Written By Mary Imagination *Aspiring Sister Of Sin*.
[MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR] To get into the “SPIRIT” of the article and to get the feel for what Ghost is, I highly recommend listening to “Miasma” while reading this article. Don’t worry, it is a fun instrumental song with no lyrics to distract from the reading. Thank you!
LISTEN TO "MIASMA" BY GHOST BELOW
REJOICE GHOST FANS! We have a new Ghost (the band) movie haunting theatres this August. The clergy blessed us with the teaser on their Instagram this past May featuring Papa Perpetua V’s glittering mask in a sea of darkness, plus information that the film will also be screening in IMAX. As a devoted fan of the macabre music and world of the band Ghost for 11 years, I am over the moon excited for this August. In anticipation of the upcoming “taint tickling” film that the fans have dubbed “Ghouvie,” here is a GUIDE of everything you need to know. Whether you are new to the band Ghost or a fellow Ghestie (Ghost fan) who needs a lore refresher, we at Truly Disturbing are extending this invitation to join us down the road into the FANGTASTIC WORLD of GHOST!
Who And What Is GHOST?
Ghost is a Grammy Award-winning hard rock band that integrates Metal, Pop Rock, and Arena Rock sounds into songs centered on spooky and Satanic themes. They have been blessing us with enthralling, inspiring, and fun tracks since 2010. The band itself (within the lore of its universe) is composed of a clergy from a (fictional) Satanic church.
The lead singer is a Satanic pope named Papa Perpetua V (sometimes referred to simply as V). The long lineage of Papas fronting the band is played by the creator of Ghost, Tobias Forge. The only Papa he does not act as is Papa Nihil (aka Papa Emeritus Zero); he is ONLY his singing voice. The band is composed of talented masked clergy members dubbed the “Nameless Ghouls.” The stage is decorated and set as a Satanic chapel, and the shows are called “rituals.”
Photo Cred: Mikael Eriksson
Beyond the music and rituals, the lore of the band Ghost is expansive and clandestine, all wrapped in one. Always leaving fans excited for more stories featuring these beloved characters. Fans and audiences can follow along through Ghost’s YouTube channel. The story unfolds through short films labeled as “chapters,” select music videos, and the first Ghost movie, Rite Here Rite Now (2024). Also, the chapters are utilized to make announcements for the band as well.
There is even a comic series titled Sister Imperator that was published last year (2025) with Dark Horse Comics that goes more into the backstory of the titular character. We HIGHLY recommend checking out both the first movie, the YouTube channel, and the comics if you wish to fall into a Ghost rabbit hole with a story that will make you laugh and is filled with many macabre elements that will delight the spooky at heart.
[MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR] A DISCLAIMER!] Some story elements have been retconned by the creator, Tobias Forge, in a recent video interview with Diffus, “Tobias Forge From Ghost Reacts To All Characters Of The Clergy” (March 8, 2025). To help YOU be prepared for the upcoming film, here is an updated breakdown of the current cast of characters who haunt the world of Ghost. Also, SPOILERS AHEAD! So if you would like to watch or read the lore before reading on, now is the time.
Papa Nihil (AKA PAPA EMERITUS ZERO)
He was the frontman of the band Ghost in the ’60s. His album Seven Inches of Satanic Panic (released in 2019) features the hit song Mary On A Cross. Also, another one of his songs, The Future Is A Foreign Land, premiered in the first Ghost movie, Rite Here Rite Now.
He is the eldest sibling of Marika Psaltarian, Papas I, II, and III (the former lead singers for the band). With Sister Imperator, he fathered twin sons, Frater Imperator (AKA Copia) and Papa Perpetua V. He would tour with the band during Papa Emeritus IV’s reign and play saxophone during the number Miasma. During his performance on March 3, 2020, he passed away, ushering Copia to become Papa. They still wheel his corpse out on tour, reviving him to perform the saxophone, then he dies again. He currently hangs around the ministry and on the road as a ghost.
(Photo Cred: Ghost Official YouTube Channel)
Sister Imperator
The fearsome former representative of the clergy, a woman of many talents, seeker of vengeance, and mother to Frater Imperator and Papa Perpetua V. She is the driving force of Ghost, from ushering Papas into power to promoting the latest news for the band. Music is one of her greatest passions and through Ghost her mission is to promote the message of, “we needed people to know there was freedom to be found, a way to feel wild and joyous without the false promises of the church.” [Sister Imperator #3, 2025. Created by Tobias Forge & Script Written by Corinna Bechko.]
Before working on the “Ghost Project,” she led a life of vengeance bringing evil men to justice and protecting women. She found family with Nihil, Marika, and their circus troupe in Eastern Europe. She also fell in love with Nihil during her time in the Cirque Du Celeste. While helping Nihil rise to fame with the band Ghost in the ’60s, she became pregnant with twin boys whom she gave up to Marika to raise. She continued her work in pursuing vengeance and the "Ghost project".
In the movie, Rite Here Rite Now, she passes away from an illness and reveals her relationship to Copia and that he has a twin brother. But death cannot keep her down, her ghost lingers around, continuing to guide Copia in his new role.
Photo Cred: Ghost Official YouTube Channel
Frater Imperator (AKA Cardi C, AKA Cardinal Copia, AKA Papa Emeritus IV)
A man of many titles and the former frontman of the band Ghost. Frater Imperator is the current head of the ministry and the fraternal twin brother to the current lead singer Papa Perpetua V (whom he has never met and just learned about in the events of the first movie). But he wasn’t always Frater, we were first introduced to him when he was Cardinal Copia. Breaking the tradition of the Papas, he became the lead singer in 2018 with his album Prequelle. Then he rose into power as Papa Emeritus IV on March 3, 2020. His final appearance as Papa was in the first Ghost movie, Rite Here Rite Now, when his mother passed away, and he became her successor and new head of the ministry, Frater Imperator.
(Photo Cred: Rite Here Rite Now, 2025)
Mr. Psaltarian
A senior member of the clergy, man of wisdom, and harbinger of doom. He helps at the ministry and the clergy, including making major decisions. He is also the man who raised Copia. Mr. Psaltarian is still very much a clandestine character to us, but beloved within the clergy.
(Photo Cred: Ghost Official YouTube Channel)
Marika Psaltarian
An upper member of the clergy, chosen sister to Sister Imperator, biological sister to Papa Nihil, and aunt to Copia and Papa Perpetua V. Per the story in the comics, she used to work at Cirque Du Celeste in Eastern Europe with her siblings. That is where she and Imperator met. Not only does she assist Copia (whom she lovingly calls Cardi) in the move to the new ministry, but she raised him when Sister Imperator gave him up to her as a baby. She is the biological aunt to both Copia and Papa Perpetua V.
(Marika With Sister Imperator Photo Cred: Ghost Official YouTube Channel)
Judith
One of the newest members of the clergy arriving at the ministry in “Chapter 20: Arrival Of A Secret Agent.” She works to promote the clandestine operation of the band Ghost through social media and reports to Marika Psaltarian. She even paints a portrait of Cardi C.
(Photo Cred: Ghost Official YouTube Channel)
Papa Perpetua V (AKA V)
Current frontman of the band Ghost and fraternal twin to Copia. The discovery of his relationship to Copia was only recently revealed in the first Ghost film, Rite Here Rite Now. When Copia was promoted to Frater Imperator, V rose to power as Papa. He toured in the “Skeletour” and unleashed the album Skeleta (2025). Not much backstory or many chapters have been released featuring V, but look forward to seeing his story unfold during his current reign.
(Photo Cred: Ghost Official YouTube Channel)
What’s The Latest In The Ghost Story?
In the most recent Ghost chapters (Chapters 20–25) that take place after the events of the first movie Rite Here Rite Now on YouTube, Copia is unhappy in his new role as Frater Imperator and running the new ministry location. He misses performing and helming the band. Disdain grows for his brother, Papa V. Mr. Psaltarian mentions that there is a spot in the schedule for them to meet in December 2026, that is a time we should keep our eyes peeled for. His mother’s ghost is around to help and encourage him to continue his role in the ministry. His feelings in regards to V turn into curiosity as Sister Imperator relays that Papa is indeed curious about him and would like to meet him. Copia decides he wants to go on a little vacation after months of work. When he leaves the ministry, it is insinuated that a truck hits him off camera and blood splatters.
What Are Our Premonitions For The New Movie?
We are DYING to know the fate of our beloved Cardi C. In the past, when a character suffers a tragedy (like Sister’s car accident and Nihil’s death), sometimes they return with a new look or as a literal ghost. But unfortunately, in the case of Papas I, II, and III’s deaths, they have remained dead, with their bodies wheeled out to be displayed for VIP concertgoers in the “Veneration Of Relics.” Based on the first movie, Rite Here Rite Now, we predict this upcoming film will also be a concert film from the most recent tour, “The Skeletour.” Ghost has a no-phones rule for their shows that requires concertgoers to lock their phones in a bag provided by the venue. The concert films allow fans to relive or experience the excitement and thrill of the show in high definition with story elements woven in. We are waiting with bated breath for the trailer. But for now, we are keeping our eyes peeled, rocking out to the albums on repeat, and preparing our “ritual-ready” outfit to see the movie in. Here is what I wore for Rite Here Rite Now.
(Photo Cred: Timothy Dennison)
Please let us know what your theories and hopes are for the new movie in the comments or on our socials! Also, what is YOUR favorite Ghost song or Papa?
For this “Satanized” author, my current favorite songs on repeat are Kaisarion (Live at the Forum/2023) from Rite Here Rite Now and Peacefield from the latest album Skeleta.
And my favorite Papa will always be Papa Emeritus III (AKA Terzo). He is THE PAPA that got me into Ghost and the first Papa I have seen live. I will never forget how magical it was to see Terzo take the stage with a bang, beginning the show with Square Hammer during Haunt Season 2016.
(Photo Cred: The Band Ghost)
Thank you for joining me on this journey into the world of Ghost in anticipation of the new film. We hope this article caught you up on all the lore and prepared you for the unfolding story to come. This author wishes you a wonderfully spooky SUMMERWEEN!