Last Friday I rushed out of work through a long, agonizing slog of LA traffic just to make it out to the next Ghost gig before I was late. So I wasn't really in the best of moods when I got there but upon getting inside the building however, all my stress seemed to magically subside as I gazed around at the lavish Art Deco decorations. I've been to this venue before, but as I've gained a better appreciation for different styles of architecture recently, it feels like I'm seeing this place with new eyes as I notice new details about it.
This alone is one of the reasons why I love coming to this venue whenever my favorite bands show up (even if the 25 dollar fee for using their parking structure feels like a slap in the face). The natural acoustics of the concert hall are also excellent, so I could hear both the opening and headlining acts very well and it wasn't too hard on the ears for either one. But anyway, I need to get on with the show.
The opening band was the cult favorite shoe gazing black metal group Deafheaven, who came off their widely acclaimed album from last year, New Bermuda. Seeing as that is their newest album, they mostly played songs off of that album, but they also played "Dream House" off of 2013's Sunbather, and the single "From the Kettle Onto The Coil."
It was a five song set list for them, but the songs are pretty lengthy which was reasonable for an opening act and they did an awesome job not only in preparing us for Ghost, but performing in their own right. I definitely want to get more of this band's work as I only have Sunbather in my collection, because this live performance reminded me of how great they are really are.
After Deafheaven wrapped up their show, the lights remained dim for a while as the set was being prepared and some Catholic choir music was being played through the loud speakers. The smell of incense also started filling up the room as Ghost got on stage and roared through their latest arena anthem "Square Hammer."
For about half the set, Papa Emeritus III was dressed up in his usual demonic papal attire before switching out into more of a 1920s-style suit, befitting of the Art Deco concert hall they're performing in. The rest of the Nameless Ghouls were in top form and Papa himself was very down-to-earth and lighthearted in between songs. I particularly enjoyed his little "biology lesson" towards the end of the show, setting up the last song "Monstrance Clock" as a metaphor for a certain kind of cathartic release, if you will.
The whole show in general was extremely fun and the band was firing on all cylinders throughout. They did not let up on any of the special effects either like pyrotechnics and confetti. There was not a single boring or listless moment to be found as every song was engaging and the band very much in-sync with each other. If you haven't already, check out this amazing group and join the congregation for our next celebration of all things ghostly!
Set list:
1. Square Hammer
2. From the Pinnacle to the Pit
3. Secular Haze
4. Stand By Him
5. Con Clavi Con Dio
6. Per Aspera ad Inferi
7. Body and Blood
8. Devil Church
9. Cirice
10. Year Zero
11. He Is
12. Absolution
13. Mummy Dust
14. Ghuleh/Zombie Queen
15. Ritual
Encore:
16. Monstrance Clock
