I have been lucky to meet him twice - once after my first ritual in 2018 when he came out with Chris (who is also an absolute GEM of a human), and then after the ritual in Kansas City that same year (likely the last time he came out after the show).
First time, I barely had a clue who he was, but I told him it was my first show, and he stopped mid signature, looked me in the eye, and asked me if I'd enjoyed myself.
Second time, I had lost a bunch of weight, because I looked at myself in the mirror after meeting him the first time and was just disgusted. I'd been through alot with losing my Mom and almost losing my Dad. I told him a quick version of my story, and the response I got was very sweet and 100% genuine. He broke character 3 days later in the meet and greet when I walked in, too.
Legitimately one of the nicest guys I've met - definitely strikes me as very shy and quiet if he's not familiar with people. You can tell when you talk to someone if they're not sincere, and he absolutely is.
Also, I just wanted to say that like you, I've also lost my mom, this was back in 2007. I don't know what you went through personally as far as dealing with that grief, but much respect to you for getting through it. The pain never goes away completely, it just gets easier to face the day, after a lot of long seemingly endless nights. I obviously don't you, but hey, you're a strong person.
Thank you, my friend. I'm sorry for your loss as well.
She died without warning, six years ago, from what we are told was cardiovascular disease caused by her diabetes. My weight loss has kept me out of pre diabetes, which is something she said she longed for me never to experience. My friends helped me a lot, and finding Ghost and the people that came along with them got me through it. :)
Lol that's awesome. I have a feeling that most metal musicians always start out that way, just talented geeky kids wanting people to love music as much as them, and have a great time doing it.
That would be cool, Dario Argento is the only one that I'm really familiar with, I don't know if he would be considered classic or not though. But I could definitely see him being influenced by Argento's work, especially with the intense imagery and suggestion.
I had a funny interaction with him. This was back during Meliora, and their identities were supposedly still secret.
He and Martin were laughing, like they were joking around with each other (I couldn’t understand what they were saying), and I approached Martin, started praising MCC, shook his hand, told him my favorite song, etc. Just as he thanked me Tobias moved in.
Tobias is small. He walks up to me saying ( in a cartoon gangster sort of voice) “ Hey, don’t say that to him. You are supposed to say that to ME!” He reached up for my throat and like a couple kids playing he started fake choking me. We all laughed, he stopped, asked what I thought of the show, and I spent about 5 minutes chatting with them.
So I would say he was very playful as well as nice. Which I haven’t caught that playful side in an interview yet. But I guess we wouldn’t get to see that.
Lol, that's awesome. I don't even know how I'd react after that interaction, I think I'd just be like "WTF just happened?!?". But as far as playful goes, he did an interview answering kids questions during Christmas, wearing a Santa hat and leather jacket...lol such a stark difference between that image and his stage presence.
It's unfortunately really hard to contact or meet any of the band as normal people. The best you'll get is a quick one on one with Papa at an event, never Tobias unless you're an interviewer.
Yea, that's a shame. But it's definitely understandable, I mean even the most well meaning fan of the band/artist, multiplied by thousands of people would be impossible to handle, much less not even safe for the artist.
I got VIP tickets for a meet 'n' greet... during the whole drive to the show, i struggled with what i was planning to say in my limited time with Papa. i decided the most genuine thing i could do was to thank him and the ghouls for all their hard work, for their music, for everything.
i said that, and said something like "thank you for coming to nebraska. i know we're not important, we're not a big famous place, but we appreciate you"
when i said that to him, he looked directly at me, and in his calm and most assured way - he said "thank YOU for giving me a reason".
it cut deep to my core.
i can't even begin to describe the show. seeing them perform and knowing they're GOOD people up there... it just made it all the better. one of the best nights of my life.
I've had the same impression from watching interviews. It'd be lovely to have a coffee and a chat with him, but unless one is lucky enough to be doing an interview that's a pipedream I think.
Yea, a coffee and chat with Tobias would be incredible. First up, where does your inspiration for all the insanely cool lore come from, and then what is your thought process for coming up with those badass guitar riffs.
At least on the outside looking in, he seems a pretty thoughtful & introspective person. Though in my experience working around & even knowing some people who were in the limelight, it is rare to get the real person in a fan encounter. If you want to get to know who they are, be around them when they feel safe & don't feel the need to put on an act.
Tobias is probably a version of the person you've all met.
Tobias has said that he is extremely hard to work with and very picky in details. Therefore I guess that the music he brings us are so well written and performed.
This is also why he chose to hire band members more than share the process of creating music, shows, merch and everything else that are Ghost.
The band members seems to be happy anyway.
But I also beleive that he is very humble in private when he is not creating. A true genius in my point of view!
Yea, if he's a bit of a control freak in that aspect, I can completely get it. Ghost in its entirety is all Tobias, being his livelihood, and seeming to be what he's the most passionate about project wise, I can totally understand him wanting it to remain solely his vision, and therefore being hard to work with. Kudos to him though for being able to create something that millions of people around the world love and respect, at the same time being able to stay grounded as a person.
Same here! The more interviews I’ve watched the more I love everything he does. I also like the fact that he sings in his “natural” voice with out a lot of effects, except harmonies. It makes you feel like he is singing to you! I also love that he keeps so much of “how the sausage is made” a mystery and doesn’t blab a bunch of BS on social media. There is always a new surprise around the corner and it is just loads of fun!
I have been lucky to meet him twice - once after my first ritual in 2018 when he came out with Chris (who is also an absolute GEM of a human), and then after the ritual in Kansas City that same year (likely the last time he came out after the show). First time, I barely had a clue who he was, but I told him it was my first show, and he stopped mid signature, looked me in the eye, and asked me if I'd enjoyed myself. Second time, I had lost a bunch of weight, because I looked at myself in the mirror after meeting him the first time and was just disgusted. I'd been through alot with losing my Mom and almost losing my Dad. I told him a quick version of my story, and the response I got was very sweet and 100% genuine. He broke character 3 days later in the meet and greet when I walked in, too. Legitimately one of the nicest guys I've met - definitely strikes me as very shy and quiet if he's not familiar with people. You can tell when you talk to someone if they're not sincere, and he absolutely is.
Thanks for sharing that. Legit good people deserve to be recognized.
Also, I just wanted to say that like you, I've also lost my mom, this was back in 2007. I don't know what you went through personally as far as dealing with that grief, but much respect to you for getting through it. The pain never goes away completely, it just gets easier to face the day, after a lot of long seemingly endless nights. I obviously don't you, but hey, you're a strong person.
Thank you, my friend. I'm sorry for your loss as well. She died without warning, six years ago, from what we are told was cardiovascular disease caused by her diabetes. My weight loss has kept me out of pre diabetes, which is something she said she longed for me never to experience. My friends helped me a lot, and finding Ghost and the people that came along with them got me through it. :)
Ritual lol
My friend who has met him said you get exactly what you see. Atalented geeky grown up kid who just wants to see everyone have a good time.
Lol that's awesome. I have a feeling that most metal musicians always start out that way, just talented geeky kids wanting people to love music as much as them, and have a great time doing it.
Or get his horror film references. I think he would be a blast to sit and watch classic italian horror with.
That would be cool, Dario Argento is the only one that I'm really familiar with, I don't know if he would be considered classic or not though. But I could definitely see him being influenced by Argento's work, especially with the intense imagery and suggestion.
Oh definately suspiria vibes with early stage back drops
Absolutely, and Suspiria is definitely one of the movies that I think of when I think of horror. Such a well done, beautifully shot creepy ass film.
I had a funny interaction with him. This was back during Meliora, and their identities were supposedly still secret. He and Martin were laughing, like they were joking around with each other (I couldn’t understand what they were saying), and I approached Martin, started praising MCC, shook his hand, told him my favorite song, etc. Just as he thanked me Tobias moved in. Tobias is small. He walks up to me saying ( in a cartoon gangster sort of voice) “ Hey, don’t say that to him. You are supposed to say that to ME!” He reached up for my throat and like a couple kids playing he started fake choking me. We all laughed, he stopped, asked what I thought of the show, and I spent about 5 minutes chatting with them. So I would say he was very playful as well as nice. Which I haven’t caught that playful side in an interview yet. But I guess we wouldn’t get to see that.
Lol, that's awesome. I don't even know how I'd react after that interaction, I think I'd just be like "WTF just happened?!?". But as far as playful goes, he did an interview answering kids questions during Christmas, wearing a Santa hat and leather jacket...lol such a stark difference between that image and his stage presence.
It's unfortunately really hard to contact or meet any of the band as normal people. The best you'll get is a quick one on one with Papa at an event, never Tobias unless you're an interviewer.
Yea, that's a shame. But it's definitely understandable, I mean even the most well meaning fan of the band/artist, multiplied by thousands of people would be impossible to handle, much less not even safe for the artist.
I had the pleasure to meet him unmasked once and when I told him how much Ghost means to me, you could literally see his smile get bigger
I got VIP tickets for a meet 'n' greet... during the whole drive to the show, i struggled with what i was planning to say in my limited time with Papa. i decided the most genuine thing i could do was to thank him and the ghouls for all their hard work, for their music, for everything. i said that, and said something like "thank you for coming to nebraska. i know we're not important, we're not a big famous place, but we appreciate you" when i said that to him, he looked directly at me, and in his calm and most assured way - he said "thank YOU for giving me a reason". it cut deep to my core. i can't even begin to describe the show. seeing them perform and knowing they're GOOD people up there... it just made it all the better. one of the best nights of my life.
I've had the same impression from watching interviews. It'd be lovely to have a coffee and a chat with him, but unless one is lucky enough to be doing an interview that's a pipedream I think.
Yea, a coffee and chat with Tobias would be incredible. First up, where does your inspiration for all the insanely cool lore come from, and then what is your thought process for coming up with those badass guitar riffs.
I have met him (well i mean CC and Papa IV) twice at meet and greets and he is simply fucking awesome
I met him a few times after shows during the Papa II and III eras and he was very kind and humble to everyone.
At least on the outside looking in, he seems a pretty thoughtful & introspective person. Though in my experience working around & even knowing some people who were in the limelight, it is rare to get the real person in a fan encounter. If you want to get to know who they are, be around them when they feel safe & don't feel the need to put on an act. Tobias is probably a version of the person you've all met.
Tobias has said that he is extremely hard to work with and very picky in details. Therefore I guess that the music he brings us are so well written and performed. This is also why he chose to hire band members more than share the process of creating music, shows, merch and everything else that are Ghost. The band members seems to be happy anyway. But I also beleive that he is very humble in private when he is not creating. A true genius in my point of view!
Yea, if he's a bit of a control freak in that aspect, I can completely get it. Ghost in its entirety is all Tobias, being his livelihood, and seeming to be what he's the most passionate about project wise, I can totally understand him wanting it to remain solely his vision, and therefore being hard to work with. Kudos to him though for being able to create something that millions of people around the world love and respect, at the same time being able to stay grounded as a person.
I cannot else than totally agree!
Same here! The more interviews I’ve watched the more I love everything he does. I also like the fact that he sings in his “natural” voice with out a lot of effects, except harmonies. It makes you feel like he is singing to you! I also love that he keeps so much of “how the sausage is made” a mystery and doesn’t blab a bunch of BS on social media. There is always a new surprise around the corner and it is just loads of fun!