By: Chris Stead

It was so strange to see and hear the debate about Marilyn Manson for so many years. Is he goth? Is he not? Is he a poseur? There were the Mansonites of the 90’s and that fad faded with time. You hardly hear the term any more. More often than not Marilyn Manson has gotten too outlandish in his makeup to mimic. Not so easy as a couple of lines to recreate the Brandon Lee “Crow.” All of that aside, if there was a debate before, the new Manson album might have been just the thing to settle the debate. Full Story »

By: The Gothling

Hello again, my dark and lovlies. Since I started this column, I’ve pretty much covered all the basics of fashion advice that I felt were truly important and necessary. That being said, I’m now on the lookout for things that will help my loyal readers really perk up their wardrobes and expand their Gothic horizons. Full Story »

By: James Treagus

To see all of the comics by James Treagus, please check out 7ShadesOfBlack.com.

By: H. M. Garber

“Mill Avenue: Vexations” is the first volume in an online series by Kyt Dotson. With a new take on mysticism that combines music with magic, Kyt has created something refreshing and new. Her characters seem as familiar as old friends. Her descriptions are swift and clean, letting her character’s actions fill the reader’s imagination. Her dialogue is neither stiff nor fake, and the writing is intriguing and fresh. Full Story »

By: Chris Stead

Ooky Spooky
Voltaire

If you felt like there was something missing with Voltaire’s last release, i.e. the comedy, you will be glad to hear that he is back in fine form with his newest album reflecting on the seedier aspects of life like prostitution, trips to Mexico, bombing a certain city and a Star Wars influenced intrusion on Luke Skywalker’s posterior. Truly listening enjoyment from beginning to end, although I wouldn’t recommend playing this one too loudly at work. I have gotten a couple of shocked looks because of lyrical content. Full Story »

By: Chris Stead

Xperimental Eros
Released by Facets

This is something very different from what I expected going in. I was under the impression that this was going to be a look at erotica from several different perspectives. Rather this is a collection of, sometimes overly, artsy re-workings of old erotic video, and a strange look at film footage that is sometimes less than stimulating mentally or otherwise. This is not to say that there were not certain gems mixed in. Full Story »

By: Tanya Vazquez

Lacuna Coil
Karmacode

If you like gothic/symphonic metal like I do, you’re probably wondering if Lacuna Coil’s Karmacode is an album worth checking out. Out of all the albums Lacuna Coil has released, Karmacode is my least favorite. The combination of guitar lines, keyboard work, and contrasting dual female/male vocals help create their melodic sound. The thing I like best about Lacuna Coil is that they always seem to create music that goes perfectly with Scabbia’s voice. However, in this album they keep the same beat and rhythmic patterns time after time which makes the album really boring. It would seem they have abandoned their old music style to satisfy the likings of a more mainstream audience even though they are pretty well known. I’m not very happy with this album due to this sort of “selling out”. I wouldn’t recommend this album to new fans of this band. If they liked the newer stuff more, it’s not a good thing because they will be missing out on timeless classics from the band.

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By: Amy McCain

300

****1/2 stars
Starring: Gerard Butler, Vincent Regan, Lena Headey, David Wenham, and Michael Leggett.
Directed by Zack Snyder
Released March 9th 2007 (USA)

What can be said about 300 Spartan Warriors clad in nothing but a helmet, a cape, and a loin cloth fighting off thousands upon thousands of invaders? A lot more than I can fit into this column! The visual effects in combination of the style it was filmed in made for a spectacular 117 minutes. This rated R movie features not only a historical background, stunning cinematography, and reeling plot line, but also some steamy sex scenes. There is some nudity, and not to mention blood, lots and lots of blood.

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By: Chris Stead

Emilie Autumn
Laced/Unlaced
2007

Being that this is Laced and Unlaced (i.e. Her corset) then it would only make sense that the Laced CD is much more of her classical roots. It is in spades. If you are looking for some well-produced and well-played classical music, this is the CD for you. I can’t think of many people that can argue with Bach, Corelli and the like. If, however you were much more enamored with her previous effort, Opheliac, then Unlaced is for you. Emilie describes her music as Violindustrial. I think that some of the songs a little more Violinwave, but all the same, very enjoyable. Definitely a unique take on a wonderful instrument from a talented artist.

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By: Chris Stead

Asherra, having just started a new job, has been a little swamped lately so I’ll be your guide again through another column on the third generation. Let’s consider movies for just a moment. Visual media is such a heavy influence on culture today that it seems only reasonable that it would influence the goth culture. Though on network television it has become painfully obvious that the Goth culture is having a bigger impact on the popular world that vice versa, but this is not so with regard to movies.

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By: The Gothling

So it’s happened. You finally landed that job that will pay for everything you need, and most of what you want. The only problem is, it’s a corporate job, complete with corporate dress code. What’s a Goth girl (or guy) to do?

Luckily, most corporate clothing is already black, which makes searching for clothes in your closet easier. The problem is, most of the skirts we like to wear are too short or have too many details, like D-rings, corseting, and patterning (think plaid schoolgirl skirts). If you have any pencil skirts with smaller, less noticeable corseting, you could probably get away with them at the office. Full Story »

By: Auntie Pan Pan

Greetings fans and freaks! Auntie Pan Pan here! I have arrived to bring some shiny darkness in your bleak little paths to foretell and see the future…or at least try…you Scorpios always amaze me…especially what you can do with whipped cream and a chainsaw…BUT I DIGRESS! Behold your astrological forecast for the next few weeks! Enjoy and run amok in the night!!!

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By: Asherra

We all know the traditional Goth styles: the Goth-a-Billy, the Punker, the Vampire, the Death Rocker, the Cyber-Freak, the Rivethead….etc. But have you met the newest student to the class? Everyone, meet the Belly Dance Goth.

Now I know what you are thinking. “Wait a minute, Belly Dance!?!?!? Where in the wide world of Goth does that come into play? What can Belly dance (that’s that Egyptian thing where they wear a lot of sequins and rat their hair really big, right?) and goth possibly have in common??” Believe it or not, they have a LOT in common. Let me ‘splain. No, there is too much, let me sum up: Full Story »

By: The Gothling

As noted at the end of my last column, our crowd has more accessories to work into our wardrobe than your average normie. Along with the usual earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings, there are other accessories to be worked into a good club outfit. We Goths get to play around with things like arm-warmers, gloves, and hair/dreadfalls.

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By: Chris Stead

Man and Machines
Self-Titled EP

Not just another Horror-electro group. They give the whole notion of horror-electro a new spin by adding a dual gender sound to their work. The work is cohesive, alluring, a little scary and very dance-able. Nothing like Blood, Guts Rhythm and Steel to get your blood pumping.

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