Ghost’s Tobias Forge does his best Freddie Mercury impression as Queen watches

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In case you weren’t aware, Tobias Forge, the mastermind, lead vocalist, and essentially every other role in the band Ghost, hails from Sweden. The same goes for the heavy metal band Opeth. This detail might be useful as we proceed further.

Yearly, The Polar Music Prize is bestowed upon one contemporary musician (pop/rock) and one classical artist, representing a prestigious global music honor established in 1989, with a Swedish background. Essentially, though the awardee may hail from any corner of the world, numerous artists performing at the ceremony are often Swedes.

In 2025, one of the award recipients was the iconic band Queen. Both Brian May and Roger Taylor were present at the ceremony, along with Adam Lambert who has been standing in for the band’s late vocalist, Freddie Mercury. Although Lambert possesses an impressive voice, it’s important to note that he is not a replica of Mercury. Few individuals throughout history have possessed such extraordinary talent.

Watch Ghost’s Tobias Forge perform Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”

When a performer decides to cover a Queen song, such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” they often strive not to imitate Freddie Mercury’s unique style, yet aim to deliver a performance that does justice to the original. This was precisely what Forge was expected to do when he sang this iconic piece at the Polar Music Prize.

In their collaboration, they received assistance from Fredrik Åkesson, a guitarist known for working with Opeth and various other projects alongside Forge. This harmonious interaction significantly improved their rendition, as did the enchanting vocals of the Ericson Chamber Choir. Somehow, every aspect of their performance seemed exceptionally well-blended, and May and Taylor appeared to be genuinely thankful for it.

Without a doubt, Forge may not possess the vocal prowess of Mercury, yet he recognizes his own boundaries and avoids pushing his voice beyond its capabilities. He still delivers a pleasant sound, but it’s important to remember that he’s not Mercury. If you’re watching with expectations of hearing Mercury, you might be disappointed, and that’s perfectly fine.

Apart from Forge and Åkesson, other prominent musicians took the stage. Erik Grönwall covered “Stone Cold Crazy,” while Lambert delivered both “Who Wants to Live Forever” and “Another One Bites the Dust.”

Or:

Apart from Forge and Åkesson, additional popular acts graced the stage. Erik Grönwall sang “Stone Cold Crazy,” and Lambert played “Who Wants to Live Forever” and “Another One Bites the Dust.”

Both versions convey the same information in a natural and easy-to-understand manner.

Previous recipients of the Polar Music Prize, established by Stig Anderson, a former ABBA manager, encompass acts like Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, and Bruce Springsteen. In essence, it’s no stranger to rock royalty.

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2025-05-28 19:00