Papa V Perpetua Joins Black Sabbath at Villa Park 🤘

What’s occurring, mun? Rock’s most theatrical frontman, Ghost’s Tobias Forge, has been waxing lyrical about the godfather of heavy bass riffs himself – Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath. And not just in passing either – Forge went all out, calling Geezer’s songwriting “a huge inspiration” to both him personally and the world of Ghost’s cathedral-sized metal.

And if that wasn’t tasty enough, Tobias is dusting off the robes and skull paint of Papa Emeritus V Perpetua to take part in Sabbath’s almighty homecoming blowout at Villa Park, Birmingham. That’s right – the Pope of Metal and the Princes of Darkness in the same temple of football and riffs. Proper job! 🏟️🔥


Tobias Forge on Geezer Butler ✍️

Forge didn’t just big up the bass legend – he broke down why Geezer is one of the greatest lyricists and riff architects in the game:

  • Geezer’s mix of doom, mysticism, and working-class grit gave Sabbath their unique bite.
  • His basslines weren’t just low-end filler – they drove the songs (looking at you, “N.I.B.” and “War Pigs”).
  • His ability to make the darkness poetic directly influenced Ghost’s blend of sinister theatrics and catchy choruses.

Forge summed it up with a grin:

“Without Geezer, I don’t think heavy metal would have its spine. He wrote words and basslines that made you feel the apocalypse but also made you want to dance. That’s something I’ve always carried with me.”

Diolch, Tobias – that’s the kind of fanboy energy we live for. 🙌


Papa V Meets The Godfathers of Doom 🖤

So what’s going down at Villa Park? Sabbath’s long-rumoured celebration gig is already stacked with legends, but Tobias stepping in as Papa V Perpetua makes it biblical. Expect:

  • A theatrical mash-up of Ghost’s gothic showmanship with Sabbath’s molten riffs.
  • The stage looking like a cathedral fell onto a football pitch.
  • A bass duel? Geezer vs Tobias’s ghoulish low-end crew? We can dream!

If “He Is” meets “Children of the Grave” in one set, we might just ascend straight to riff heaven.


Why This Matters 🤘

This isn’t just another guest spot. It’s Sabbath’s influence feeding straight into the next generation of arena-sized rock theatre. Forge has always nodded to the masters of metal, but now he’s literally sharing the altar with them. For fans? That’s history in real time.


Final Thoughts 🎤

From Brummie steelworks to Swedish satanic pop-metal, Geezer’s influence runs deep. Tobias Forge knows it, Sabbath know it, and now the whole of Villa Park is about to feel it rumbling through their bones.

Lush stuff. Count us in the pit (or pew). 🕍⚡