Metal Myths’ Ghost Archival Exhibition Tribute To Band’s 1969 Era

Metal Myths hosted its first ever pop-up event in honor of heavy metal band Ghost. For one night only, on Wednesday, Feb. 1, Metal Myths presented the free exhibition Ghost – Reverence & Resurrection. Fans were promised an extensive tribute to the 1969 era of Ghost with unseen artifacts and never before publicly displayed memorabilia.

One of the main displays were five mannequins dressed in the classic attire and masks the band wore on the same Whisky A Go Go stage where the band performed its legendary Sept. 13, 1969 show, which didn’t actually happen. Fans were able to take pictures in front of the mannequins. Of course, the mannequin displays also included the infamous Sister Imperator in the iconic green dress staring down at the stage from the balcony in a recreation of the “Kiss The Go-Goat” music video.

Upon entry guests automatically see a series of tarot cards on every table leading them to a glass casket showcasing a realistic Papa Nihil, who was the band’s frontman during the Seven Inches of Satanic Panic era in 1969 and died on March 3, 2020, according to the lore. After paying their respects fans were able to see a vintage leather Ghost jacket and head up the stage to take pictures with a young Papa Nihil and his band of Nameless Ghouls. Continuing to the second-floor fans were able to purchase exclusive merchandise and an advance chance to purchase the highly anticipated purple vinyl reissue of Ghost’s 1969 7-inch Seven Inches of Satanic Panic and a limited edition Impera box set.

Once back to the first-floor fans were able to see rare magazine covers and comic book art. The magazine covers mimic famed 1970s publications such as Life Magazine, Rolling Stone and (recently revived) Creem.  A Jack Kirby character sketch for Ghost comic book was displayed on the wall with the statement: “This project was ultimately unrealized as it was feared that a comic book starring Papa Nihil would cause unwanted controversy.” Next to the sketch was a comic book titled Our Love Story Issue No. 13 stating that both characters of Papa Nihil and Sister Imperator were introduced to the comic book world via an appearance in the popular romance series Our Love Story. A vintage television displayed a still image from Scooby Doo Season 1, Episode 3: “Scooby and Friends: 1, Papa Nihil.” The excerpt next to the vintage television stated that animators of the show were huge fanatics and wished to create a guest appearance of Papa Nihil as a ghoul who enchanted kids of Crystal Cove with his music. The supposed episode broadcasted two weeks after the iconic Whisky A Go Go concert. Papa Nihil’s saxophone was also on display “on loan from the Mausoleum archives.”

The “archival exhibit” was created by Alex Ross Perry in dedication to the Ghost 1969 storyline. Of course, Ghost did not exist in 1969 but the exhibit further expanded their fabled tales of the late ‘60s cementing them into “rock history.” The dedication to create and encourage the band’s lore is insane, but then again so is Ghost who have created such elaborate stories and quite literally jump through time with their music.

In reality, the Swedish rock band formed in 2006 and released their debut full-length album Opus Eponymous in 2010. Prior to 2017, not a single member’s identity was known. Over the years they have revealed their names but anonymity continues to play a major role in Ghost’s personas. The band won their first Grammy Award in 2016 for Best Metal Performance for their song “Cirice.” This year the band is nominated for another Grammy Award for the same category this time for their single “Call Me Little Sunshine.”

This event was definitely only for devoted Ghost fans as many waited over two hours in the chilly Los Angeles night to see very few “artifacts”. Roughly about a dozen items were on display at the Ghost – Reverence & Resurrection pop-up exhibit. The total walk through would have lasted many less than 10 minutes. However, it was a great opportunity for many fans to bond and enjoy a pre-Grammy party with special themed drinks at the iconic LA venue Whisky A Go Go.