Ghost was founded around October/November 1988. After only two rehearsals, the band recorded a self-titled demo and two weeks later performed to critical acclaim at the Opole Festival contest.
After the Leśniczówka contest in Chorzów, Ghost played in front of ten thousand people at the Metal Battle Festival. In 1989 the “Noc Demona” demo was released and the band played various important underground festivals: S’Thrash’ydło (Ciechanów), Drrrama (Pruszcz Gdański), Thrash Fest (Wągrowiec) and Thrash Meeting (Gdańsk). At the turn of 1989 and 1990 Ghost tours the USSR, only to be put on hold until 1992. 
In July 1992 the band returns to playing gigs, with Mieczysław Klimek replacing Ryszard Łakomiec. In 1993 Ghost recorded the “Bad Obsession” album to be released on Carnage Records. At the 1993 Marlboro Rock In Festival Ghost received the second prize, surpassed only by a very popular grunge band Illusion. In the same year the band performed at the Jarocin Festival and has been spotted by Andrzej Mackiewicz from Loud Out Records. The label released Ghost’s first album, “The Lost of Mercy”. The exceptional quality of the record is confirmed by one of the reviews from www.darkplanet.pl:

“The Lost of Mercy” is in my opinion one of the best Polish records in this genre. Ghost delivers ten fine-sounding songs, that can only bring joy to the heart of metal maniacs. No wonder, as the band is inspired mainly by Morbid Angel and Bolt Thrower. The record sounds juicy and organic. Both intense and selective riffs mixed with Morbid Angel-like speed do impress –even more, when the band plays slow, that’s when all the perfection is audible. The songs might not have the most complicated structures, yet there are enough fine riffs and solo parts here to consider the record a valuable one. One may object to the vocal performance – deep and illegible growl brings monotony to the picture, but that’s the only aspect of “The Lost of Mercy” I have any reservations about. Only full-length album of this forgotten band is surely a record you have to listen to. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find  and costs plenty. If you’d ask me about a hidden treasure of Polish metal, I’d point at “The Lost of Mercy”. This may not be a groundbreaking album, but surely an outstanding one.

Krzysztof Berlik: At that time, Jarocin has been a festival where every rock band should or at least wanted to appear. It was a huge music event with an unforgettable atmosphere, but most of all a great opportunity to meet the fans, friends and new people in general. It was in Jarocin where we met Loud Out Records’ owner Andrzej Mackiewicz. This was supposed to be a breakthrough moment for the band. The deal appeared to be rewarding and everything seemed to be going fine with ourselves under a professional label’s wings. We recorded “The Lost of Mercy” in Modern Sound Studio in Gdynia. At that time the place provided decent equipment and conditions. For the first time we had no strict limits of recording time and a chance of finally achieving the sound we wanted. As for the final outcome, I wasn’t fully satisfied. I guess that during the mixes we’ve been overworked with nighttime sessions and it could have been done much better. The record was released in Poland first, then with Nuclear Blast distribution in Europe and New World Symphony in the US and Canada.

1994 marks the end of a certain period in the band’s activity. Ghost plays in Jarocin and Metalmania Festival with Morbid Angel.
Krzysztof Berlik: Indeed, 1994 was a great year for us. “The Lost of Mercy” was finally released after a long period of waiting and met our expectations. The band performed in Jarocin, as well as at the Metalmania as a result of our Loud Out deal. We thought it was a great opportunity to promote the record and it was an honour to play with Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel, whose music we were fascinated with. At the time It was our crowning achievement.

Krzysztof Jankowski: Playing on such festivals was  another step forward and an honor  for us.
While asked about reasons for putting the band on hold, Jankowski says: Wrong decisions, line-up problems, everything got fucked up.
Krzysztof Berlik: As I mentioned, Ghost had no professional management. On a certain level of popularity, it gets really difficult. We had families, jobs and plenty of other stuff to take care of, all of this interfered with our activity as a band. Loud Out Records, a label who’s been supporting us so far, went bankrupt. Despite the fact that the label didn’t fulfill the financial and marketing conditions, the contract obliged the band to work with Loud Out for the next four years. The situation was really unclear. Then the court cases started and we lacked motivation to carry on. It was a fate we shared with many other Loud Out bands. I decided to quit the band and give up my activity as a musician. 
It’s also not true that the band has been put on hold. The core of Ghost played on (from the end of 1990 to the beginning of 1992 – W. Lis), they worked on a new material, played occasional gigs and tried some new directions with various musicians. The guitarist Dariusz Engler started doing the vocals. I remember that one day Darecki and Klimek forced me out of my house and took me to a rehearsal. That was the beginning of Operation “Renown”.

Why wasn’t “Renown” followed by a full-length record?
Krzysztof Berlik: In my opinion it was “Renown” that finally reflected the true face of Ghost. In spite of the fact that we entered our favorite Sławek Łosowski recording studio almost unprepared, “Renown” might be our most mature recording to date. I think we had enough strong features to make ourselves known in the Polish music scene as well as abroad. We negotiated with various labels, but to no avail, despite the fact that the demo gained positive reviews. We didn’t want to give “Renown” to someone interested only in quick profit. This recording has never been officially released, our most dedicated fans were given the opportunity to download it. The band played some gigs with full line-up before falling into deterioration.

Krzysztof Jankowski: Despite the vocalist’s return and a having played a few gigs, we we didn’t have that internal drive we used to have. People moved on to do other things, and the end became inevitable. I was the last man standing from the old line-up. Further attempts to reunite the band came to nothing.

In 1999, when Renown was already recorded, Ghost was joined by guitarist Krzysztof Dobrowolski: At that time I was playing in Grin, a band from Sopot in desperate search for a good bass player. We had some summer gigs booked and needed a reliable, available person. Enters Mietek Klimek, who, in exchange for his help, brought me to Ghost a couple of months later. I must admit I had a dilemma, since Nergal, who was right after recording of “Pandemonic Incantations”, offered me a job in Behemoth… I declined in favour of Ghost… Do you think I made the right decision (laughs)?
I asked Krzysztof how many gigs he played with Ghost and the bands situation after “Renown” was recorded…
Krzysztof Dobrowolski: Since the band was at the end of its days, it was only a year of common playing and rehearsing the new material. Krzysiek Berlik followed Romek Pegza and left the band, he was replaced by the rhythm guitarist Darek Engler, who had no idea of how to do the vocals and write lyrics. Just when everything seemed to be on an even keel, me, Mały and Mietek decided to quit the band in favor of the aforementioned Grin. Darek was left alone with the already composed songs for the next album. He didn’t break down, got a new line-up and carried on with gigs. Ghost disbanded permanently two years later. Reunited in 1998, the band  took off to conquer the somewhat stagnated underground scene with the terrific Renown. Due to a great management of Piotr Chlebowicz, the record was spread and sent to every possible label and media oriented on this kind of music. In the meantime, ten new songs have been written for a record that was supposed to follow “The Lost of Mercy”. In the summer of 1999 Ghost was about to embark on a month-long Pain Domination Tour with Devilyn and Disloyal, around the biggest Polish cities. It remains unclear why they didn’t play, yet it was the reason of Romek Pegza and Krzysiek Berlik departure. The rest is history.
“Renown” is spinning in my CD player as we speak, and yet again I’m being mangled by its perfect sound and awesome song simplicity. Pity it’s a forgotten value in the metal of today… I myself see two periods in Ghost’s carreer – the first finished with “Bad Obsession” and the second from “The Lost of Mercy” up until the very end. I strongly prefer the latter!
Thrashing Madness Productions reissues “The Lost of Mercy” and “Bad Obsession” albums, with “Renown” and “Noc Demona” demos as bonuses respectively.
Leszek Wojnicz-Sianożęcki, Thrashing Madness Productions’ boss: I do have a huge affection most of all towards “Bad Obsession”, which was the first Ghost recording I heard. It’s perfect. Hard to believe nobody has re-released it on CD or vinyl until now. I also love the “Noc Demona” demo – although “The Lost of Mercy” is the best-sounding Ghost record, it is “Noc Demona” and “Bad Obsession” I value most. After all those years that passed, those songs still recall the same emotions, there is a certain strength in them. This might be the reason why time didn’t drain them of their power. It’s a great honor for me that Thrashing Madness can release those timeless classics of our death metal underground.
Krzysztof Berlik: Sometimes I wonder why things that seemed unreachable back in the day are so easy nowadays. Heavy music is back on tracks. Old bands reunite, record albums, play concerts – normality is finally here. Bands are not as dependent on their labels and managements as they used to be, it’s much easier for them to reach wider audience. It’s flattering that, although time passes and the scene is crowded, people still remember us. I’ve been living in London for many years and even here the name Ghost is familiar to metal maniacs. I get lots of emails, people find us through social media and ask how are we doing, if there’s any chance for us to reunite. From time to time labels approach us with offers. It all reassures me that we did some good work despite some hard times and circumstances. Reissue of our old records is a fine opportunity to remind people who attended our gigs about our band. We also want to introduce ourselves to the younger generation of death metal maniacs as a band that to some tiny extent contributed to a genre that has grown to be a worldwide sensation. I am awaiting it impatiently. My almost ten years-long quest with Ghost is marked with great moments, thousands of kilometers travelled and unforgettable, interesting people I met thanks to playing music. It’s also hard work, sacrifices, but most of all a great passion I could share with others. I’d like to thank all those who stood with us during better or worse times, those who still remember us as well as those, who come across our music for the first time and appreciate it. My gratitude goes to Thrashing Madness, who decided to re-release this stuff. I sincerely hope that this record will, at least in a small scale, recall the roots of Polish death metal and show the road we travelled during our activity.
Krzysztof Jankowski: It’s awesome that someone still wants to listen to our music – says Krzysztof Jankowski.
Stanisław Wójcik on the reissues: Strange, and at the same time terrific feeling. Plus a huge part of my life. As I’m in touch with most of the original members, I wonder how they will react. This might be a chance to meet and chat about the good ol’ (or rather dark and kinda stupid) times over a beer or a drink.
Krzysztof Dobrowolski: it’s hard to grade this kind of releases due to age, sentimental values as well as my own contribution – says. Let’s try, though. First one I’ve heart was “Noc Demona”. I thought you can’t play any faster than that - time proved me wrong and Carnage Records released Bad Obsession, a demo compared to Vader’s “Morbid Reich”, which was supposed to bring Ghost to a level equal to the band from Olsztyn! Incredibly dark, oldschool death metal with amazing progress  made since “Noc Demona”. You can actually hear the band is well aware of its  value and extremity! But the real face of Ghost was to be presented on “The Lost of Mercy”. I heard it for the first time back in 1993 and I thought they played like nobody else in Poland. Believe me, the record blew me away and I’ve been listening to it almost non-stop thanks a new technical achievement called Walkman (laughs). This brutal, hyper-heavy and perfectly sounding record still shines after twenty years!

Marzena Miot (Genbandencbery’zine) : My memories related to Ghost are terrific musical energy, lots of laughs, a sea of alcohol and awesome people. I met them through our common friends back in 1992, or maybe even 1991… in Kwadratowa club in Gdańsk. I remember a shiver of excitement. I was aware of who they are, I heard their music and now I got to know the stars of our scene – in person! Now that was something! Especially for a 16-17-year-old girl, who was preparing the first issue of her zine. I announced the fact and Krzychu (the vocalist) offered to fill a page if I’d be interested… We shot a common photo, he gave me his address and asked to send him questions. I thought I was going to piss my pants! I didn’t, yet I fell down the stairs out of sheer excitement. Luckily the gentlemen from Ghost helped me out, but I was so ashamed. The rest is history. I put an article on Ghost in the first issue of my zine. Later they invited me to a couple of their rehearsals, where we had tons of laughter. I remember they were rehearsing “Bad Obsession” songs at the time, maybe that’s why it is my favorite record of theirs. Later there were Drrrama Festivals and other gigs. Ghost were terrific people in general, absolutely professional in their attitude. Too bad they parted their ways.

Mariola Pokrzywińska (helped organising Drrrama Festival): I can’t remember when exactly I met the guys from Ghost, but it’s been a while. Common sorties, same problems and the time we spent under the same roof of a local community centre. Our relationship were siblings-like: they were like older brothers to me, so I might say we’ve known each other our whole life. The gig I recall in particular was the 1994 Węgorzewo Festival. I was the one to draw lots on bands’ order. For Ghost, I picked the third stage at high noon under a full July sun. They played a terrific gig though and won the third prize. Which of their records I value most? I guess that would be “Bad Obsession”, also by sentiment, as it was the time of our “voyage together”…

Izabela Wysocka (friend of Mariola Pokrzywińska): I used to hang around Pruszcz Gdański Community Centre back in the summer of 1988. The place had a special atmosphere and was perfect for rehearsals, so Ghost quickly made it their home. Musical as well as visual performance of the band was awesome, I could experience that both in the rehearsal room as well as during gigs. I liked the dudes for their sense of humor and modesty, without it our common trip to a cancelled Mayhem concert in Stalowa Wola would have been a total disaster. Six months later we had my funniest trip ever with their merry team all over the place and people on their way to work crowded in the back of the coach. Whoever came around, was greeted with a hellish growl. In Pruszcz, we didn’t manage to pull a friend out of the train, so they put an address card around his neck and let him go… Luckily, his destination was about 40 kilometers away. They were a team you could spend hours with. With time, I visited Pruszcz less frequently and we lost touch. I still consider “Bad Obsession” and “The Lost of Mercy” great.

Krzysztof Cybulski (Hektor): I think the first time I saw Ghost live was in 1989 at the Drrrama Festival. Fun fact is that no one has ever seen them or heard of them before. They just came out of the blue. Rumor said that Staszek Wójcik had some sort of secret weapon for the festival, which appeared to be Ghost – a highly proficient quintet onstage. The songs were too complicated for my taste, they had frequent tempo changes and hyperspeed. But that was the spirit of the times, Ghost were not the only one… The band sounded and played well, but… I couldn’t find anything original in their music. Either way, I do respect their technical skills and energy… I didn’t follow their demo recordings. We played a couple gig together, drank some booze, they were really nice guys. Once I was asked if Hektor competed with Ghost, which was total nonsense. There was a moment when there were two good metal bands in Tri-city, pity Staszek Wójcik couldn’t contradict the Metal Mind Productions-related bands with a scene of our own… Too bad the band Tyran faded away so fast, they could have joined the horde. Our ways parted, Hektor has left the scene pretty fast and I lost sight of Ghost.

Wawrzyniec Chyliński (Against The Plagues, ex-Damnation): At the end of the 80’s Ghost was one of the pioneers of metal underground in Tri-city. Along with Jaguar, Tyran and Hektor they were the leading band attracting the most attention between 1988 and 1990. I’ve never had an opportunity to meet the band in person, yet as a young thrash/death maniac I used to go to their gigs in 1988 and 1989. I’ll never forget their concerts at the Drrrama Festival in Pruszcz Gdański. Back in the day it was one of the best bands in Poland, and “Noc Demona” was a cult demo, which I own to this day. I remember that the gigs at S’Thrash’ydło, Thrash Meeting and Thrash Fest were also terrific. The one I recall most is at Metalmania’1994, with Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse. I can’t understand what happened later and why the band has been put on hold… I respect them a lot and I’m glad I’ll be able to complete their discography thanks to Thrashing Madness Productions. Ghost was a very underrated, yet very important band for the Polish underground.

Marcin Świerszczyński (Ogotay, ex-Yattering): I got to know them by accident. Years ago I moved to Pruszcz Gdański, where a cult event – Drrrama Festival was taking place. I got involved in organizing it. My strongest memory with Ghost is our common trip to Metalmania’1994, where they played with Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse. As for the anecdotes, I remember a friend looking at a Mesa Boogie-like homemade amplifier and asking the band how they tune in during rehearsals. Darek answered, that it was pretty simple, death metal-style – either zero or ten. That was their sense of humor and attitude. Either you are committed on ten, or you do nothing (laughs).

Jarosław Misterkiewicz (Trauma, ex-Thanatos): First time I saw Ghost was at the Metal Battle in Katowice, they were opening the festival. Sodom, which was very popular in Poland at the end of the 80’s, played as a headliner, so Spodek was full. The sound was lame, which is a general rule for the supporting acts, so I don’t remember much from their concert except for the name. Our ways came together a couple of months later in Pruszcz Gdański Community Centre, where my band Thanatos has been invited to play with Ghost on the 04.30.1989, a day before the important national holiday. The place was unique, since a popular metal festival Drrrama has been taking place there. It was also a rehearsal room for Ghost and a workplace of their manager, Staszek Wójcik. The man was organizing the festival and supporting Ghost as much as he could, so they had a really good start. Staszek was exceptionally resourceful and faithful to a rule, that a bottle of booze opens almost all doors. I remember that due to summer strikes in Gdańsk Shipyard the Militia were harassing innocent citizens all over the Tri-city. On the 26th of August 1989 ZOMO forces surrounded the festival area and things looked really dangerous from an inside point of view. Fortunatelly none of the Millitia officers entered the festival, thanks to Staszek, who used to drink vodka with the comissioner. I know little of the member’s past, but Ghost have been technically proficient since the very beginning. Both Darek and Roman were great guitar players and had some solid, juicy sound for standards of that time. Also their drummer Mały was an extraordinary musician. Thanatos and Ghost played together a couple of times in Tri-city and Pruszcz Gdański, we’ve been also meeting during other events around the country. In 2010 Ghost ex-guitarist Krzysztof Dobrowolski played with Trauma as a live member

Tomasz Skuza (Quo Vadis): At that time I’ve been meeting Ghost on various gigs or parties, but one of them I remembered in particular… Quo Vadis and a band from Szczecin called Idiosyncrazys were on our way by train, where crazy stuff was going on… We arrived to Katowice and came across Ghost and Smirnoff, then we’ve been waiting for the organizer, like, forever…  Finally someone came along and told us the man got sick and was taken by a medicopter, bullshit like that. We had a drink to let off some steam and went back to the station in order to head back to Szczecin through Wrocław… There, we had some weird encounters and adventures in a local bar (laughs). I’m sending my regards to Ghost!
Jeżeli jesteś naprawdę opętany przez śmierć i nie wymię kasz przy kapeli grającej Speed / Thrash z prędkością 10000 km/h,  to GHOST jest dla Ciebie. Miłego odbioru.
If you are possessed by death and can handle a speed/thrash band at 10000 kilometers an hour, Ghost is for you!
Wojciech Lis