With their striking and elaborate papal costumes, Ghost has undoubtedly become one of the most recognizable hard rock and metal bands of the last two decades. Their unique and dark aesthetic raises the question: what underground band served as the inspiration for their theatrical style?

In a recent interview with Qobuz promoting the release of Ghost’s sixth studio album, Skeleta, frontman Tobias Forge shared insights into his early influences. The full interview can be viewed below, providing a deeper understanding of Forge’s creative vision and inspirations.

While discussing significant metal albums, such as Metallica’s iconic ‘Black Album’ and Iron Maiden’s revered Live After Death, Forge also highlighted a lesser-known Italian metal band named Death SS, showcasing their influence on his work.

Discover the Impact of Death SS on Ghost’s Unique Sound

Founded in 1977 by lead vocalist Steve Sylvester, Death SS released their debut album, … In Death of Steve Sylvester, in 1988. To fully grasp the band’s impact on Ghost, one only needs to look at the cover art of their 1991 album Heavy Demons, which features all band members adorned in terrifying skull and animal masks, perfectly capturing their macabre aesthetic.

“Death SS has had a lasting influence on Ghost, and it continues to resonate with me,” Forge revealed. “I remain a fan, and my perception of their music, along with what I imagined they could evolve into, significantly shaped my vision of what Ghost was meant to embody when I began composing the first album.”

He elaborated, saying, “When discussing Ghost with others, I described the music as being heavy and metal but imagined it in the vein of Demon or Angel Witch, representing that distinct New Wave of British Heavy Metal sound, yet infused with mature AOR vocals. It’s somewhat reminiscent of ‘divorce rock’ but layered with sinister undertones. My goal was for the band’s visual presentation to echo that of Death SS.”

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Forge further explained that Death SS’s influence on Ghost was driven by aspiration. “Essentially, I wanted the sound to align with what I envisioned Death SS could achieve,” he stated. “Listening to many of Death SS’s records reveals a much thrashier vibe; they lack the melodic, operatic, and grandiose sound that I aspire for Ghost to embody.”

Exploring the Sounds of Death SS’s “Heavy Demons”

The frontman also mentioned the Italian-Slovenian art-rock band Devil Doll when articulating the musical and aesthetic fusion he dreamed of for Ghost. “In my vision, I wanted a band that visually resembled Death SS, [but] while sonically, I aimed for a sound akin to Devil Doll,” he shared. “That band holds a special place in my heart as one of my favorite Italian horror rock groups. The combination of these influences is crucial; Death SS is a fantastic band with a captivating image that has stood the test of time, and Steve Sylvester, their lead singer, is an exceptionally talented individual.”

Watch Tobias Forge Elaborate on Death SS and His Influences on Ghost