and tragic at the same time.

[@kuraixtenshi33]

BUT if it all burns down, we can all hold eachother close for the minute :D

[@Söderlund11]

1984 Orwell

[@raulycaio1]

Ghost goes beyond metal. It is simply one of the greatest rock bands currently active. It must be very difficult to appreciate and recognize the band's genius, especially Tobias's.

[@dmpunk1000]

The cinematography and sound of the live concert part of the movie was incredible. It sucks that you couldn't get to see it in a theater. It's so well done.

[@dmpunk1000]

You gotta see the movie.... It will then make sense.

[@Harlizarrd]

I'm gonna be honest, as a ghost fan I sat through the credits and it didn't even occur to me that it was a Ghost song because it was such a different vibe, and I was gossiping to my friend about the movie, tbh. Relistening to it, I fucking love this song since I love Nihil's other stuff. It feels like everything Nihil was responsible for was so love based.

[@nine3502]

Absolutely powerful with the end credits video. Completely changes my perception of the song, audio vs audio with video.

[@IRanOutOfPhrases]

Quickly: This isn't Ghost's first time talking about love in their songs. It happens quite a bit. If they're not casting a mirror on Christianity's hypocrisy, they're usually found preaching love. Longly: Here's my take on the 'year' thing in songs. I think sometimes it CAN be bad, but I think it depends on the context as to why the year was included. Boom Boom Pow has that "I'm so 3008. You're so 2000 and late" lyric which was dated the moment it came out. But I think the bigger issue with that song is that since the song itself is shallow, the shallow lyric expires even faster. But there are songs that exist out there that can do it better. One that comes to mind is Neil Young's After The Goldrush when it references "mother nature on the run in the 1970s." Instead of nineteen-seventies, he now sings "twenty-first century." But more importantly, the message of the song has endured (and probably become even more important since initial writing.) So it is able to retain its staying power through the simple fact that the message continues to be relevant. Then there's an extra nugget on this one. Yes, the song was written 'today.' But its intentionally from the perspective of someone writing it back in 1969. The intent of the song is pointing out how the things they found to be dangerous and world threatening back then are still very much looming today. And as long as those threats (specifically referenced twice: right-wing fascism) remains, this song's message will remain important. I'd ALMOST put it in the same category as Prince's 1999. Both songs actually share the similarity of dealing with threats to the end of the world. Prince's differs a bit since he ACTUALLY wrote his song from back in the past, where Ghost's was fictionally written in the past, but it's an interesting commonality there too. But I wouldn't say Prince's 1999 is now dated since we've moved to the newest century. The general theme of his song is still very much a concern today, thus giving the song continued meaning.

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

I remember dancing my a$$ off to 1999 on New Year's Eve of 2000! Last winter it was still a must on the drunk karaoke playlist at my sister's favourite neighbourhood cantina when I was visiting her and the fam in Mexico. Some songs can use a date and remain ageless. My bro-in-law did a great version of "Summer of '69" that night too, and that song was from the 80's! If a song still has meaning, dates don't touch its quality. Also, hard agree on the similar themes of 1999 and this song. We're staring down so many possible catastrophes, not counting what's happening with the climate, which is already a slow moving catastrophe. We don't know if we have a future. But we can stand together, and keep each other close if the worst does happen.

[@toadkiss]

You can't worry too much about the year thing since the song was "written in 1969"😉 And it's burns down not comes down

[@kayleighbaldwin5417]

The film is called rite here rite now and the underlying message of the movie is about being in the present, thats why the 2024 is relevant to it all

[@colettepost5185]

The reason for the Pope costume is the Papa Emeritus characters are the anti-pope. Papa Nihl is essentially Papa 0. Unfortunately if you don't know the Ghost lore or have seen the movie, this song doesn't make any sense. The interesting thing about Ghost is it is like Alice in Wonderland because learning the lore is like going down a deep dark hole.

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

He's called Papa Nihil because nihil is Latin for "nothing", and he was retconned into the lore after their 3rd album. All the Papas have been his sons, but since the first one was already called Papa I, they needed to back things up to zero for him, and use Latin because that's what they do whenever something needs to sound spooky and sinister. Also because they're mocking the Catholic Church, which is the only institution outside of museums that still uses Latin for anything!

[@joenalaska]

I disagree completely, I know the lore but I think this song works on multiple levels. You can know nothing and take it at face value and it’s a great song, the more you know the more layers of meaning are added but it’s by no means required. IMHO.

[@Lokeacola]

I think the guitar sound they are going for is jamesbond espionage spy sound to fit the cold war prophecy (stazi east/west Germany) of suspicion and dread of nuclear war ( when it all burns down in 1 minute) currently live in that was foretold when the song was written in the 1960s by the bands first singer(anti pope/shitty father). Lucky for the band this song will always be relevant. The idea of the messiah challenging the empires that wage war only to become what theyve feared, doomed to repeat history Amazing band. Amazing movie.

[@funeralgothatoo5814]

The message of the song becomes very clear when you understand it's a cold war anthem written from the perspective of someone in 1969. And of course listening to a song "from 1969" in 2024 we need to realise the cold war never ended. The context of the song in the film gave me the chills. Was very heavy feeling. Tied in very well with the overall message of the movie. Ghost is wonderfully subversive. They have a lot of positive themes in their music, a lot of it bittersweet. Also if you have the perspective that a lot of religious ideology and religious groups are actually detrimental to society, Satanism symbolically stands for something against all that. This new track sits well with other songs about the threat of nuclear war with Forever Young by Alphaville, 99 Luftballlons by Nena, Since Yesterday by Strawberry Switchblade and of course 1999 by Prince.

[@Greatmeasures]

Thanks for this!

[@funeralgothatoo5814]

@@Greatmeasures You're welcome. :) Hope you two get to see the movie sooner or later. The entire production is so perfectly executed; the audio mix and the cinematography are incredible. I saw it in a good quality theatre with great sound and it felt like I was at a real live show. Experienced many flashbacks of seeing them last October.

[@c0nv3rg3]

@@funeralgothatoo5814 well said!

[@soisyou5184]

I looooved Rite here Rite now so damn much! It's like being at a concert but you get to be on and behind stage! And everything behind their music and lore is so good! It makes something with your brain 😅

[@DaP84]

Ghost actually have earlier songs that are way heavier than their poppy stuff, that fit their visual presentation

[@MusicandCatLover-vc6jb]

I thought the first time i heard it at the cinema, it will be a hit. 60's pop with a twang guitar and a catchy melody. Love it.

[@noopbloop5051]

Ghost does use that very common chord progression a lot (the one in the chorus of Square Hammer, and this song), but they usually keep it so cryptic a lot of times I can't even tell it's there.

[@rhondahale3245]

You guys should to watch/react to the Chapter videos before watching the movie!!! It is parts live show from the LA shows last September, part continuation of the Chapter videos. I was at the LA shows! The movie is awesome!!!!

[@0d1an42069]

Papa Nihl is resurrected at shows to play the saxophone.

[@Harlizarrd]

Plays the saxophone like a true Swiss, too.

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

@@Harlizarrd I see what you did there!😉

[@dmdanart]

The Ghost movie bit at the beginning was good. 😂

[@newonlinetheatren.o.t1339]

The missing context about the "this song is about loving one another" and darkness, Satan, etc, is that ultimately Ghost uses Satan more as the enlightening rebellious lucifer against God's strict fascistic rule (what real religion does, rather than the ideals of individuals).

[@moomoo5470]

The movie was AWESOME

[@sekcaJ]

I can't unsee the General Motors logo on that outro

[@DallasGunther]

I love that late 50's early 60's sound as well. Stuff like the Rightous Brothers and whatnot. Danzig has a couple songs in that vein. Check out "blood and tears" for an example.

[@steviefoxworth]

Saw it in Hattiesburg! Shocked it wasn’t shown in the Jackson area.

[@alexgram1276]

Ghost rules! Love your reactions guys! If I can make a suggestion, Darker Thoughts by Paradise Lost maybeee🤘

[@uniman2480]

Batman and Alfred doing music reactions

[@Bunker_XD]

dude i swear i thought he looks like ben affleck

[@larteonceagain]

Of cource they have to resurrect Papa Nihil when they play the fantastic Miasma, who else would be playing the sax-solo:-). But about years in the song, I don't think it's a problem with Zager & Evans "In The Year of 2525", that by the way was written in 1969 :-)

[@maggotmeister2332]

Like you mixed Bob Dylan and Suede.. I dig

[@wendyjg123]

It’s playing in Hattiesburg according to Fandango

[@Greatmeasures]

Noted!

[@robertorivas4889]

Hey us! Cool video. Papa Nihil simply refers in their lore as being Papa 0. Cheers

[@spartan2010JN]

Love the videos!, Please do some Early Ghost, Like their first album Opus Eponymous, They're definitely metal. Listen to Year Zero, or Con Clavi Con Dio, that whole album is INTENSE.

[@Thescottishguyreacts]

He’s singing when it all burns down not comes down lol

[@Democratic_Republic_of_Iacon]

Y’all should react to Death Knell and Con Clavi Con Dio

[@c0nv3rg3]

@@Democratic_Republic_of_Iacon Ghuleh / Zombie Queen!

[@4211234]

tobias is so freaking smart

[@BrianYates-ue8hf]

I'm a casual Ghost listener but I have to admit they do write catchy straight ahead tunes A lot of their stuff reminds me of 80's pop music although I prefer their heavier songs I would've liked this song to be a bit longer Maybe extend the middle 8 section a bit and add a few more turn arounds and licks Not bad overall Pll say their image is satanic but that's just image I've seen interviews with Tobias and he's no King Diamond lol (KD fans will get the reference)🤘✌️😎🧐

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

I would say that the difference between King Diamond and Tobias Forge is the difference between the Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple. Both have Satan in the name, but their values and goals couldn't be more different. (I'm with TST, to be clear.)

[@harmony5305]

Id recommend Zenith from them, pretty interesting song from them. Great video 🔥

[@Fernando_Camilo]

You guys need to see the movie. And all will comes down. 😁

[@vibin_psilocybin]

Song's fun at 150% speed, too. This band's image never matched their music for me, but maybe i havent listened to enough of it. The album art you're showing there is really well done

[@Kodaemon]

That's one of the fun parts about Ghost, they prep you with their image and surprise you with the milder sound. I always loved that little cheat ;)

[@funeralgothatoo5814]

​​@@Kodaemon​That's definately Tobias' punk ethos showing with regards to the aesthetics subverting the music! Here's my story. The first time I heard of Ghost I didn't bother to listen to them because upon seeing just two of the band members in the black monk cloaks and masks I assumed they played the kind of relentlessly growly, screamy and unmelodic metal styles that I don't care for (this was when they anonymously guest programmed the music video show Rage on Australian tv in 2014). Fast forward to 2022 and I am googling for news about a new one-off outdoor production of Phantom of the Opera in Sydney with new designs for costumes, sets and staging. I get a hit for an interview with someone named Tobias Forge and his band Ghost. The band name is familiar to me. I suddenly remember those two hooded masked monks on the Rage guest couch. I skim the article. This Tobias guy is citing Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera and Cats as an inspiration? What?! Wait. What does this band actually sound like? I have never heard any musician or band in my life say they like those musical theatre shows. I am a fan of both works. I am immediately very intrigued. I read the whole article proper then begin seeking out their music on KZbin. The late night deep dive begins. Many many music videos, album listens and lore chapters later I am absolutely taken by them and an instant fan. Saw them for the first time in Melbourne, Australia last year, just a few days after my birthday. Glad I get to be here for the ride henceforth!

[@Backstage_Politician]

Tambourine

[@iamzumie]

Please react to IGORRR, it blew me mind live. song: Paranoid Bulldozer Italiano

[@FlightdeckJohnny]

It is pope as in the church boss of the world. And there are different popes during the discography. Fictional characters. A bit interesting to read about

[@SuperNovaForTheBlind15]

♠️ V H RIGHT NOW ♠️

[@Darker_Waters]

Yep, demi moore was a real hottie. 🤤 This song wasn't though, sadly. Judson’s gotta be careful. We might see him with a gag next video haha! 😅

[@thetruth4654]

React to Ulcerate`s music

[@samuelgilbert5828]

Please react to some of andy gillion song melodic ( guitar) ! Really impressive

[@Moonchilddbk]

You both are great und very interesting to watch. W😮uld you fulfilled my wish and react to My Dying Bride - Sea to Suffer in ...or Dimmu Borgir -Mouning Palace Danke Big gretingzz from Hamburg, Germany ❤

[@coyscottberg2507]

Sounds like REM

[@chinalia28]

Show him " He is"

[@bumblefluff79]

I'm still not sold on Ghost. They're interestin' 'n' all, but it just doesn't float my boat. I think you hit the nail on the head with the whole 60's vibe, going to introduce them to my mum I think.

[@iansimmons735]

It was supposed to be '60s (1969, specifically) - along with two other songs that confuse metal-heads 😂

[@101Mant]

Is supposed to be a song that they did in the 60s, it's part of the ongoing story and lore.

[@ph0b0rz]

I'd say if you don't like Ritual, Year Zero, Square Hammer , Rats.. then it isn't for you. :)

[@bumblefluff79]

Just gave them a listen and they're alright but I think I'm just too grizzled to get onboard. It's like if Volbeat were written by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. Perfectly adept but for a different audience.

[@DaP84]

@@bumblefluff79 try "From the Pinnacle To the Pit", one of their heavier tracks. 3 first albums have heavier stuff

[@Olivia_Neumann]

“They do a lot of references to the Dark Lord.” Ah yes, the world of Harry Potter has infiltrated Ghost! GREAT verses, but the chorus is very much too hook-y for me too. Sure, catchy hooks is an artform, but too much of a good thing sometimes make that thing less interesting 🤔

[@brettm7045]

Sounds like The Smiths

[@vitokogarrido9225]

dificil intro jajajajaja

[@C0maT0ast]

Weezer's older brother? I thought it would at least sound a bit heavier.

[@valleyofghouls]

ghost does loads of stuff like this lol their sound is very varied

[@CaptainGarisen-bl3vp]

As it was said in the video, this song is supposed to come from 1969 in Ghost lore. It was quite heavy back then.

[@alexandereckert5939]

ghost is metal man its hard to make it through this drivel

[@animusora]

Im honestly suprised Ghost have been around for so long. I never thought they would make it. Its just not metal to me

[@iansimmons735]

You are correct. It's so much more.

[@soaringbullet]

Waaah it's not metal waaaahhhh

[@101Mant]

As an old metalhead I long since gave up caring if something is "metal". So many subgenres and annoying fans of them who want to gatekeep the whole genre. Not to mention bands who straddle both rock and metal who have different songs that go into both. I like Ghost, I loved the movie, I enjoy the music that's enough for me.

[@robbiegreen7067]

It's more a theatrical / arena, rock n roll show than just another metal act, But it makes it so much more unique and interesting

[@DaP84]

They have a lot of qualities. Why does it have to be metal? lol

[@RAAZR-]

Tobias' former band Repugnant which he was in under the alias Mary Goore was some interesting death metal. This pop rock stuff is fun and catchy but every release seems to strain further from metal (which makes sense with the amount of women liking their music), just not for me anymore

[@valleyofghouls]

the lighter stuff has been around for ages and the heavy stuff is still there there’s just more variety, also the women comment is just weird. most of the other girls i know love the heavier stuff and are also Repugnant fans…

[@RAAZR-]

@@valleyofghouls anecdotal evidence makes you weird too so congrats on accomplishing nothing with your comment

[@gnosis555]

They keep becoming more of a teen girl kinda band but for hot topic girls. More power to them, I can enjoy some of there stuff if I’m in a pop mood but there’s no doubt this is all a cash grab with not much interesting musically going on.

[@funeralgothatoo5814]

It's almost as if Tobias Forge has a different range of taste in music to you and his pet project ends up reflecting that. Ghost is what Tobias intends it to be. It wont always match everyone else's tastes. And that includes what people seem to deem "lighter" or "less complicated" Also it takes skill to write a good "pop" song, whatever that means. Listening to 99% of a top 20 chart list these days tells me those artists are no where near the league of what Ghost are doing musically. Satan forbid we actually have catchy songs written by actual music nerds like Tobias who appreciate fully live musicianship and nuanced use of real instruments. If ONLY the charts had music like Ghost. For example, the top "pop"songs in 1980 in Australia included Kate Bush, Pink Floyd, Split Enz, Queen, Blondie and David Bowie. I want popular music to be good again. But no, we have to be subjected to Taylor Swift, whose fans seem to only think musical appreciation is obsessing over lyrics and TS's personal life therein. Seriously, they never talk amongst themselves in detail about the actual music; not the instrumentation, not the production choices, not the possible influences, nothing. I always ask, if Taylor Swift's music never had vocals, would they have cared for it? Meanwhile Ghost always keeps giving us gorgeous instrumental tracks like Miasma , Imperium and Helvetesfonster. Fans love these as much as the songs with vocals. So that being said, it's insane to me that anyone would write off Ghost's "less, metal, less heavy, less complicated" stuff. It's all so masterfully crafted by someone who truly loves music and devours music from all eras and genres. I'll end this with a quote by Russell Mael of Sparks: "We still have a real passion for pop music. It’s not a lesser form of music. I think pop music, when it’s done well, really is inspirational in a number of different ways."

[@RAAZR-]

@@funeralgothatoo5814 from the little I read from your essay you seem to assume a lot about me which I have never said, so won't bother with the rest. Take care

[@kahwigulum]

still never going to listen to ghost its not metal, and it's not even good music dad music

[@revylokesh1783]

So what if it's not Metal? If yo limit yourself to that one genre, however awesome it is, you're missing out on some pretty good stuff. I've been listening to various forms of Metal since the late 80s, and I can tell you Tobias Forge has more musicality in his pinky than some metal guys have in their whole hands.

[@kinatan968]

What a shallow person 🥱

[@soaringbullet]

Loser elitist

[@Ralonmithos]

What a cringe comment yeez

[@valleyofghouls]

who give a shit what it is lol, you not liking it doesn’t mean it sucks, music isn’t for everyone

[@steviefoxworth]

Saw it in Hattiesburg! Shocked it wasn’t shown in the Jackson area.