Ghost

The latest in a long line of successful and blasphemous metal bands to emerge from the Scandinavian nations of Northern Europe, tuneful hard rockers Ghost are following in the sonic footsteps of influential Danish outfit Mercyful Fate with it's costumed theatrics and melodic riffs.

Founded in 2006, the group first rose to global fame with release of their debut album Opus Eponymous in 2012. Marrying the occult riff-rock of Blue Öyster Cult and Black Sabbath with Mercyful Fate's satanic lyrical psalms to Lucifer (sometimes delivered in Latin), Ghost's outlandish effort for Rise Above Records offered up some of the most hook-laden heavy rock made in recent memory.

Fronted by skull-painted, demonic anti-Pope Papa Emeritus and filled out by a crew of faceless, black-robed musician disciples (referred to simply as "Nameless Ghouls"), Ghost's striking live presentation made the group one of the fastest-rising metal bands of the past decade.

The group graduated quickly from headlining clubs and supporting bands like Mastodon, Opeth and Iron Maiden to becoming a festival favorite and topping the bill for its own theater tours. The band would follow up it's first effort with their well-received sophomore album Infestissumam and an EP of cover songs produced by Dave Grohl entitled If You Have Ghost that featured versions of tunes by Roky Erickson, Depeche Mode and fellow Swedes ABBA).

The group recently introduced the band's third new lead singer (Papa Emeritus III), a futuristic new look for the Nameless Ghouls before releasing another celebrated salvo of unholy, hook-heavy rock entitled Meloria. Ghost brings its current "Black to the Future Tour" to the Warfield in San Francisco Friday night. British psych band Purson opens the show.

Ghost
Friday, Oct. 23, 8 p.m. $27.50-$38
The Warfield