By: Chris Stead

Goth Help Us is a humanity based group focused on what the Goth culture can do for humanity, as the motto says, “Serving humanity from the underground up.” Started by Rebecca Hohm in mid-July of 2006, this organization that has been around for a mere 1 year has been growing by leaps an bounds. It is understandable with the fact that Goths are generally emotionally driven people, and helping humanity is something that gives an emotional being an outlet. Aside from the overall goodwill that is felt by people that are helped by this organization, Goth Help Us is also empowering Goths to redefine how the mainstream views our subculture. This has been demonstrated quite well by the San Diego chapter which we talked about in the May issue. Rebecca was good enough to give us some of her time amidst her increasingly busy schedule of good works. 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: 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

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

Epica
Consign To Oblivion

If you’re a fan of Tarja Turunen and Sharon Den Adel of Within Temptation, and are looking for something in the middle, Epica’s Consign to Oblivion is something worth checking out. Simone Simons sounds something like Francine Boucher of Echoes of Eternity with Tarja’s vocal control and a mezzo-soprano/soprano vocal range. Together this combination makes Simone the melodic siren she is. The background keyboard work sounds as if you were gently touching a pond making ripples in the water. Full Story »

By: H.M. Garber

The yellowed walls, peeling paint and cracked molding appeared sinister. Brent felt his body decaying like the old mansion. He existed here with only Aunt Agnes and his private nurse, Robyn. Abandoned by the rest of his family, Brent wondered how his parents or even his sister justified leaving him at eleven years of age. Yes they supported him financially but never visited, called or even sent flowers. He didn’t know if they were alive or dead, and sometimes wondered why he still cared. Full Story »