Ghost, formerly known as “Ghost B.C.” in the US until the release of Meliora, is a Swedish metal band with psychedelic elements that harkens back to a more eerie period of metal, evoking the sound of bands like Black Sabbath and Blue Öyster Cult. They won the Grammy in 2016 for Best Metal Performance.

They are well known for their occult-themed lyrics in their songs, as well as the way they portray themselves in a distantly tongue-in-cheek manner as a dark, sinister religious sect, commanded by the Emeritus bloodline.

(Papa Nihil, the oldest family member)

The band members retain a greater degree of anonymity, five of whom are known by name as, “Nameless Ghouls,” signing their names as the alchemical symbol they’ve each been assigned:

Fire (lead guitarist)
Water (bassist)
Air (keyboardist)
Earth (drummer)
Aether (rhythm guitarist)

These symbols represented each of the band members until the launch of Prequelle in 2018 where they removed the alchemical symbols altogether.

It is also noted that all songs are written by “A Ghoul Writer,” but it’s known that Tobias Forge writes the songs and only 2-3 members are part of the songwriting process.

Papa Emeritus himself has changed appearances thrice and now, for Prequelle, the lead singer is known by Cardinal Copia (though the vocalist himself remains the same man).

(Papa Emeritus)

The first such instance occurred on 12/12/12, when Papa Emeritus introduced a younger man in a similar costume as Papa Emeritus II.

(Papa Emeritus II)

The second instance occurred on June 3rd, 2015, when an ad released by the band revealed that P.E. II had been ‘fired’ for not having opened any churches, toppled any governments, or converted any world leaders in his time as Papa Emeritus. Papa Emeritus III was introduced as his younger brother.

(Papa Emeritus III)

Papa Emeritus III was after kicked off by Papa Emeritus 0, known for being the oldest member of the family. After some months, for the band’s fourth album Prequelle, a new leader was announced, Cardinal Copia, the only lead singer that is formally not of the Emeritus’ bloodline (though he is suspected to be the bastard child of Papa Nihil and Sister Imperator).

(Cardinal Copia)

In a ritual (concert) in Mexico in 2020, Papa Nihil was killed by the Ghouls and Cardinal Copia ascended to become Papa Emeritus IV.

(Papa Emeritus IV)

Regarding the small change of name during a period form “Ghost” to “Ghost B.C.,” a Nameless Ghoul said:

The “B.C.” is for “Because of Copyright” or “Before Coachella,” if you want. No, it’s just an amendment. We don’t call ourselves that. The name of the band is still Ghost. We are still referred to as Ghost. That’s what we are. We just put on the “B.C.” when we need to do that. It’s like saying, “Let’s go to the ‘Jack in the Box, LLC.’” You don’t do that.