By: Chris Stead

Asherra needed a little time off so this month I am filling her spot in the columns.

Being that I am from a slightly older Goth camp than Asherra, then I thought that it might be nice to reminisce on what Goth was in earlier years. This thought was majorly inspired by the fact that I got a copy of “A Life Less Lived: The Goth Box” for Christmas. This is a collection of songs that have helped shape the face of Goth as it is today.

A thought from a relatively young Goth on a bulletin board has been bothering me for about a month now and I thought that it was time I aired my grievances. The sentiment was something like this: Full Story »

By: Chris Stead

Album Reviews

Cindergarden
Underground Light Machine

This is darkwave. This is electrogoth. Jaymie redefines what dark electronic and dark ambient should be with this album. The tracks are strong, expressive, emotive and accessible. The whole album is expertly executed and aims to strike a chord with your deepest emotions and darkest thoughts. By the end of the album you are left aching for more. Exquisite darkness that is painfully wonderful.

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By: The Gothling

Accessories to Die For

Okay, so you’ve got you club outfit on, everything looks great. Shoes, pants/skirt, corset/fishnet shirt/vest, and the hair and make-up are done. You open your jewelery drawer and…now what? What to wear that will compliment your look?

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By: Asherra

I was scrolling through a few dark culture forums the other day, reading posts here and there and I came to a forum where someone had posted a picture. The picture was relatively artistic in nature with high contrast and deep color saturation. Obviously this picture had been professionally taken. At first glimpse the content was of a “naughty nurse” however that description proved to be an understatement. There was latex everywhere! The woman was leaning over, her white latex corset came just under her breasts and her nipples were taped over with white pasties in the shape of a medical cross. In her left hand she held a needle and on her face was a smug, yet seductive smile. My first opinion was that the picture was the epitome of what *I* knew to be ‘gothic’ style but to my surprise, peoples comments did not reflect my assumption.

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By: The Gothling

Shoes. One word, one syllable. Seems like a small thing, but the right pair of shoes can make or break the look of your club wear. Don’t believe me? Picture this: You got your hair to fall just right, for the first time in weeks, your eyeliner did exactly what you wanted it to. Your collar, cuffs, and belt match perfectly, and your top and bottoms show you off at your very best. On your feet… a pair of black $1 flip-flops from Wally-World.

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By: Chris Stead

Bella Morte
Bleed the Grey Sky Black

Take everything that makes dark music good and combine it in one group. What would you get? Bella Morte. Bleed the Grey Scky Black is an exercise in greatness. From the opening track, On the Edge, to the album closing, Haunted, this is an outstanding album. If there is one CD that you get this year this should be it! Not generally for the dance crowd, Punk, Metal and old-school Goth influences abound. What are you doing still reading this? Buy the CD already.

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By: Chris Stead

Looking for a present for that hard-to-shop-for Goth on your list? We have compiled a list of ideas that will please them all!

Good links to start with: Full Story »

By: Asherra

As it exists in the present day, it’s hard to imagine that the Goth subculture came from the same root as the current punk scene. Goths are to punks what vampires are to werewolves, evolved from the same ancestor yet as different as siblings can get. When I think of punk, I associate it with hot pink mohawks, sleeveless jean-jackets with Dead Kennedys and anarchy patches on the back, and the all purpose red tartan taper slacks (adorned with an appropriate number of chains and zippers, of course).

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By: The Gothling

So as many of you may have noticed, we ladies on the scene are mad for corsets, over-bust, under-bust, waist-cincher, you name it and we wear it, have it, or want it. There is much more to wearing and caring for corsets than you may think, though. I, in my never ending quest for knowledge, have mercilessly interrogated (meaning, I actually asked) a girlfriend who worked at Frederick’s, and scoured the web pages of many a corsetiere, to bring you the best advice on the fit and care of corsets.

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By: Chris Stead

Crud

Devil at the Wheel

A good little piece of dirty industrial rock, this album will remind you of the sleaze that was La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume 666 by White Zombie, but in such a good way. This album is raunchy goodness to the last drop. If I had to choose between a sandwich and this album I would buy the album.

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By: Asherra

For today’s generation, Goth is, was, and always will be something that has existed. For us it’s a way of life, a means for kids who are segregated from traditional society to become part of a larger and accepting group. They wear black, look dreary, and are into weird and satirical humor that involves dark references juxtaposed with tacos. Comics about little dead girls and homicidal maniacs were the required reading in school and television shows about horribly misguided invaders from other planets acted as our teachers. Everyone in this generation can quote ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and a viewing of ‘Edward Scissorhands’ is sacred. Tim Burton is their Savior. They are a weird conglomerate of freakish teens and young adults who never outgrew Halloween as a kid and spend too much money on Wet ‘N’ Wild black eyeliner. They are united by their eclectic music choice, enjoying bands like VNV Nation, Covenant, and K.M.F.D.M.

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By: Chris Stead

Blind Faith and Envy
http://www.blindfaithandenvy.com
Murder of a Girl

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By: The Gothling

Club Fashion
Introduction and the Basics

I know what most of you are thinking: “Who is this chick? And why does Gothic Angst need a fashion column? I mean, come on. It’s Goth. All you really need to do is wear black.” Not so, I say! There should be a level of style to your club wear, a rhyme and reason to the madness that is the scene. That’s what I’m here for. (That and Chris thought I was the best for the job!)

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