In a candid conversation featured in the latest cover story for U.K.’s Kerrang! magazine, Ghost mastermind Tobias Forge has shed light on his decision to step away from extensive touring following the monumental "Skeletour," which served as the live extension of the band’s critically acclaimed 2025 album, "Skeletær." Forge articulated a profound need for creative recalibration, explaining that the overwhelming responsibility of a global touring enterprise, coupled with a lack of immediate artistic direction, necessitated a pause. "There’s a lot of people depending on you, let alone all these people buying tickets," Forge stated, reflecting on the immense pressure that has historically fueled his creative output. "For most of my career, I’ve been very triggered by that, in a positive way. But now, with a lack of a clear direction of where to go, I don’t want to have that responsibility on my shoulder. I can carry that when I’m there, but when I’m not there, it’s too tiresome."
This period of introspection follows an exceptionally demanding schedule for the theatrical rock outfit. Forge revealed that he is "exhausted" after the conclusion of the "Skeletour" in February 2026. This extensive global trek encompassed an impressive 70 shows spanning Europe, North America, and Mexico, solidifying Ghost’s reputation as a formidable live act. The tour’s initial European leg commenced in April and May of 2025, shortly after the release of "Skeletær." This was followed by a North American run from July to September 2025, and a subsequent second North American leg in January and February of 2026, underscoring the band’s commitment to engaging with their international fanbase.
Forge described the "Skeletour" as a culmination of their artistic efforts, drawing a poignant analogy to significant life events. "It was pretty much as close as you can get," he told Kerrang!. "When you’re done with the big wedding, you’re not gonna get married again immediately after. I don’t want to call it a bookend, but it serves as a great finale. I feel like, ‘If this is it, I’m pretty pleased. This is a fucking great repertoire, great band, they sound phenomenal.’ We managed to do this awesome show most of the nights, and I couldn’t be happier." This sentiment suggests a deep satisfaction with the band’s current artistic standing and performance capabilities, while simultaneously acknowledging the natural ebb and flow of a creative cycle.
A Creative Hiatus: Recharging and Exploring New Avenues
The current hiatus for Ghost is not merely a period of rest but an active phase of personal and artistic exploration for Tobias Forge. He expressed enjoyment in dedicating time to non-Ghost-related projects, a departure from the relentless cycle of album creation, touring, and immediate return to the studio that has characterized much of his career. This intentional break allows him to work without the "dictated" rhythm of the music industry, fostering a more organic and self-driven creative process.
Forge admitted that the impetus for this break arose when, for the first time, he reached the end of a tour without a clear vision for the band’s next steps. "Everything was great up until the moment when I was sort of eyeing the end of a tour and not knowing for the first time in our career what to do next," he confessed. This uncertainty served as a catalyst for his decision to step back. "And that was kind of the get-the-fuck-out-of-Dodge card, which is: I’m not gonna just go back to make an album or force myself to make an album for no reason. I need to want to make a record. I need to have something to say."
He elaborated on the intrinsic motivation behind his past work, emphasizing that previous albums were born from genuine inspiration and purpose, rather than external pressures. "Every other record has been very inspired and there’s been a clear thought, there’s been a purpose," Forge explained. "And that was completely generated by my passion to do so – it was never contractual fulfilment or whatever. It was nothing like that. And this time around it was just like, ‘I don’t have an idea.’ I just want to do other things and it doesn’t really mean anything other than that, but it also means that, no, we don’t have anything in the books, and yeah, it’s just a normal hiatus." This candid admission highlights a commitment to artistic integrity, prioritizing genuine creative impulse over commercial obligation.
"2 Big To Rig": A Cinematic Farewell to the "Skeletour"
Coinciding with this period of reflection, Ghost has released their second cinematic collaboration with Trafalgar Releasing, titled "2 Big To Rig." This feature film captures the electrifying live energy of Ghost’s two sold-out performances at Mexico City’s Palacio De Los Deportes, recorded on 16mm film in September 2025. The film aims to transport viewers into the heart of these "darkly magical nights," immersing them in the experience of nearly 40,000 fans.
Distinct from their 2024 film, "Rite Here Rite Now," "2 Big To Rig" focuses exclusively on the live spectacle of Ghost. It intersperses concert footage with behind-the-scenes glimpses of the dedicated crew who bring the band’s elaborate theatrical vision to life each night. The film also features the sole professional-quality footage of the mesmerizing frontman Papa V Perpetua and his ensemble of Nameless Ghouls during their entirely "phone-free" tour.
The creation of "2 Big To Rig" was motivated by a desire to extend the "Skeletour" experience to a global audience, particularly in regions where staging such an elaborate production was logistically unfeasible. It also serves as a memento for the fans who attended the Mexico City shows, including those who had initially secured tickets for one of three planned dates that were ultimately reduced to two due to Forge’s illness following the first night.
A Detailed Timeline of the "Skeletour" and "Skeletær" Era
The "Skeletour" and its preceding album release marked a significant chapter for Ghost, characterized by extensive global touring and chart success. Understanding the chronological flow of these events provides valuable context for Forge’s current hiatus.
Album Release and Chart Performance:
- May 2025: Ghost’s latest album, "Skeletær," achieved a monumental milestone by debuting at the number one position on the Billboard 200 chart. The LP garnered 86,000 equivalent album units in the United States during its first week of release. A substantial 89% of this figure, translating to 77,000 units, comprised traditional album sales, with vinyl purchases alone exceeding 44,000 copies. This achievement was particularly noteworthy, as "Skeletær" became the first hard rock album to ascend to the number one spot on the Billboard 200 since AC/DC’s "Power Up" in 2020, signaling a strong resurgence in the genre’s commercial appeal.
- Pre-Album Release: The music video for "Satanized," the LP’s lead single, introduced the character of Papa V Perpetua, who would subsequently front Ghost for their 2025 and 2026 touring cycles. This marked the continuation of Forge’s established tradition of adopting new personas for each album cycle, typically as part of the lineage stemming from the character Papa Emeritus.
"Skeletour" World Tour:
- April 15, 2025 – May 24, 2025: The European leg of Ghost’s 2025 world tour commenced in Manchester, United Kingdom, and concluded in Oslo, Norway. This leg directly followed the album’s release, allowing fans to experience the new material live in concert.
- July 9, 2025 – August 16, 2025: The North American leg of the 2025 tour launched in Baltimore, Maryland, and wrapped up in Houston, Texas, further expanding the band’s reach across the continent.
- January 21, 2026 – February 23, 2026: The 2026 North American leg of the "Skeletour" world tour kicked off on January 21 at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, and concluded on February 23 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. This extended run solidified the tour’s global presence and underscored the band’s commitment to their North American fanbase.
- September 2025: The band played two sold-out shows at Mexico City’s Palacio De Los Deportes, which were later immortalized in the film "2 Big To Rig."
The Broader Implications of Ghost’s Creative Pause
Tobias Forge’s decision to take a hiatus from touring, while not unprecedented in the music industry, carries significant implications for Ghost’s fanbase and the broader landscape of theatrical rock. The band has cultivated a devoted following through their consistent output of high-quality music and meticulously crafted live performances. A prolonged absence from the road could potentially lead to a period of anticipation and heightened demand for their return.
From an artistic standpoint, this pause is crucial for preventing creative burnout. The cyclical nature of album releases followed immediately by extensive touring can be taxing, potentially leading to a dilution of artistic vision if not managed effectively. Forge’s proactive approach, prioritizing his creative well-being and the desire to have something meaningful to express, suggests a commitment to the long-term artistic integrity of Ghost. This approach is often lauded by critics and fans alike, as it tends to result in more inspired and impactful subsequent works.
The success of "Skeletær" and the "Skeletour" have positioned Ghost at a creative and commercial peak. By stepping back now, Forge is allowing that momentum to settle, giving himself the space to explore new ideas and inspirations without the immediate pressure of delivering another album or tour. This strategic pause could lead to a period of renewed creativity, potentially resulting in an even more ambitious and compelling future for the band. The release of "2 Big To Rig" serves as a timely reminder of their current prowess while the band embarks on this introspective phase, offering fans a substantial piece of Ghost’s recent history to engage with during their absence. The industry will undoubtedly be watching to see how this period of creative rejuvenation influences Ghost’s next chapter.
