Ghost B.C. Perform Live Ritual for New York City Congregation

Every time Ghost (Ghost B.C.) return to New York City, they come back bigger and better. With a longer set, greater theatrics and tactics to touch all five senses, Ghost descended upon the Big Apple for the first time this year, performing to a packed crowd at Manhattan's Best Buy Theater.

Just three years after Ghost played to a small crowd in the basement of New York City's Webster Hall, the ghouls have found themselves headlining a venue with a capacity of over 2000 people. Ghost didn't just squeak in either. The theater was so densely packed that it was a covert mission to squeeze your way down the steps separating the venue's seating area and the floor. So make no mistake -- the phenomenon of Ghost is spreading.

Before Ghost took the stage, Seattle act King Dude warmed up the audience with an unnerving approach to Luciferian doomy folk. If you're in the mood for something dark, atmospheric and very weird, give King Dude a listen.

Much like when Ghost was touring in 2013 to support 'Infestissumam,' the band started off with the album's title track going into 'Per Aspera Ad Inferi.' However, Ghost mixed it up this time around, performing seven songs from both 'Infestissumam' and 'Opus Eponymous,' rather than focusing mostly on their debut. Ghost also busted out creepified covers of the Beatles' 'Here Comes the Sun' and Roky Erickson's 'If You Have Ghosts.'

As for touching all five senses, sound and sight were obviously covered, but Ghost connected with fans through scent while leader Papa Emeritus II swung a beautiful incense burner back and forth; touch through extending his gloved hand to the crowd and taste while Ghost's own nuns, dubbed the "Sisters of Sin" offered communion to the crowd while Ghost performed 'Body and Blood'.

By far the loudest ovation of the night came as Ghost's choir of the damned kicked off the demon-chanting track 'Year Zero.' Papa Emeritus II allowed his audience to take over the summoning mantra, "Belial, Behemoth, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Satanas, Lucifer." The NYC crowd also popped for the beginning of the epic 'Ghuleh / Zombie Queen', which the masses demanded before Ghost returned for their encore.

Only six years into their career, Ghost have just begun to develop and present their grand vision of the ultimate live performance. And having witnessed the evolution of the band so far, we can't wait to experience what Ghost will come up with next.

Check out our exclusive photos of Ghost B.C. and King Dude below.

Ghost B.C.

King Dude: