Ghost to Reveal Papa V Perpetua Tomorrow During a “Phantasmagoric Spectacle”

Fans of the insanely popular (and widely hated by metal fans) Ghost are going to want to stay up a bit late tonight. It turns out the band is not only likely to reveal their new frontman Papa V Perpetua after hinting at it for weeks now, but we might be getting the first single off their forthcoming album, as well.

We know this because not only did the band hint at something happening at midnight EST tonight in a statement online, but they also showed white smoke billowing out from the “V is Coming” billboard in Las Vegas during their livestream. For those that weren’t raised Catholic, the white smoke signifies that the clergy have chosen their new pope, so it looks like whatever “church” Ghost ascribe to follows that same gesture.

“We wish to inform you that our Sin City council is complete. Papa V Perpetua’s ascension is imminent. So let’s gather together at 12am EST on Wednesday, March 5. All are welcome to escape the travails of daily life and to become one with the phantasmagoric spectacle.”

For the last month or so, Ghost has been teasing their next phase with the phrase: “V is Coming”. This is the first time the transition from one “Papa” to the other won’t be happening on stage. Instead, the band progressed their lore through their movie Rite Here, Rite Now.

At the end of the flick, a whole bunch of stuff happens in between the live footage until eventually Papa Emeritus IV ascends to a higher role within the band’s “papacy” as Frater Imperator. Then a shadowy figure appears just beyond a door, hinting that the silhouette was the new Papa ready to lead the band moving forward.

The band also have a video premiering at the same time for a track titled “Satanized.” That word should ring a bell if you’ve been paying attention.

So yeah, new Ghost is coming in mere hours, so if you’re excited by that sort of thing, get hyped. If not, get your best “Scooby Doo music” comments ready.