Show Review: An Evening With Ghost at The Capital Theatre Port Chester, NY 5/15/18

As heavy storms pounding the area Ghost fans dawning costumes resembling religious figures, faces painted like the late Papa Emeritus and even a little Nameless Ghoul made their way to the sold out Capital in Port Chester, NY to hear the sermon of the newly appointed Cardinal Copia. With the curtain closed and Klara Stjärnor by Jan Johansson and Miserere Mei, Deus by Gregorio Allegri (Choir of New College Oxford and Edward Higginbottom version) playing through the theatre’s P.A. system with fans waiting in anticipation the arrival of the band. When the music over the P.A. system had stopped sounds from the Nameless Ghoul’s guitars could be heard, with the curtain opening the sold out crowd roared as the Nameless Ghouls and Ghoulettes alongside Cardinal Copia decked out in an all black tuxedo suit took to the stage resembling the inside of a church cathedral made of marble complete with the backdrop of three giant stained glass windows that hosted an image of Papa Nihil center window. Going right into the band’s newest single “Rats” with the crowd screaming and singing along to the chorus it was clear that the newly appointed Cardinal was welcomed with open arms as the band would then follow up with Absolution. With lighting changes setting the mood for each song the energy felt was unlike any Ghost show of the past. Not only was the energy level unlike any Ghost show in the past, the once five piece Nameless Ghouls were now a seven piece band of Nameless Ghouls and Ghoulettes that we would now see singing backing vocals for the Cardinal. Much like the late Papa’s of the past the Cardinal gestured and interacted with the crowd throughout the show. After finishing Ritual the Cardinal left the stage only to return for Con Clavi Con Duo in a black choir dress and black biretta complete with smoking thurible. This would only be the first of four outfits we see the new Cardinal in that evening. Midway through their set after Stand By Him the Ghouls would have themselves a small jam session before being joined by Papa Nihil performing a solo on his saxophone that sent the crowd into a frenzy screaming and cheering. The Cardinal would then return to the stage now sporting a white suit with a black hat wrapped in white that reminded me of something out of The Godfather, with the Cardinal’s return the Ghouls would then took a seat on the steps of the alter and perform an acoustic version of Jigolo Har Megiddo but not before the Cardinal apologized for making fans wait in the rain, but it was the wrath of God he said, then asked for a round of applause for Gods wrath. From there the band went onto play two more songs before an intermission break, yes just like a play breaking the show up into acts curtain closed lights on the whole nine very theatrical, something the entire show had been thus far a bit on the theatrical side which only made for a more exciting show.

After having Masked Ball by Jocelyn Took play over the theatre’s P.A. system the 15 minute intermission was over it was now onto Act 2 as the lights went dark and the curtain opened we would now see the Cardinal return in a red choir dress with red biretta. The Cardinal would ask the crowd, did you take a break? In which the sold out crowd would scream in return No!  Following “Spirit” the unmistakeable bass line of the fan favorite “From the Pinnacle to the Pit” began and once again would send the crowd into a defining roar. From there the band played “Faith” followed by another fan favorite “Year Zero”. With the Cardinal once again leaving the stage he would return atop of stairs wearing his black tuxedo suit surrounded by the Ghouls for the song “He Is”. The Cardinal ask the sold out crowd the question, Do you like heavy music? Like really heavy music? with the crowd screaming yes! He then asked Do want me to tickle your taints? as laughter filled the theatre the band would go onto perform “Mummy Dust”. As the song ended confetti rained down from the sealing as the sold out crowd cheered with excitement holding their arms high in the air. I even spotted a few younger fans picking up pieces of confetti to take home as a memento of the amazing night they had experienced. The bands lengthly two hour set that featured six songs songs off the new and upcoming album “Prequelle” as well as the Roky Erickson cover of “If You Have Ghost”, followed by “Dance Macabre” and the hit single “Square Hammer” that had the entire sold out theatre singing along word for word making it almost impossible to even hear the Cardinal’s voice over the crowds defining pitch. As the band finished up their set with the encore of “Monstrance Clock” they would all come center stage and take their bows in front of the sold out crowd as fans screamed and cheered the bands amazing performance. “The Host of Seraphim” by Dead Can Dance played through the theatre’s P.A. system as fans began to pour out onto the streets amazed reflecting on the nights incredible performance.

Act 1

Klara Stjärnor (Jan Johansson)

Miserere Mei, Deus (Gregorio Allegri) (Choir of New College Oxford and Edward Higginbottom version)

1. Ashes
2. Rats
3. Absolution
4. Ritual
5. Con Clavi Con Dio
6. Per Aspera ad Inferi
7. Devil Church
8. Cirice
9. Stand by Him
10. Miasma (Papa Nihil sax solo)
11. Jigolo Har Megiddo (Acoustic)
12. Pro Memoria
13. Deus in Absentia

Act 2

Masked ball (Jocelyn Pook)

1. Spirit
2. From the Pinnacle to the Pit
3. Faith
4. Year Zero
5. He Is
6. Prime Mover
7. Mummy Dust
8. If You have Ghost (Roky Erickson cover)
9. Dance Macabre
10. Square Hammer
11. Monstrance Clock

The Host of Seraphim (Dead Can Dance)

TO PRE ORDER GHOST “PREQUELLE”

HOMEPAGE/iTUNES