Not only did we read a lot at home, we also watched a lot of films. So I had already seen a lot of films that were about the crucifixion and the temptation of Christ, like Bible history and the Ten Commandments - stuff like that.
I love pinball.
I sort of found King Diamond in second grade, but I didn't become a devoted Satanist until a few years later, but that was very much part of my adolescence as well.
Most bands that don't want to become big at all, they don't play. If you don't want to be known, if you don't want to make it, don't play. That's the easiest way not to do it.
Sometimes I just wish I played in a band like Foo Fighters.
Once you get people's attention, you have a greater responsibility to tell them something of value.
If you've followed us from when we started playing live in October 2010, you will notice that there has been numerous changes over the years.
In grade one and two, I was definitely into heavy metal and Satanic rock music, bands that had attributes that were quote-unquote 'Satanic,' even things like the Rolling Stones with 'Their Satanic Majesties Request' and 'Sympathy for the Devil,' but also like Motley Crue and Kiss and Alice Cooper.
I have a fascination for well-produced '70s and '80s rock with a lot of harmonies. AOR bands like Journey, Jefferson Starship, Toto, Kansas, Boston.
It is difficult to be that band that doesn't do things the way other bands do it. It's a blessing and a curse.
I would like to say, and I think I am truthful, and I think I am honest when I say that I love doing Ghost. And if I didn't feel as passionate as I am and have been, about it, wanting to focus, basically, all my time on it, I don't wanna do it.
If you come in like a typical modern drummer who is used to playing only with tricks and double kick and, like, big, big, big, fast rolls, but you can't play a swinging shuffle, then you can't play in Ghost whatsoever.
I definitely believe that tormenting other people because of the Bible and for that to be - for lack of a better word, Gospel... I think that is not very nice.
I was 29 when we sort of broke through with Ghost.
I usually write a lot. I don't make an album and don't write for two years and then end up with a blank paper starting over.
The problem with religious doctrine, as with politics, because of its ability to give people authority, it has a tendency to attract people that want authority for all the wrong reasons, and that is what it has done across all time.
So many people have opinions based not on fact but spite.
By sheer luck, we did our first tour of America as a headlining act.
The music comes first. Final lyrics are usually written very close to recording the vocals.
For us, if you're a rock band, there's no way around it. You have to tour. You have to tour a whole lot.
