I saw a couple people ask about the band’s lore. While not quite to GWAR levels, Ghost definitely seems to have built up some kind of backstory, with bits of information floating around from interviews and such. How “canon” any of these are is debatable, but they might be fun for fanfic writers and the curious. All sources are linked/listed if you want to check out the full interview/video/etc.
Obviously, this is all just from the interviews and such that I’ve seen, so feel free to add anything I’ve missed.
Was fired because the Clergy “wanted someone with clear leadership skills.”
Became evil and miserable due to how harshly the world treated him. (Source) (Source)
Was a member of the ministry when the Clergy were seeking an in-house replacement for Papa I.
Knew from the beginning that his position wasn’t permanent and wasn’t too happy about it.
Apparently did not get along well with the Ghouls, and didn’t recognize them as equals. He has also released attack dogs on one of them on at least one occasion.
Barely involved himself with the band’s creative process and image, and mostly signed up for the women, because he’s a rock fan, and to spread the word of Satan. (Source) (Source)
Has one of the Clergy’s basements as his current address, but his true current whereabouts since Papa III succeeded him are unknown (Decibel, Sept. 2015).
Was fired for being old and washed up.
Has something weird going on in his pants. It vibrates and has rotating glands.
Is Papa II’s three-months-younger half-brother from a different mom (Decibel, Sept. 2015).
One of the Ghouls speculated that his mother was kinder than II’s.
Gets along with the Ghouls much better than his predecessor, but still travels alone and doesn’t spend time with them after shows.
That last part might be because he’s occupied with his harem.
Will possibly be the father of Papa II and III, and also possibly an evil bastard (Decibel, Sept. 2015).
Is located “In the deepest crypts of Linkoeping, Sweden.”
Hold meetings led by Sister Imperator, who, despite her harsh treatment of the Ghouls, does believe they are capable of achieving the Clergy’s goals and seems to be proud of the band’s music.
Said goals include opening churches, toppling governments, and converting world leaders.
Consider the band’s Grammy and legion of fans to be trivial for not creating true change.
Has the authority to decide the band’s image and fire the Papas.
Is in charge of disciplining the Ghouls.
Doesn’t allow its members to associate with those outside the fraternity.
Gives special privileges to the Papas, such as traveling alone. (Decibel, Sept. 2015).
Has several projects besides the band, all dedicated to spreading knowledge throughout the world as a sort of “Anti-Flat Earth Society” (Decibel, Sept. 2015).
Have been pursued by authorities for spreading their message.
Have a secret ritual for taking care of the old Papas after they’ve been replaced.
Had those simple cloaks during the first couple eras because “the Clergy wouldn’t give us anything better. We had to earn it” (Decibel, Sept. 2015).
Went through an initiation ritual in which they were “hoodwinked and bound” in front of Sister Imperator, made to lie down in coffins with the lids closed, and had to lie “still and cold in the darkness” (?) which somehow caused Sister Imperator’s nails to fall off (!).
Travel around with a harem of about a dozen people, possibly not just women.
Get very little respect, and are considered to be on the same level of the hierarchy as the Clergy’s janitor.
Never take off their masks, and even had replicas of their outfits made so they can shower with them on.
Yes, that rule even applies when they’re having sex; “Socks and mask.”
Are basically the employees of a company, with the Papas being “a string of people coming through and acting as the face of the company” (Decibel, Sept. 2015).
Despite the above, they are also expected to be able to lead as Papa’s apostles.
Didn’t actually undergo any lineup changes, and consider the very idea a “vicious” rumor (Decibel, Sept. 2015)
Adding to the above, the different playing styles of certain members have been attributed to Papa III’s influence on their live shows. Also, it made Earth shrink for some reason (Decibel, Sept. 2015).