r/U2Band • u/DanZigs • 1d ago

GSOE video and Ghost

Anyone else immediately think that U2 looked like they were dressed up very similar to the band Ghost in the GSOE video? Edge, Adam and Larry are wearing masks very similar to the Namesless Ghouls in the Skeleta tour era and Bono with the top hat and mask covering his eyes looks pretty similar to some of pictures of Papa V.

It’s particularly interesting because I always thought that one of the images of Papa IV from the Rite Here Rite Now video, where he’s wearing a gold blazer and staring at himself in mirror backstage reminded me of Mephisto from the Zoo TV video.

I wonder if their costume artists have done this on purpose.

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u/mancapturescolour 1d ago edited 1d ago

The video is meant to depict the band members as a religious cult ("Have we made God feel like a stranger here?").

I don't know much about Ghost (despite being Swedish😅), but perhaps they're also a kind of satire of religion, by blending the cult with the occult?

So that could be the connective tissue here. I know Tobias Forge has acknowledged that U2 have inspired him.

Of course, Macphisto, in his original form was inspired by Elvis Presley so it could be that Forge looked to Elvis directly.

https://www.loudersound.com/news/ghost-covers-by-rush-u2-misfits-motorhead-phantomime

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u/DanZigs 1d ago

Ghost has become one of my favourite bands. Their Skeleta tour was “The Greatest Show on Earth” last year. Hopefully, U2 will take that title back next year.

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u/tazzman25 1d ago

Nice username. :) Ghost is a great band and Tobias onstage presence at times reminds me a bit of MacPhisto.

But I think this music video was more to do with Anton and what he wanted to see. His videos can have a very specific style and look and costumes figure into them often.

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u/Unique-Risk-9180 1d ago

They’re also wearing beards except Bono… like an Irish ZZ Top.

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u/mancapturescolour 1d ago edited 1d ago

Am I the only one thinking of Dave Letterman and not ZZ Top? 🤣

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u/tazzman25 1d ago

Larry looked like Billy Gibbons but yes, The Edge and Adam reminded me of Dave.

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u/BulldogMikeLodi 1d ago

Nah, U2 wouldn’t “imitate” a band like Ghost. Bono has been on record saying he think hard rock and metal are stupid music.

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u/DanZigs 1d ago

They have become more “arena rock” than metal

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u/BulldogMikeLodi 1d ago

This happens in every fan group, people trying to connect their favorite things together by force. LOL. Somehow, I doubt that U2 is a big fan of Ghost as you are.

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u/Unique-Risk-9180 1d ago

I agree with him.