The Future Is Rite Here, Rite Now
Album Review: Rite Here Rite Now (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Ghost
CONTIBUTING AUTHOR Hannah
A month after Swedish doom metal project Ghost premiered their concert film Rite Here, Rite Now on the big screen, the original soundtrack was released to the wider world. The occult-rock powerhouse presents an offering of seventeen live songs, recorded live during two unforgettable nights at Los Angeles’s Kia Forum. Highlights of the performance include the live debuts of sarcastic reggaeton-turned-metal “Twenties” and an elegant, acoustic version of Roky Erickson cover “If You Have Ghosts.” Rounding out the record is new release “The Future is a Foreign Land,” a politically-charged track that calls back to the 70s metal sound of internet smash-hit “Mary On A Cross.”
Tobias Forge, the mastermind behind Ghost, shines on the silver screen as the beloved Papa Emeritus IV, imploring the reverent concert goers to let the burdens of life be lifted, if only for the “short little moment” they are spending together. The Ghost project has always championed love and acceptance within the scene, and Forge wastes no time in reminding the audience to be kind to each other—of course, with his own twist:
“Now, remember, all y'all are different ages, different sizes, different experiences, so you need to be nice to each other now when you leave.
One more thing, you have to help each other. If anyone needs help, help them!
And a third thing, if you don't have someone to fuck with... you can go fuck yourself! Isn't that a bittersweet deal, Los Angeles?”
Punctuated by growls reminiscent of Forge’s time as Repugnant frontman Mary Goore, the soundtrack includes Ghost classics “Square Hammer,” “Cirice,” and “Dance Macabre.” Though, fan favorites “Year Zero,” and “Ritual” are notably absent, likely due to their presence on the live album Ceremony and Devotion. 2022’s award-winning Impera is featured heavily in the tracklist, with the instrumental “Imperium” transitioning into the electrifying, show-opening “Kaisarion.” Standout singles “Call Me Little Sunshine” is also featured, alongside “Watcher In The Sky,” in which Forge asks the rapt audience, “Do you believe that we can leave now, for a better place?”
Rite Here, Rite Now marks the first time in Ghost history that the band’s Nameless Ghouls are explicitly and officially named. Per Eriksson (Bloodbath, Katatonia) and Randy Moore (Lektron, SpiritWorld) are credited for live guitars alongside bassist Cosmo Sylvan. Hayden Scott (AWOLNATION, Paramore, Drag Talk) provides the drums as well as musical directing for the film. Ghoulettes Laura Scarborough, Mad Gallica and Olivia Morreale join Ghoul Jutty Taylor (Drag Talk) in supplying backing vocals, auxiliary percussion, and keys.
Sonically, Rite Here, Rite Now is a triumph, celebrating the band’s skyrocketing success over the years and showcasing the honed skills of Tobias Forge and his touring Nameless Ghouls. The soundtrack exemplifies the band’s delight in fearlessly subverting expectations within the metal genre. Though Ghost’s imagined future may still be foreign, the continued success of the satanic empire is undoubtedly assured as Forge sets the stage for what’s to come.
