Ghost: 2 Big To Rig (Zealous) Review

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*Erratic waving* Hello little rays of sunshine (pun intended … if you know Ghost then you get it ha) – It’s me! Stacy – the Gemini of … your nightmares … just kidding ha That’d be weird if I was in your nightmares, especially with how deeply and greatly I wish for everyone’s biggest dreams to come to fruition. Anyway – what an intro LOL

This past weekend, fellow wondrous dreamer and writer Melinoe Morningstar and I were gifted free IMAX tickets to see the debut of Ghost’s concert/live album film ‘2 Big to Rig’. (Thanks so much again to Dorothy Keeler and Amelia Marrero for thinking of me – and to Melinoe for rallying for a 9:30 PM showing, which is hilariously a bit too late for us to just be getting out haha We are gettin’ old, baby!) 

*Also, to note: This late showing was the same night of the lunar eclipse, which made it an extra special outing for us! When we got back to my house and went to part ways, we were able to share a moment looking up at La Luna to watch the shadow of the eclipse slowly make its way to fullness. Such a sweet moment with two friends who feel so deeply into Mother Nature and its wonderment <3

Okay, on to the meat of the article! 

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I’ll begin with some transparency: I’m not a die-hard Ghost fan, BUT I fully enjoy their music! I can’t recall how I was introduced to them, but I became a fan after listening to their album ‘Meliora’ (specifically their song ‘Cirice’ – love it!). I was especially pulled toward the theatrical vocals mixed with Classic Rock tones/style (with some Pop elements, as well) + they have some really bangin’ Metal-inspired songs and breakdowns. (Their music reminds me a lot of Muse – a band that will forever be in my top 10 “all time favs”. )

So, when I heard they made a “movie”, I was like, ‘Hell yeah! Why not?!’ After all, Ghost is an all-around fun band. I’ve never seen them live, but you understand the vibe even just listening to their music at home. Frontman and lead vocalist Tobias Forge – aka Papa Emeritus I-IV, Cardinal Copia, Frater Imperator, Papa V Perpetua – and, most recently, “Poopoo Perpetua” (which you have to read further to fully get LOL) – along with the Nameless Ghouls make some seriously engaging music. Regardless if you’re into their theatrics or not, I think it’s safe to say it’s hard to not at least tap your foot to their music. And their lyrics? Well, those are all about Satan! LOL (Well, Satan and Tobias’ experience with Christianity.)

Rolling Stone UK – Photo by Jennifer McCord

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I only say ‘LOL’ because (deep inhale) I’m still deconstructing from my personal experience with – along with society’s conditioning of – Christianity. I’m on an ever-evolving spiritual journey, and I won’t judge others for the belief system(s) they experiment with or choose as a guide for this life (except, of course, if it leads to hurting or being a danger to themselves/others). 

As I stated in my very first Rock Oracle article – Broadening My Musicality with Behemoth: 

“… it’s completely okay – totally acceptable! – to find different aspects from different belief systems interesting. It’s okay to resonate with bits and pieces of them all.”

Another important reminder: It’s okay to not “agree” with the sentiment behind the lyrics but still enjoy the music itself. Ghost is one of those bands that I feel like could be (and likely is) demonized a bit – from a mainstream perspective – but they have plenty of songs that anyone could relate and jam to. 

I say: Just live and let live, yo. 

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Back to 2 Big To Rig: I purposely didn’t look up any info about it beforehand – other than the official title – because sometimes I like going in without expectations; it keeps me more open-minded. This approach happily led to a happy surprise when I realized it was a live concert film! There were behind-the-scenes peeks of production, as well, which I always love seeing – and through those little peeks, you quickly understand how they chose the name for the film – the production for this show (and the tour – Skeletour – in general) was MASSIVE! 

We often don’t get perspective into the work that goes behind show production, but when we do, it helps remind us why we pay those ticket prices and sacrifice a night of comfort/sleep LOL Ghost went all the fucking way out with this tour, and it was awesome to experience – even on a screen.

Photo by Ryan Chang

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Shot on 16mm film (UGH – LOVE), the concert was recorded at one of their two sold-out dates in Mexico City – and boy was it a packed show! Technically it was their second show date, as Tobias ended up falling ill with what he called The Curse of Montezuma (food poisoning) that caused Ghost to cancel the first night – hence the title PooPoo Perpetua that Tobias jokingly gave himself in between songs LOL gotta love a public figure that can joke about their poopy woes.  

If the reason behind the cancellation hadn’t been announced, you wouldn’t have even thought twice about something having happened to him because the performance was so on point! The vocals – that raspy-yet-velvet voice – Tobias, you little minx! – and the entire band’s performance (holistically and individually) resulted in a powerful, seductive performance that left even us in the theater feeling energized and wanting more! 

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Tobias led the band with that magnetic charm and charisma you expect from the Swedes LOL but it wasn’t all about him the entire show! The Ghouls stole the stage plenty of times. From their ever-mysterious face masks and elaborate outfits to their exemplary musical flaunts, the show was a joy to watch/experience from beginning to end. Everyone’s presence on stage was thrilling and dynamic, and the way they had the crowd totally enamored, hanging onto every note and lyric was truly impressive to say the least.

Photo by Ryan Chang

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From a movie perspective, it was honestly an enjoyable watch. I loved the 16 mm film choice; it gave the movie a very authentic feel. The behind-the-scenes peeks were a smaller percentage of the movie than perhaps someone like me – who thoroughly enjoys details like that – would have preferred, but we were able to learn a good bit about the hard work and dedication put into the extreme lighting for the production – such as the massive “Grucifix” crafted from what seemed like a million lights (800 moving lights for just that piece of the production) – and a total of 68 U.S. tons of lights across the entire show … WHAT?! The stage decor and visuals were, of course, also a major part of the production that just emphasized Ghost and their team’s commitment for the *drama* LOL 

Photo by Ryan Chang

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All of the effort put into making of the film made it feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those of us seeing it “secondhand”, and that was something I really appreciated as a viewer. Plus, who doesn’t prefer being able to sit comfortably while eating a soft pretzel dipped in nacho cheese and getting to vibe to music you dig? Answer=no one!

After wrapping their recent tour, which spanned across Europe, North America, and (obviously) Mexico – 70 shows in total (phew!) – Tobias announced he won’t be making any new music for a while. In an interview with Kerrang!, he explained:

“Every other record has been very inspired and there’s been a clear thought, there’s been a purpose. And that was completely generated by my passion to do so – it was never contractual fulfilment or whatever. It was nothing like that. And this time around it was just like, ‘I don’t have an idea.’ I just want to do other things and it doesn’t really mean anything other than that, but it also means that, no, we don’t have anything in the books, and yeah, it’s just a normal hiatus.”

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Tobias is apparently still very active in his passions, though, so the plan isn’t for him to disappear! He is currently involved in different film projects – one of which is set to “happen in the fall.” So, we’ve still got much to look forward to from one of the greatest frontmen of our time!

It was a great experience, and I’ve always got to express gratitude to those who pulled the long shifts to make it happen – to Ghost and all of the (likely hundreds) of people involved in every step of the way – for the movie, shows, tour planning, etc. – THANK YOU. You’ve helped bring joy and excitement to such an exorbitant number of people!

As always ~ Until next time! Go shine bright, you special, unique speckles of star and sun energy!