Its been two years since Swedish symphonic metal founder Therion last played in the states and Los Angeles was fortunate enough to be the third show to kick off Therion’s world tour to support their newest release, “Gothic Kabblah”. I arrived in time to see Aesma Daeva (see interview and CD review). When stepping into the Key Club, upon hearing Lori Lewis’ vocals (who also happens to be one of 4 live singers for Therion) I felt as if Lewis was a siren and she was enchanting her victims. There were times when Lewis sung emotionally and power which reminded me of Within Temptation’s front lady Sharon Den Adel. When Aesma Daeva did a cover of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”, I couldnt understand a word Lewis said. The crowd clapped and cheered appreciatively after their 1 hour set. As soon as Christofer Johnsson stepped out unto the stage, the crowd was excited but it wasnt until all the members of Therion stepped into the stage that the crowd went wild.

By: Chris Stead

A little horror, some punk and metal, sugar, spice and everything’s not so nice. Jonah, Ryann and Steve produce some hard-hitting, in your face rock. It does no justice to say that they are playing metal-influenced punk. No, Schoolyard Heroes are the new lo-fi all-stars. The entire album is a slap in the face with a board with nails in it, but like the most outrageous car crash you can’t tear your attention away. The instrumentals are fierce guitars and thundering drums while Ryann belts out the unmistakable siren call luring you into her world of horror. Full Story »

By: Tanya Vasquez

Most of my friends know me to love symphonic metal but I have never really found any bands in the USA that have piqued my interest until recently. Dremora is the brainchild of Thomas.  Here is what he had to say about his band. Full Story »

By: Tanya Vasquez

Leaves’ Eyes played at the Key Club on a date for their second USA tour as a support act for a power metal band. They were an opening act for Kamelot along with several other bands including two progressive metal groups. The first of these was very mainstream and pop like. They were fairly reminiscent of Linkin Park. The second band however focused more on the harsh male gutteral vocals and it was hard to tell when a song ended or started. Full Story »

By: Chris Stead

A Dark Noel
Projekt Records

Let me start by stating that I am personally not a fan of holiday music. That being said I would like to say that I would listen to this album any time, holiday or not. The album starts with a haunting rendition of Carol of the Bells, which is probably my favorite track. Beyond Arcanta’s beautiful rendition, there are several well known artists performing for this compilation, including Voltaire, The Cruxshadows, Black Tape for a Blue Girl and Faith and the Muse. This is the holiday album to get this year both for Goths and non-Goths alike. A masterful collection from a legendary Goth and ambient label.
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By: Chris Stead

There is a new sound emerging in the music world and it sounds like a little piece of vintage goth/punk heaven. This sound is being produced by a group called The Horrors. A little bit punk, a little bit electro, dressed in black and made up to look like the children of the 60’s british invasion and the 80’s new wave, The Horrors are making noise like something that hasn’t passed through the scene since the early eighties. Full Story »

By: Tanya Vasquez

During the fall, Aesma Daeva will be on tour as one of the opening acts for Therion and their latest CD Dawn of the New Athens. With a mixture of symphonic and metal sounds, Aesma Daeva is crafting a sound that is shared by few. Aesma Daeva has a similar sound to the band that they are opening for. Clearly, Therion chose this band with care as the sound is an appropriate match. Full Story »

By: Chris Stead

Ex-Voto is a group that is legendary with the Goth and Deathrock crowd. Their legacy reaches back to the late eighties and into the current year. Their career has spanned decades where they have made memorable and lasting songs, considered classics in the Goth culture. Their latest album, released in 2006, Doloroso, with songs like Seven Sisters, it is doubtful that they will be forgotten any time soon. Through moves, the pain of change followed by rediscovery and even a hurricane, this band consistently pours their hearts into the music they make. Influenced by the world around them, their emotions as well as the people they encounter every day, Ex-Voto makes music for the soul. Melissa shares a little insight into the band and their world, and the tapestry of their music. Full Story »

By: Chris Stead

A hush falls across the crowd and the screens set at the back of the stage light up white. Little cheers go up here and there as the crew make the last preparations to the stage. VNV Nation makes a regular pass through Southern California on any given tour. The last time, however, that VNV Nation played in Los Angeles, they played at Das Bunker, the legendary industrial club, which celebrated its tenth year in late 2006 and there were many people that weren’t able to make it. Full Story »

By: Amy McCain, intro by Chris Stead

Voltaire is a name that is known well in two specific communities. One, the literary community, with regard to the French political satirist and the other, the Goth community with regard to the satirical songwriter from New York. The thing they both have in common is the satire, something that distinctly separates them is the span of centuries. The contemporary Voltaire has had his hands in the Gothic culture for a very long time, as he put it in his book “Paint It Black,” he first tried the Gothic aesthetic in his teen years with the “dark hippie” look. Aside from this he has also made countless animations and written several albums. As far as the Gothic community goes, Voltaire is a household term just like black clothes and crushed velvet. Full Story »

By: Chris Stead

Standing on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Lemoyn, I see three women walk toward me from the club half a block down. The one in front introduces herself to me as Aimee and then gestures behind her and says “This is my mom and our drummer, Chelsea.” This is how I met half of theSTART. We walk into Masa, the café on the corner and shortly behind us is Jamie, the instrumental genius behind the CD as well as Aimee’s significant other of the past 8 years or more. As we sit around the table, it doesn’t feel quite as much like a band as it does a comfortable family. Full Story »

By: Chris Stead

Type O Negative is a band that has quite a history and is a name known by many in the goth and metal scenes. Known most distinctly for their early nineties hits “Black No. 1″ and “Christian Woman,” they have grown far from those quirky 10-minute songs. Over the past 14 post-Bloody-Kisses-release years, the band has grown and changed quite a bit. With some inner turmoil as well as the effect of time, thier mindset seems to be significantly different now than ever before.

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By: Chris Stead

Welcome to Alice’s musical incarnation. The Divine Madness is what it would sound like if one had visited Wonderland and then made music about it: dark, intriguing and addictive. They have been around for just about a year now and in that time they have created quite a buzz. Currently they are working on recording their second album. Their first, “Secrets,” was independently produced and distributed. A two-disc opus, this album represents a body of work from a group that could potentially be as prolific as the Lennon-McCartney team of yesteryear.

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By: Chris Stead

Ostia, an ethereal group out of the late nineties, produced and released a masterful ethereal album, “From the Aether” in 1997. Onced released, the group returned to that self-same “Aether.” Moving to different parts of Australia, Ostia lost the ability to persue anything more together for 10 years. For most groups, this kind of setback early on would be a major blow and would spell certain demise for the group. Magically, this did not happen with Ostia.

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By: Chris Stead

From the dark streets of San Diego at night comes Noir Project. A project started by William Wall in 2006, the sound and vision of the band has gone through some growing pains and a few revisions. Now William has set his sights more clearly on the target and is working to match reality with his vision. Dressed in a suit and tie, William is encouraging a classy look in what can be a dirty landscape known as modern goth-influenced electronic music. So, suit pressed and freshly re-wired electronics in hand he heads off to meet the world head-on.

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