Forget therapy—have you tried Satanic metal?

Instead of grieving like a normal person, last year I flew to Los Angeles to hang out with a near stranger and see the Swedish Satanic metal band Ghost, whose music helped me cope with my dad’s illness and death. This weekend, the cool people at Grieve Leave were kind enough to publish my essay about the experience: “The Therapeutic Power of Satanic Metal.”

“I came to love Ghost because they present a sexy, joyful form of death. A death with agency, with a pledge to the Devil and moonlight dancing. A death that isn’t a death—it’s a rock show. And rock never dies.”

I do want to point out that they published the piece on Sunday, and on Monday, Ghost announced a 2025 world tour. Coincidence? Or am I a powerful sorceress? Who can say?

If you have a chance, please give it a read—and check out Grieve Leave’s many amazing resources if you haven’t already!