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"Square Hammer"
Cover art for the CD single
Single by Ghost
from the EP Popestar
B-side"He Is"
Released12 September 2016 (2016-09-12)
Genre
Length3:59
Label
SongwriterTobias Forge
ProducerTom Dalgety
Ghost singles chronology
"Majesty"
(2015) 		"Square Hammer"
(2016) 		"Rats"
(2018)

"Square Hammer" is a song by the Swedish rock band Ghost.[3] It was released as the lead single from the group's second EP Popestar. The song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in January 2017, making the band the first Swedish band to top the chart.[4] "Square Hammer" was one of the official theme songs for NXT TakeOver: San Antonio.[5]

Track listing

[edit]

CD single

[edit]
No.TitleLength
1."Square Hammer"3:59

7" single

[edit]
Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Square Hammer"3:59
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."He Is" (radio edit)3:31

Music video

[edit]

The music video was directed by Zev Deans and stars Brendan McGowan as Cardinal Copia, Papa Emeritus III, and himself. It was filmed in Brooklyn, New York.

The camera travels through a green-lit city during a lightning storm. Papa Emeritus III takes a paper from a hawker. He reads about a Mysterious Spectre who has seized power. He also reads about his role in the first ever moving picture. The picture "Square Hammer" is set to premiere at the Meliora Grand that very night. He exits the limo and waves to his fans. He and his Nameless Ghouls enter the theatre. They greet fans and take their seats in the front row.

The silent film starts with a man holding a torch amidst a dark and stormy landscape, also during a lightning storm. He finds a tunnel. A portcullis raises, revealing Papa Emeritus III as a mysterious spectre. He conducts the man inside, showing him a stone coffin, which starts to open, revealing more lightning within. Back in the theatre, Papa Emeritus III appears surprised about this part and the projector starts to spark. In the film, a squared hammer surrounded by electric arcs is revealed. The intertitle refers to it as the "Square Hammer". The man picks it up as the mysterious spectre makes mystic passes. The Hammer glows and emits lightning, and the mysterious spectre's left eye glows.

Suddenly, the mysterious spectre puts his hand through the screen. It arcs with power. Papa Emeritus III sees it, but the others appear unconcerned. Then the mysterious spectre bows and becomes a cloud of bats, which chase everyone except Papa Emeritus III and the ghouls outside the theatre. An afterimage of the mysterious spectre glows blue on the screen.

Outside, the bats ascend into the night sky and congeal into a giant spectre, silhouetted against the full moon. Inside the theatre, the projector sparks even more violently and shows an image of a red cardinal on top of a cross before the film melts. Papa Emeritus III has had enough and leaves. Outside, the blue image of the spectre glows against the sky. A spotlight passes over it and its left eye glows. Papa Emeritus III's left eye begins to glow before the cut.

Production

[edit]
  • Director – Zev Deans
  • VFE Director – Madeline Quinn
  • Starring Brendan McGowan

Reception

[edit]

MetalSucks gave the video a positive review.[6] Metal Injection gave the song a positive review.[7]

Loudwire named "Square Hammer" the best metal song of 2016[8] and awarded the video as Best Metal Video in their 6th Annual Loudwire Music Awards in 2017,[9] leading the vote with 39.27% over videos such as Avenged Sevenfold's "The Stage" and Slayer's "You Against You".[10] Also in December 2019, Loudwire named it the Metal Song of the Decade.[11]

Chart performance

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Square Hammer"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[15] Gold 40,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[16] Gold 30,000‡
United States (RIAA)[17] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Square Hammer

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Square Hammer" is a song by the Swedish rock band , released on September 16, 2016, as the and sole original track from their second EP, . Written by frontman , the song features driving heavy metal riffs inspired by Ozzy Osbourne's "I Don't Know" and enigmatic lyrics centered on themes of allegiance to the , incorporating Masonic symbolism such as the "square" and "hammer" as tools representing truth and honesty. It became a defining for the band, propelling them to mainstream success. The track achieved significant chart performance, reaching number one on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in January 2017, marking Ghost's first leader on that list and the first for any Swedish band. Its , directed by Zev Deans and filmed in , has amassed over 117 million views on as of November 2025, contributing to the song's status as a live staple in Ghost's performances. "Square Hammer" also served as the theme for WWE's : event in January 2017, further broadening its cultural reach.

Background

Writing and inspiration

Tobias Forge, the primary songwriter and mastermind behind , composed "Square Hammer" in 2016 during the band's touring cycle for their album . Originally conceived as a potential track for but left unfinished at the time, Forge completed it as a surprise addition and the for the EP, released in September of that year. The song emerged from Forge's desire to craft a dynamic opener capable of captivating large audiences and propelling toward mainstream rock success. The songwriting process was swift and riff-driven, with Forge repurposing a melody from one of his earlier, unused compositions that he deemed exceptionally strong. As he recounted in a 2019 Loudwire interview, "'The riff was the thing that sort of originated the song... It was just like one of those little melodies that I’m like, ‘That is way too good.'" He built the track around this element to create an energetic, arena-ready anthem, stating, "'Square Hammer' was definitely me thinking, ‘We need a big opener.’ We don’t have that." This approach marked a deliberate shift to infuse Ghost's performances with more immediate, explosive energy, moving beyond their earlier, slower-paced sets. Forge drew inspiration from classic heavy metal and staples to shape the song's structure and vibe. He cited Iron Maiden's "" as a model for its straightforward, party-starting rocker quality, aiming to replicate that infectious drive. Additionally, the track's bombastic feel was influenced by Ozzy Osbourne's "I Don't Know," particularly its rendition at the 1989 , which Forge sought to emulate for its high-impact, crowd-mobilizing power. Through these influences, Forge blended Ghost's signature motifs with accessible, subversive rock elements to produce a hit that aligned with the band's thematic lore of satanic allegiance and anti-religious satire.

Recording

"Square Hammer was recorded in April 2016 at Gardenia Studio in , ." "The track was produced, engineered, and mixed by Tom Dalgety, with additional engineering by Niels Nielsen and mastering by at Sterling Sound." ", performing as Papa Emeritus III, handled vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboards, while a group of Nameless Ghouls contributed to the instrumentation. The song runs for 3:59, is composed in , and maintains a of 130 BPM, featuring prominent heavy guitar riffs and choral backing elements in its arrangement."

Release

Formats and promotion

"Square Hammer" premiered on September 12, 2016, as the from Ghost's second EP, Popestar, which was released four days later on September 16. The track premiered exclusively on SiriusXM's channel, serving as the centerpiece of the EP's promotional rollout and introducing the project's blend of original material and covers. Promotion for the single emphasized radio airplay and digital streaming availability, with the band leveraging social media platforms to share snippets and artwork that teased the occult rock aesthetic of Popestar. Certain editions of the single featured a radio edit of the Popestar track "He Is" as the B-side, enhancing its appeal to rock radio programmers. The release strategy tied directly into Ghost's ongoing North American tour, where "Square Hammer" received its live debut as the set opener on September 16 in Rochester, New York, amplifying excitement for the EP among fans.

Commercial formats

"Square Hammer" was commercially released as a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single on September 16, 2016, through Reaktor Recordings in . The square-shaped disc featured "Square Hammer" on the A-side and "He Is ()" on the B-side, pressed at 45 RPM and limited to 1,000 copies total, with 500 available through Swedish retailers and the remaining 500 sold during the band's tour; it was packaged in a transparent plastic sleeve with a sticker bearing the . The single was also made available digitally for download and streaming on the same date via , distributed by , and accessible on platforms including , , and . Furthermore, "Square Hammer" served as the opening track on Ghost's EP, released concurrently in multiple formats by and , including standard CD, 12-inch vinyl, and digital download editions.

Composition

Musical structure

"Square Hammer" is a heavy metal track infused with elements, characterized by driving guitar riffs, pounding drums, and symphonic keyboard layers that contribute to its arena-rock polish. The song's modern production, handled by Tom Dalgety, emphasizes a clean, expansive sound suitable for large venues, blending classic heaviness with pop accessibility. , the band's primary songwriter, has cited as a major influence, evident in the track's ominous riffing and rhythmic drive reminiscent of early heavy metal pioneers. The song follows a conventional verse-chorus structure with a pre-chorus build-up that heightens tension before the explosive choruses. It opens with an iconic in , establishing the tonal center, and proceeds through two verses, each leading into a pre-chorus escalation. The choruses employ a straightforward i–VI–III–VII progression (Dm–Bb–F–C), a common sequence in rock and pop that provides melodic catchiness while maintaining the minor-key darkness. A mid-song serves as a breakdown, featuring distorted leads over the rhythm section before resolving back into the final chorus and outro, which fades with repeating riff motifs. The overall clocks in at 130 beats per minute, driving the track's energetic pulse. Instrumentally, the arrangement highlights Forge's multi-layered vocals, ranging from clean verses to anthemic, harmonized choruses, supported by twin distorted guitars delivering palm-muted riffs and harmonized leads. The bass lines lock tightly with the drums, emphasizing the root notes of the to anchor the groove, while keyboards add symphonic swells and subtle atmospheric textures, enhancing the vibe without overpowering the rock foundation. This combination creates a balanced, riff-driven composition that prioritizes and hook-driven repetition over complex harmonic shifts.

Lyrics and themes

The lyrics of "Square Hammer" center on a clandestine ritual in which the titular "square hammer" functions as a mystical tool for summoning or communing with the , parodying both satanic oaths and the ceremonial oaths found in fraternal traditions. The unfolds as an invitation to join a dark brotherhood, with the opening verse evoking a solemn gathering: "On the first day of a brand new year / I send the servants to the square / Before the , they will kneel." This sets a tone of , where participants are called to renounce conventional in favor of infernal allegiance. Central to the song's chorus are provocative lines such as "Are you ready to swear right here, right now / Before the devil's son?" which demand an immediate vow of loyalty to a demonic heir, subverting traditional religious oaths by positioning the Devil's lineage as the true object of devotion. These lyrics emphasize themes of allegiance to darkness, portraying the Devil not as an abstract force but as a personal entity capable of spiritual possession and empowerment. The repeated queries—"Are you on the square? / Are you on the level?"—incorporate phrasing drawn from Masonic symbolism, where the square represents morality and fairness in conduct, while the hammer evokes the gavel used in lodge rituals and initiations to signify authority and the shaping of character. Overall, the song explores themes of religious , critique, and personal empowerment through forbidden occult practices, aligning with Ghost's broader satirical commentary on heavy metal's longstanding fascination with and ritualistic imagery. By framing devil worship as a rebellious alternative to , "Square Hammer" invites listeners to embrace a theatrical inversion of , where infernal pacts promise liberation rather than . The ritualistic pulse of the musical backing further amplifies this ceremonial atmosphere, underscoring the ' hypnotic call to oath-taking.

Music video

Production

The music video for "Square Hammer" was directed by Zev Deans and filmed in , New York. Styled as a homage to silent films, it drew inspiration from German , particularly F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu (1922), evoking the eerie aesthetics of early horror cinema. The cast included Papa Emeritus III, played by Tobias Forge, the band's Nameless Ghouls, and Brendan McGowan as the lead actor portraying a character who encounters supernatural forces. Key technical elements featured black-and-white cinematography, intertitles reminiscent of the silent era, exaggerated acting to mimic Expressionist performances, and practical effects for the glowing hammer prop, which ties into the song's Masonic symbolism.

Synopsis and style

The music video for "Square Hammer" runs for 4 minutes and 3 seconds and was released on September 29, 2016, via the band's official YouTube channel. It depicts Papa Emeritus III and the Nameless Ghouls seated in a grand theater, watching a black-and-white silent film framed as the "first ever moving picture." The film's plot centers on a young man, portrayed with facial features resembling a pre-papal Cardinal Copia, who ventures into an abandoned church amid a stormy night and uncovers a cursed square hammer concealed within a coffin. This discovery initiates a demonic summoning, manifesting as shadowy figures and supernatural forces that awaken an infernal entity. Stylistically, the video emulates gothic horror cinema through high-contrast dramatic lighting, foggy and dimly lit shadowy sets evoking eerie isolation, and cards with ornate to advance the in silent-film fashion. The sequence culminates in the hammer's power being revealed, as the summoned giant Papa Emeritus III bursts from the screen into the theater, transforming into a swarm of bats and pursuing through a nocturnal , blending horror with theatrical absurdity. The visuals heighten the atmospheric dread. Thematically, the video aligns with the song's motifs by employing visual metaphors of and infernal contact: the young man's fateful grasp of the symbolizes a pact with dark forces, echoing that urge swearing allegiance to the over and portraying infernal power as both alluring and destructive. This reinforces the track's of anti-religious devotion without explicit , relying on exaggerated expressions and to convey the allure of the .

Reception

Critical reviews

Upon its release as the lead single from Ghost's 2016 EP , "Square Hammer" received widespread acclaim from metal critics for its infectious energy and memorable hooks. described the accompanying video as a "." Similarly, in a year-end list, contributor Phil Boozeman highlighted the track's "pretty damn infectious" riff, noting how it became "ridiculously embedded" in listeners' heads due to its relentless momentum. Metal Injection's review of lauded "Square Hammer" as a "corker," emphasizing its anthemic quality through "Blue Öyster Cult-meets-ABBA pop hooks" and a "harmony chorus that just won’t quit," which blended the band's roots with earworm accessibility. included it in their list of the 10 best metal songs of , calling it one of Ghost's strongest compositions overall for reassuring longtime fans of the band's creative consistency while converting skeptics with its devilish catchiness. Critics noted how the track's structure—propulsive drums leading into a sumptuous, galvanizing chorus—made it more approachable than the denser soundscapes of Ghost's prior album , merging heavy metal aggression with pop sensibilities to broaden the band's appeal. Kerrang! later reflected on "Square Hammer" as a pivotal "crossover classic" that hooked new listeners and marked a commercial breakthrough for following Meliora, with every element from its intro snare to its riff-driven verses designed to energize audiences. The overall critical consensus positioned the song as a high point in Ghost's , elevating their mainstream profile by showcasing innovative songcraft that balanced theatrical heaviness with radio-friendly hooks.

Accolades

"Square Hammer" received significant recognition within the metal community shortly after its release. In 2019, named it the Metal Song of the Decade for the , praising its infectious and commercial breakthrough for . The track has been included in prominent editorial lists celebrating 's catalog. ranked "Square Hammer" as the number one greatest song in their 2023 feature on the band's 25 best tracks, highlighting its role as a career-defining . Positive critical reception contributed to its enduring honors. By 2025, retrospectives positioned "Square Hammer" as a staple of 's oeuvre, exemplified by a Louder Sound article revisiting the song's creation and impact on the band's trajectory, as well as inclusions in Kerrang!'s July 2025 list of essential Ghost songs and GuitarGuitar's October 2025 top 10 Ghost songs. The song's prominence extended to visual media, featuring prominently in Ghost's 2024 Rite Here Rite Now, where it served as a climactic live capturing the band's theatrical .

Commercial performance

Chart positions

"Square Hammer" achieved significant success on rock-oriented charts in the United States, marking several milestones for . The song topped the Mainstream Rock Songs chart for two weeks beginning January 28, 2017, becoming the band's first number-one hit on that tally and the first for any Swedish act. It also peaked at number 23 on the chart. Internationally, the single entered the Swedish Singles Chart (), where it peaked at number 75. Reflecting its sustained popularity, "Square Hammer" ranked at number 94 on 's 2017 year-end Hot Rock Songs chart.
Chart (2016–2017)Peak position
US Mainstream Rock ()1
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ()23
()75

Certifications and sales

"Square Hammer" has achieved several certifications reflecting its commercial success. In the United States, the song was certified by the (RIAA) on February 7, 2025, representing 500,000 equivalent units of sales and streams. In Canada, it earned a certification from for 40,000 units. The track also received a certification from IFPI Norway, denoting 30,000 units, as reported in industry records. As of November 2025, "Square Hammer" has surpassed 260 million streams on alone, underscoring its enduring popularity in the digital era. The single's strong performance significantly contributed to the success of Ghost's EP, which debuted at number one on the Top Rock Albums chart in September 2016—the first EP to top that ranking—with initial sales of 21,000 units.

Personnel and live use

Credits

"Square Hammer" was written by under his pseudonym A Ghoul Writer. The track was produced by Tom Dalgety, with recording and engineering at Gardenia Studio in , , and mixing by Tom Dalgety at Psalm Studio in Bath, . Additional engineering was handled by Niels Nielsen, with assistance from Markus Crona. Mastering was performed by at Sterling Sound in . The song was recorded at Gardenia Studio in , . Performance credits are attributed to Papa Emeritus III on vocals and Nameless Ghouls on instruments. Publishing is credited to Ghost Music and administered by .

Performances

"Square Hammer" made its live debut on , 2016, at the Main Street Armory in , opening the band's . The song quickly became a fixture in Ghost's performances, serving as a high-energy opener during the (2016–2017), where it was frequently preceded by the "Masked Ball" intro to build anticipation. Its placement evolved in subsequent tours, closing the main set on the (2018) and acting as an encore finale during the Skeletour (2025), reflecting the band's shifting narrative arcs across eras. Live renditions of "Square Hammer" emphasize theatrical , incorporating bursts of that sync with the song's pounding to create an explosive atmosphere. These often encourage robust audience participation, with crowds singing along to the chorus so enthusiastically that it rivals the band's volume, fostering a communal, ritualistic vibe. The track's anthemic quality, bolstered by its earlier chart success, has solidified its role as a crowd-pleasing highlight in Ghost's concerts. "Square Hammer" is featured in the 2024 concert film Rite Here Rite Now, which documents a 2023 performance at The Forum in , showcasing the song's integration into the band's elaborate stage production. Post-2018, during the Papa Emeritus IV era, variations emerged, including repositioning the song as a climactic closer with adjusted and effects to align with the evolving frontman persona and thematic elements of albums like Prequelle and .

References

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqoyKzgkqR4
  2. https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/ghost-square-hammer-story-behind-song
  3. https://loudwire.com/ghost-square-hammer-metal-song-decade/
  4. https://www.loudersound.com/features/ghost-square-hammer-story-behind-the-song
  5. https://www.discogs.com/master/1057892-Ghost-Popestar
  6. https://music.apple.com/us/song/square-hammer/1440943163
  7. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/tobias_forge_at_some_point_or_another_ive_played_all_instruments_in_ghost.html
  8. https://tunebat.com/Info/Square-Hammer-Ghost/2XgTw2co6xv95TmKpMcL70
  9. https://www.loudersound.com/news/ghost-release-new-track-square-hammer
  10. https://northerntransmissions.com/ghost-announce-new-ep-popestar/
  11. https://www.siriusxm.com/blog/ghost-debuts-new-song-square-hammer-exclusively-on-octane
  12. https://ghostcultmag.com/video-tour-teaser-ghost-popestar-loma-vista/
  13. https://www.discogs.com/release/9056351-Ghost-Square-Hammer
  14. http://www.hennemusic.com/2016/09/video-ghost-perform-square-hammer-live.html
  15. https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/ghost-popestar-ep-interview-7526405/
  16. https://open.spotify.com/track/6LKXfkB0WymOSe74x3rks
  17. https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ghosts-tobias-forge-black-sabbath-was-hugely-influential-for-me
  18. https://www.nme.com/news/music/ghosts-tobias-forge-on-tremendous-influence-of-black-sabbath-heaviness-is-great-but-theres-so-much-more-in-that-kitchen-3849856
  19. https://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/ghost/square-hammer
  20. https://songbpm.com/%40ghost/square-hammer
  21. https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/ghost/square-hammer-chords-1898234
  22. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/the_story_behind_square_hammer_by_ghost-75051
  23. https://genius.com/Ghost-square-hammer-lyrics
  24. https://www.freemason.org/freemasonry-symbols/
  25. https://esotericfreemasons.com/the-light-of-freemasonry/gavel-in-a-masonic-lodge/
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8660872/
  27. https://loudwire.com/ghost-square-hammer-video/
  28. http://www.mfquinndesign.com/work/panorama-programming-music-videos-8rbsn
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8660872/fullcredits/
  30. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/see-ghost-channel-dracula-in-new-square-hammer-video-102056/
  31. https://www.metalsucks.net/2016/09/16/ghosts-square-hammer-video-masterpiece/
  32. https://www.metalsucks.net/2016/12/08/phil-boozemans-top-10-albums-of-2016/
  33. https://metalinjection.net/reviews/ghost-popestar
  34. https://loudwire.com/10-best-metal-songs-of-2016-watch/
  35. https://www.kerrang.com/ghost-13-best-greatest-songs-ever-tobias-forge-papa-emeritus-cardinal-copia-papa-v-perpetua-stand-by-him-elizabeth-cirice-mary-on-a-cross-square-hammer
  36. https://www.revolvermag.com/music/25-greatest-ghost-songs/
  37. https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/news/143032/
  38. https://www.loudersound.com/features/ghost-rite-here-rite-now
  39. https://www.billboard.com/pro/mainstream-rock-songs-ghost-square-hammer-number-one/
  40. https://loudwire.com/most-played-rock-radio-songs-2025-so-far/
  41. https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/hot-rock-songs/
  42. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Ghost&ti=Square+Hammer
  43. https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Square+Hammer+Ghost
  44. https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Qp56T7n950O3EGMsSl81D
  45. https://www.billboard.com/pro/ghost-popestar-rock-albums-chart-ep/
  46. https://www.discogs.com/release/9058892-Ghost-Popestar
  47. https://thebandghost.fandom.com/wiki/Popestar
  48. https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Ghost/Popestar/603923
  49. https://genius.com/albums/Ghost/Popestar-ep
  50. https://www.allmusic.com/album/popestar-mw0002976900
  51. https://heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/glamcd.cgi?BandNum=8334&CDName=Popestar
  52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kJcvkdAqAM
  53. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/ghost-3bd2a4a8.html?songid=33cad471
  54. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/ghost-3bd2a4a8.html?tour=43deebf7
  55. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/ghost-3bd2a4a8.html?tour=5bd0efc0
  56. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/ghost-3bd2a4a8.html?tour=33ddacb1
  57. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/apr/11/ghost-review-rocknroll-pyro-pantomime-is-hellishly-good-fun
  58. https://ghostcultmag.com/concert-review-ghost-live-at-phoenix-arena-footprint-center/
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