Swedish rock band Ghost is gearing up for a new album release and headlining U.S. tour this spring. The Grammy Award-winning group has recently announced their fourth record, Prequelle, due out on June 1, and will be making three stops across Tennessee in support of the new work. Ghost will be performing at Chattanooga’s Tivoli Theater on May 10.Ghost, officially formed in 2006 in Linköping, Sweden, has always owned an element of mystery. “This is not a normal band,” says Tobias Forge. If you’ve seen the gruesome looking group before, you know that’s no understatement.For anyone not familiar with them, here’s a quick overview of what to imagine. Five masked figures, cloaked in dark robes and representing the five elements – fire, water, wind, earth, and ether – provide the musical foundation for the heavy-hitting metal band.Each individual, completely covered in black robes and matching devil masks, is simply referred to as one of the “nameless ghouls,” and can only be identified by their respective alchemical symbol. These are the incredibly talented musicians that provide the backdrop to the experience that is a Ghost performance.At the helm of the ship, on vocal duties, stands a demonic Pope-like figure shrouded in detailed vestments similar to that of a Catholic priest. While this lead man has been replaced during various stages of the band’s progression, he always is referred to by name and holds a hierarchal pseudo-religious title. Over the years Ghost has been led by several characters – Papa Emeritus, Papa Emeritus II, Papa Emeritus III, and just recently Cardinal Copia.“Imagine a theater show… but with a cool record you can buy afterwards,” comments Forge during a phone interview with Chattanogan.com. The Swedish metal man has a long history of metal fame with previous bands, but his association with this band is different. For the majority of the band’s existence he has been well hidden from the spotlight. It wasn’t until last year that he was officially identified as the man behind the band, and behind the masks of all the frontmen that took the stage to lead the ghouls in their rituals.When speaking of the formation of Ghost and the anonymity surrounding the members, he emphatically claims that the “music came first.” This is not your average group of fame-seeking rockers. In fact, Forge says “you weren’t focusing on the people.” Instead, he was able to create a world surrounding the music, an experience for not only the ears, but the rest of the senses as well. “I really wanted Ghost to paint a picture that was rich; for the listener and spectator to transform themselves into this world.”And transformed you are. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Ghost perform live on multiple occasions. Their live sets are shows in themselves, with clouds of incense and stained glass windows, and elaborate costumes that transform any arena or stage.While it was difficult at times to remain anonymous, it was always a greater part of the picture for the band so appropriately named Ghost. Forge didn’t want the image of specific people to taint his work or the experience of the art. “It’s theater,” he says in an easy-going and friendly tone. “In the social media age, there’s a constant need for exposure. That works for a lot of people, but I think it’s really bad… overall I think it’s a bad thing for mankind.” With that mindset he knew that he didn’t want a normal band with identifiable members and fame.During our conversation, Forge drew the perfect analogy for what he felt was the meaning behind Ghost. Similarly to the fanfare that surrounds the fictional world and characters of Star Wars, Ghost is intended to create a world of it’s own. While George Lucas is the creator of that world, he’s also a separate entity that is separated from the world he created. No one looks at the Millennium Falcon, and pictures Lucas, Forge notes. Likewise, no one should see Ghost and think of Forge. He wants the world of Ghost to stand independent of himself, the creator behind the imagery.As Ghost takes off across the states on this spring tour, the nameless ghouls will be under the call of their newest leader, Cardinal Copia. Forge delved into his created theatrical world to describe his newest character and his future with the ghouls.“Cardinal Copia has been given the toastmaster role. He’s leading under supervision, Forge explains. “Papa Nil is the master and Cardinal Copia is the apprentice.” It will be during this tour, he notes, that the future of Cardinal Copia’s career hangs. If he does well, Forge hints, then Copia could become a Papa Emeritus himself and have a more permanent position in the band.“Rats,” the first single off the latest album, serves as the new tour’s inspiration. The plague-referenced imagery of the Middle Ages is an on-going theme for the Rats On The Road Tour. The twenty-stop experience will kickoff May 5 in Riverside, California.Ghost US Tour DatesMay 05, 2018 - Riverside, CA - RMAMay 06, 2018 - Tucson, AZ - Tucson Music HallMay 08, 2018 - Houston, TX - ReventionMay 10, 2018 - Chattanooga, TN - TivoliMay 11, 2018 - Cincinnati, OH - The Taft TheatreMay 12, 2018 - Detroit, MI - The FillmoreMay 13, 2018 - Columbus, OH - Express LiveMay 15, 2018 - Port Chester, NY - The Capitol TheatreMay 16, 2018 - Syracuse, NY - Crouse Hinds TheaterMay 18, 2018 - Pittsburgh, PA - Benedum CenterMay 19, 2018 - Philadelphia, PA - WMMR BBQMay 20, 2018 - Washington, DC - Warner TheatreMay 22, 2018 - Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe AuditoriumMay 23, 2018 - Nashville, TN - Tennessee PACMay 25, 2018 - St. Louis, MO - Peabody Opera HouseMay 26, 2018 - Pryor, OK - RocklahomaMay 27, 2018 - Memphis, TN - Cannon CenterMay 29, 2018 - Ft. Wayne, IN - The Clyde TheaterMay 31, 2018 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside TheaterJune 01, 2018 - St. Paul, MN - The Palace Theater