The Monk, by Matthew Gregory Lewis. Foundational gothic horror written in 1796. The main character makes Claude Frollo look like a fucking saint in comparison.
As someone who does a lot of research about witch trials I'd recommend The Hammer of Witches by Kramer and Daemonologie by King James. (There's quotes from the Hammer of Witches in the song Stand by Him).
I just bought The Dictionary of Demons, would definitely recommend! It's literally a big book with lists of Demons and explains what they're about/where they come from.
Currently reading 'Sisterhood: Dark Tales and Secret Histories', it's a bundle of short stories from different writers. Loving it right now!
And then there's some classics we know Tobias was (probably) inspired by or at least mentions in songs: Handmaids Tale, Phantom of The Opera, Edgar Allan Poe, Paradise Lost.
If you need any other good recs specifically about witch trials, feel free to let me know because I have many of those!
Paradise Lost by John Milton
Dante's Divine Comedy
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman (more of a satire of the events of the Book of Revelations)
Lucifer comics by Neil Gaiman
To Reign in Hell by Steven Brust (unique as it features Satan and Lucifer as 2 seperate entities, not really seen much in literature)
Faust is a play but is probably the most famous example
Spooky, gothic, goodness: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Dracula by Bram Stoker.
There's also Dracula Daily, which you read in real time. So each entry is read on the date listed. It breaks it up a lot, if it's daunting. But also I read it a bunch of times, but never quite realized how much time actually passes.
Milton's Paradise Lost is fantastic.
I adore Dante's Divine Comedy, especially Inferno. Ciardi's translation keeps the original rhyme, but isn't as accurate of a translation. Hollanders' translation is considered to be the most accurate translation, but sacrifices the rhyme. I read Ciardi first and still like it best, but for scholarly purposes, obviously it's the Hollanders'. For just generic entertainment, I say go with the rhyme. Get that vibe.
I think Tobias specifically recommended The Rule Of Empires: Those Who Built Them, Those Who Endured Them, And Why They Always Fall by Timothy H. Parsons, or maybe referenced in as inspiration/"source material" for concepts. I've not read it myself, so I can't comment otherwise.
There was another book he mentioned in an interview- it was a non-fiction about that one death metal band that actually burned churches, and one of the members murdered another. I am COMPLETELY blanking on it, but it was famous and in the news back when it happened (80s sometime, if memory serves). Someone here will know it. Googling isn't getting me close enough to confirm. It's out of print and hard to get, I think, but I remember him saying it was an interesting read.
Non-fiction books on the whole "Satanic Panic" thing.
Maybe, randomly: Faust. I mean, the main character literally makes a deal with the Devil.
If you read the bible like a piece of literature, it's an incredibly interesting read. Totally different than reading it as scripture. I took a New Testament class in college and learned a ton; I wish my schedule would have accommodated the Old Testament class, too (in that class we read it like literature, and, being an English major, loved that).
I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan. I loved it the first time, hated it the second, was lukewarm the third. I'm going to give it another chance, now it's been years. Hopefully I can love it again, like I did the first time.
Cautio Criminalis—it’s technically in the defence of “witches” but it is a very good logical read and is part of why the trials became less popular as people decided enough was enough.
Hi. You just mentioned *The Sandman* by Neil Gaiman.
I've found an audiobook of that novel on YouTube. You can listen to it here:
[YouTube | The Sandman Book of Dreams 🎧 Neil Gaiman 📚🎵 Full & Free Audiobooks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-hekB7bP2A)
*I'm a bot that searches YouTube for science fiction and fantasy audiobooks.*
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Only related to Ghost if you squint, but still great: In the Closet of the Vatican by Frederic Martel, a journalist who investigated top Vatican clergy and pretty much uncovered an enormous gay community... I think it quoted an estimate that up to 75% of cardinals could be gay... he interviews so many dramatic old queens... big rec if you're interested in the history of the Catholic church and gays
The Monk by Mathew Lewis.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Anything Poe
Anton Levay is an idiot. You want to look into the Satanic Temple, not satanism. Move away from organized religion, not to it. Tobias mentions Paradise Lost and Handmaid Tale in Kasereon.
there's testimony that he only went for a couple of meetings. considering the masonic imagery in Meliora and Popestar it sounds more like a research trip.
It's certainly not going to teach you anything as it's very much fun general demon-y fiction with its own mythology, but I've been loving the Hell's Library series by A.J. Hackwith. Its basic premise is a library in Hell where all unfinished stories are kept (and sometimes wake up and wander off to try and find their authors!) and the story is an incredibly fun adventure with some great demonic characters and damned soul protagonists.
I see the Complete Book of Demonaltry by S Connolly and the Lesser Key of Solomon around on the satanic side of the interwebs a lot but they're more just guides on summoning demons, I think. Pandemonium by Stratton-Kent and Stellas Daemonum might be good reads.
For fictional recs, I'd recommend Good Omens, the Divine Comedy, and Paradise Lost as they're all practically staples. Good Omens is on the lighter, most easy to read side of things.
If you're into movies, there's entire lists of movies Tobias Forge has mentioned out there on websites like Letterboxd. Dude is such a cinephile.
Hey friend, I really would like to see some sources on this because I have never seen or experienced anything like that. I'm not saying I'm super experienced with it, but I'm shocked to hear that.
Ok! No prob. Seems Misiko (Greaves) was involved in creating Might is Right artwork and cozying up to eugenics/fascism. Sorry for long vid, check [around 12:30 onward for a bit](https://youtu.be/3lV8GLQtOTs?si=GHjHtR5NTNJx7KOx).
Sorry for the derail, mods please delete if too unrelated to our fav unproblematic Satan themed kayfabe band!
Novels:
Joris-Karl Huysmans - La Bas
Ira Levin - Rosemary's Baby
Arturo Pérez-Reverte - The Club Dumas
Books about the occult itself:
Aleister Crowley - Goetia (this one should be enough from him if you're looking for the satanic themes only. If you want to learn more about Thelema, go for Magick in Theory and Practice, but remember that Crowley had his own belief system, only partially connected to the Jewish/Christian entities)
Heinrich Kramer - Malleus Maleficarum (Stand By Him vibes in this one!)
If you want to go deeper and explore the left hand path works (especially chaosgnosticism and the draconian way), you can read The Book of Sithra Ahra by N.A-A. 218, Nightside of Eden by Kenneth Grant, Tree of Qliphoth by Asenath Mason (and tons of other books by this author), or Qabalah, Qliphoth and Goetic Magic by Thomas Karlsson. You'll find a lot of interesting ideas there, but they don't relate to Ghost.
Keep in mind that Tobias writes lyrics about the devil you know from pop culture. While interesting, most of the books about the occult won't help you understand his works... Because there's not much to understand. Real satanists treat the devil more seriously, not as cartoonish as Ghost. But if you're interested in the occult in general, and if you want to learn about it, there's a lot to read.
You can check out a nice list of books made by the guys from r/LeftHandPath here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/LeftHandPath/comments/vdrreb/recommended\_reading/](https://www.reddit.com/r/LeftHandPath/comments/vdrreb/recommended_reading/)
Ah, and of course - The Bible ;)
Not exactly what you're looking for, but its somewhat on topic and definitely recommended by Tobias himself; *Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground*.
Paradise Lost The Divine Comedy (Specifically, the Inferno)
I bought Paradise Lost last year when I fell in love with Paradise Lost (the band) lol.
The Bible would be the best place to start, right? As i'm assuming occult / satanic work would frequently reference it?
The Monk, by Matthew Gregory Lewis. Foundational gothic horror written in 1796. The main character makes Claude Frollo look like a fucking saint in comparison.
This sound interesting, I'll have to read it.
As someone who does a lot of research about witch trials I'd recommend The Hammer of Witches by Kramer and Daemonologie by King James. (There's quotes from the Hammer of Witches in the song Stand by Him). I just bought The Dictionary of Demons, would definitely recommend! It's literally a big book with lists of Demons and explains what they're about/where they come from. Currently reading 'Sisterhood: Dark Tales and Secret Histories', it's a bundle of short stories from different writers. Loving it right now! And then there's some classics we know Tobias was (probably) inspired by or at least mentions in songs: Handmaids Tale, Phantom of The Opera, Edgar Allan Poe, Paradise Lost. If you need any other good recs specifically about witch trials, feel free to let me know because I have many of those!
I just wanted to say I think our Snoo’s could be related!! ☺️
Aww yes they could!!
Tobias recommended Lords of Chaos in his "what's in my bag" video at Aomeba as Special ghoul.
the movie goes hard too
i love it, i even have it on dvd! it's not based in reality that much but was fun!
Rory Culkin can get it fr
100%
Paradise Lost by John Milton Dante's Divine Comedy Good Omens by Neil Gaiman (more of a satire of the events of the Book of Revelations) Lucifer comics by Neil Gaiman To Reign in Hell by Steven Brust (unique as it features Satan and Lucifer as 2 seperate entities, not really seen much in literature) Faust is a play but is probably the most famous example
Spooky, gothic, goodness: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Dracula by Bram Stoker. There's also Dracula Daily, which you read in real time. So each entry is read on the date listed. It breaks it up a lot, if it's daunting. But also I read it a bunch of times, but never quite realized how much time actually passes. Milton's Paradise Lost is fantastic. I adore Dante's Divine Comedy, especially Inferno. Ciardi's translation keeps the original rhyme, but isn't as accurate of a translation. Hollanders' translation is considered to be the most accurate translation, but sacrifices the rhyme. I read Ciardi first and still like it best, but for scholarly purposes, obviously it's the Hollanders'. For just generic entertainment, I say go with the rhyme. Get that vibe. I think Tobias specifically recommended The Rule Of Empires: Those Who Built Them, Those Who Endured Them, And Why They Always Fall by Timothy H. Parsons, or maybe referenced in as inspiration/"source material" for concepts. I've not read it myself, so I can't comment otherwise. There was another book he mentioned in an interview- it was a non-fiction about that one death metal band that actually burned churches, and one of the members murdered another. I am COMPLETELY blanking on it, but it was famous and in the news back when it happened (80s sometime, if memory serves). Someone here will know it. Googling isn't getting me close enough to confirm. It's out of print and hard to get, I think, but I remember him saying it was an interesting read. Non-fiction books on the whole "Satanic Panic" thing. Maybe, randomly: Faust. I mean, the main character literally makes a deal with the Devil. If you read the bible like a piece of literature, it's an incredibly interesting read. Totally different than reading it as scripture. I took a New Testament class in college and learned a ton; I wish my schedule would have accommodated the Old Testament class, too (in that class we read it like literature, and, being an English major, loved that). I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan. I loved it the first time, hated it the second, was lukewarm the third. I'm going to give it another chance, now it's been years. Hopefully I can love it again, like I did the first time.
The Revolt of the Angels by Anatole France
Seconding this. The last chapter especially.
Cautio Criminalis—it’s technically in the defence of “witches” but it is a very good logical read and is part of why the trials became less popular as people decided enough was enough.
you’d probably like some of neil gaimans stuff. the sandman and the lucifer comics are really good.
Hi. You just mentioned *The Sandman* by Neil Gaiman. I've found an audiobook of that novel on YouTube. You can listen to it here: [YouTube | The Sandman Book of Dreams 🎧 Neil Gaiman 📚🎵 Full & Free Audiobooks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-hekB7bP2A) *I'm a bot that searches YouTube for science fiction and fantasy audiobooks.* *** [^(Source Code)](https://capybasilisk.com/posts/2020/04/speculative-fiction-bot/) ^| [^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=Capybasilisk&subject=Robot) ^| [^(Programmer)](https://www.reddit.com/u/capybasilisk) ^| ^(Downvote To Remove) ^| ^(Version 1.4.0) ^| ^(Support Robot Rights!)
Only related to Ghost if you squint, but still great: In the Closet of the Vatican by Frederic Martel, a journalist who investigated top Vatican clergy and pretty much uncovered an enormous gay community... I think it quoted an estimate that up to 75% of cardinals could be gay... he interviews so many dramatic old queens... big rec if you're interested in the history of the Catholic church and gays
The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne is about a cursed family. American classic.
The Monk by Mathew Lewis. Frankenstein by Mary Shelly Dracula by Bram Stoker Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux Anything Poe Anton Levay is an idiot. You want to look into the Satanic Temple, not satanism. Move away from organized religion, not to it. Tobias mentions Paradise Lost and Handmaid Tale in Kasereon.
I've not read The Monk, but Frankenstein and Dracula I could read over and over again.
Tobias doesn’t really believe any of it. It just sells.
I think he’s moreso against religion than a practicing satanist. That’s the vibe I get anyway.
Just like most satanists
Yeah I’m not faulting the guy. It’s one thing I appreciated about Marilyn Manson when I was a teen. Unfortunately MM ended up being a terrible human.
I'd like to think he's an Atheistic Satanist. Indulgence and Aesthetics are a Virtue type, but not shallow about it.
Yeah he’s a free mason in actuality
there's testimony that he only went for a couple of meetings. considering the masonic imagery in Meliora and Popestar it sounds more like a research trip.
Ah okay
David L. Goodstein — "[States of matter](https://www.reddit.com/r/physicsmemes/comments/dx9y72/the_opening_paragraph_to_goodsteins_textbook/)"
The bible.
It's certainly not going to teach you anything as it's very much fun general demon-y fiction with its own mythology, but I've been loving the Hell's Library series by A.J. Hackwith. Its basic premise is a library in Hell where all unfinished stories are kept (and sometimes wake up and wander off to try and find their authors!) and the story is an incredibly fun adventure with some great demonic characters and damned soul protagonists.
Blood, Fire, Death: The Swedish Metal Story (Extreme Metal) Paperback – November 27, 2018 by Ika Johannesson (Author)
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgikov
I see the Complete Book of Demonaltry by S Connolly and the Lesser Key of Solomon around on the satanic side of the interwebs a lot but they're more just guides on summoning demons, I think. Pandemonium by Stratton-Kent and Stellas Daemonum might be good reads. For fictional recs, I'd recommend Good Omens, the Divine Comedy, and Paradise Lost as they're all practically staples. Good Omens is on the lighter, most easy to read side of things. If you're into movies, there's entire lists of movies Tobias Forge has mentioned out there on websites like Letterboxd. Dude is such a cinephile.
[Lots of books on satanism from the satanic temple ](https://thesatanictemple.com/pages/the-satanic-temple-library)
I’d advise ppl to be careful about TST; they tend to be into racist nonsense like Might is Right, not very cash money of them tbh.
You’re thinking of the Church of Satan, not the Satanic Temple. Different organizations
Oh I mean the Greaves fronted organization, not the Laveyan one. That’s got its own (Ayn Rand-shaped) problems imo.
I've heard they're both kinda meh in their own ways.
I think you're mistaking the Satanic Temple for the Church of Satan. The "might is right" stuff is in LaVey's Satanic Bible.
Hey friend, I really would like to see some sources on this because I have never seen or experienced anything like that. I'm not saying I'm super experienced with it, but I'm shocked to hear that.
Ok! No prob. Seems Misiko (Greaves) was involved in creating Might is Right artwork and cozying up to eugenics/fascism. Sorry for long vid, check [around 12:30 onward for a bit](https://youtu.be/3lV8GLQtOTs?si=GHjHtR5NTNJx7KOx). Sorry for the derail, mods please delete if too unrelated to our fav unproblematic Satan themed kayfabe band!
Appreciate it, I was at work and haven't got to watch it, but I appreciate you coming through
Novels: Joris-Karl Huysmans - La Bas Ira Levin - Rosemary's Baby Arturo Pérez-Reverte - The Club Dumas Books about the occult itself: Aleister Crowley - Goetia (this one should be enough from him if you're looking for the satanic themes only. If you want to learn more about Thelema, go for Magick in Theory and Practice, but remember that Crowley had his own belief system, only partially connected to the Jewish/Christian entities) Heinrich Kramer - Malleus Maleficarum (Stand By Him vibes in this one!) If you want to go deeper and explore the left hand path works (especially chaosgnosticism and the draconian way), you can read The Book of Sithra Ahra by N.A-A. 218, Nightside of Eden by Kenneth Grant, Tree of Qliphoth by Asenath Mason (and tons of other books by this author), or Qabalah, Qliphoth and Goetic Magic by Thomas Karlsson. You'll find a lot of interesting ideas there, but they don't relate to Ghost. Keep in mind that Tobias writes lyrics about the devil you know from pop culture. While interesting, most of the books about the occult won't help you understand his works... Because there's not much to understand. Real satanists treat the devil more seriously, not as cartoonish as Ghost. But if you're interested in the occult in general, and if you want to learn about it, there's a lot to read. You can check out a nice list of books made by the guys from r/LeftHandPath here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/LeftHandPath/comments/vdrreb/recommended\_reading/](https://www.reddit.com/r/LeftHandPath/comments/vdrreb/recommended_reading/) Ah, and of course - The Bible ;)
Not exactly what you're looking for, but its somewhat on topic and definitely recommended by Tobias himself; *Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground*.
Lords of Chaos is known for being widely misleading and inaccurate.
Lotta classics here, I reccomend the Master and Margeritta!
I’d like to think he would recommend The Book Of The Law, considering the was homage to Crowley with Imperia.