It looks like the role of Cardinal Copia will come to an end; according to Ghost mastermind Tobias Forge, who performs as the cardinal and all incarnations of the Ghost frontmen, the role will be retired after the release of their 2021 album. In recent interview, Forge explained that the band will have Papa Emeritus IV front the band as the cardinal’s replacement, during the massive 18-month touring cycle that will follow this album’s release.
“I just know that person will have the name Papa Emeritus IV,” Forge stated in an interview with Kerrang!.” It will be the fourth Papa Emeritus. But who that is, we don’t know yet.”
While Forge states that he does not know who will perform as the fourth Papa Emiritus, it will likely be himself. Forge served as the first three Papa Emiritus from 2010 10 2017, before introducing the latest Cardinal Copia character during the latest touring cycle in 2018.
The band has a habit of killing off their frontmen with each touring cycle, fact that they revealed soon after the announcement of their Cardinal Copia character. These “deaths” are part of the band’s spectacle, none of the band’s performers play using their actual names, and are instead performed by characters such as the frontmen and what are called “four nameless ghouls,” who serve as the group’s backing band.
While the band will not be releasing an album for at least two years, Forge has unveiled plans to make the band’s story into film or book. It is unknown if the book will be a serious biography or rather an exploration into the band’s mythos however.
Photo Credit: Ekaterina Gorbacheva
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