A concert or an exorcism? How Ghost possesed Madison Square Garden!

My fellow Ghosties! I am writing this to share great news. I have had the opportunity to attend Ghost's Madison Square Garden ritual on July 22nd, 2025. As I'm still experiencing the bouts of PCD (Post-Concert Depression), I think discussing my experiences with my first ever Ghost ritual at the Madison Square Garden will alleviate my deadly affliction.

Now first things first—I live in New Jersey, so for us Jerseyans, the easiest way to get into New York City is through NJ Transit. You can hop on a train that goes to New York Penn Station, Princeton NJ for example, and you'd get there in roughly half an hour. On the train ride, my heart soared to newfound heights when I saw others wearing Ghost shirts of different designs—one fan even had a Papa IV plushie as well as multiple Ghost-themed bracelets. As the train passed through the next few stations underneath the warm glow of the evening sun, I mentally sifted through the songs that I had been playing on repeat for the Skeletour setlist. Monstrance Clock definitely had me in a chokehold for more than a week, but a part of me thought that for the US leg of the tour, the band would change things up.

Photo credit: YourFavGhestie on X

Arriving at New York Penn Station, I thought that the train ride was like a beehive full of Ghost-themed imagery. But the station? Especially after arriving at the entrance of the iconic Madison Square Garden? Think of a colossal rat army where everyone was on the square, on the level, and ready to swear rite here, rite now before the devil. Ghost shirts on full display? Yes. People wearing face paint, bearing bracelets to trade and give away, nun costumes, and dressed in all black? Definitely. Jesus sightings—that's the equivalent of encountering the Jersey Devil? Absolutely. Everywhere I looked, a sense of excitement was in the air; it didn't need to be screamed into the air to sense it. Fans arriving in droves to bear witness to the presence of Papa V to deliver a ritual unlike any before. What would his brother think? Would he be proud? Would he be psalty? Perhaps secretly admit under his breath that he would want to be on stage with his twin brother?

Leading up to the ritual, there was the obvious security checkpoint to deal with; which, from what I've experienced, was relatively speedy combined with the checkpoint where we were given pouches to seal our phones in. There was a merch table with a long line that was selling not just shirts, but booty shorts (I'd love some), a standard black Skeletá vinyl record, as well as plushies! Plus something exclusive from there.

But the second best part, without a doubt, was the arena itself. Not only was it air conditioned—thank goodness—but it was spacious. With multiple levels leading from the top down to the very pit at the bottom in front of the darkness-covered stage, I couldn't tell you the exact number of people that claimed their spots. If anything, the Madison Square Garden ritual was sold out. Combined with the same Jesus sightings in the crowd and the appearance of Vanessa from Ghoulbangers Ball, the air was teeming with excitement and anticipation.

The lights cut out.

Cheers fill the air as Papa V Perpetua appears on the arena's screens as the first chords of Peacefield burst into the scene. Immediately I stood up and my brain, seared with the lyrics, spewed out of my mouth with so much energy and passion, I couldn't believe it. Everyone else followed suit; if only you could get a fly's point-of-perspective from a wall to witness the entire arena. The Ghesties at the top levels down to the very pit not only singing, but dancing feverishly to every song in the setlist. Lachryma, Spirit, Per Aspera Ad Inferi, Faith, Majesty, The Future Is A Foreign Land, Devil Church, Cirice, DATHOML, Satanized, Satan Prayer, Umbra, Year Zero, He Is, Rats, Kiss The Go-Goat, Mummy Dust, Monstrance Clock, Mary On A Cross, Dance Macabre, and finally, the iconic Square Hammer.

The visuals of the stage in different songs such as the devils in Monstrance Clock, the ecstatic cheers, alongside the appearance of a bountiful amount of Mummy Dust dollars that sadly didn't fly upwards to the top levels where I was? In my heart, I can confirm that I earned those dollars. But I firmly believe that the restriction of phones during the performance made things much more immersive, and I can feel my soul merging with all the other Ghost fans in the ritual to worship the new Papa to bless our dear souls. But another thing that stood out especially was Tobias Forge giving respect and honor to Ozzy Osbourne, who sadly passed away earlier that day. Even some Ghost fans attending the ritual wore shirts honoring the Prince of Darkness—which I deeply respected.

My first ever ritual at the Madison Square Garden was a breathtaking experience unlike any other. A time, where I can forget about anything else and focus on the one thing that mattered: the square, the level, and knowing that I am ready to swear, rite here rite now, before the one and only, Papa V Perpetua. And more rituals will follow suit! That I can confirm for sure. That being said, I look forward to the next time Ghost arrives in New York City—or perhaps, New Jersey? Only time will tell.Written by D.T. Eugene