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Griffinvox’s Lord Athanor with his Sirens Dark Arts Ltd - would you buy a used green bin from this lot?! Unit 36, 10-50 Willow Street, London EC2A 4BH, UK Tel: 020 7729 7666 publisher Miranda Yardley [email protected] Editor Joy Lasher [email protected] Design Darrell Mayhew [email protected] With Special Thanks To John Biscomb, Louise Brown, Charlie Hall, James Hoare, James Minton PRINTING Wyndeham Heron ©2009 Dark Arts Ltd. ISSN # 2042-1885

German electrowave act are materials. “It didn’t cost any more to like Nomads and are spearheading a new campaign produce,” Athanor says, “and the same happily producing ethical wares with a thatA encourages to go green and goes for our t-shirts, which are made dark theme and mineral-based make-up it’s being supported by Greenpeace. from bamboo fibres.” companies are starting to realise not Cover picture Ester Segarra Griffinvox, fronted by the delightfully- On the surface, goth culture is everyone wants to wear pastel shades. Cover model Maleficent Martini (see page 5) named Lord Athanor, are behind Goth about as eco-unfriendly as possible Griffinvox hope more artists will Hair by For Earth which they hope will inspire – for starters aerosol-based hairsprays follow their lead and so far they’ve Marino Lambrix www.myspace.com/marino.lambrix us all to do our bit for the planet. But might not contain CFCs anymore but generated interest from a number of it’s not just about using energy-saving the propellant used in them is still underground acts including VNV Nation lightbulbs and recycling, Lord Athanor damaging to the environment. Then and XP8. wants us all to go the extra mile. there’s all that clothing – if you’re “Bands can do their bit by making “I’m a trained druid,” he tells us, wearing a bootleg band t-shirt or a sure they buy electrical equipment “so the environment is very important cheap goth dress, check where it was that has an ‘off’ button and not just 4. BONESHAKERS: New bands to me and I think the goth audience made. Many items produced outside ‘standby’,” Lord Athanor adds. “And to rattle your bones are more receptive than most to green the EU not only give labourers a bum when they’re rehearsing, avoid buying 6. issues, so it seemed a logical place deal with their wages but could contain heavily-packaged junk food. Not only is 8. to start. People think we’re a selfish sulphur-based dyes. These damage it bad for the planet but it’s bad for your 10. LEAVES’ EYES subculture but I want to show them we the environment during manufacture health as well! 11. EPICA care!” but can also cause skin rashes and “The summer heatwaves and 12. DARK STUFF: Cool stuff Griffinvox launched their campaign certain types of cancer when they’re flooding we’ve just had show us Mother worth robbing graves for earlier this year with performance art worn. It also goes without saying that Nature isn’t happy so we must act now 13. LIVE REVIEWS at the Wave Gotik Treffen festival and PVC production leaves a very heavy before we kill her.” 14. CUTS FROM THE CRYPT: the release of their EP ‘Control Lost’, and toxic carbon footprint and it’s not Music and lifestyle which was printed with environmentally- widely recycled either. There’s some friendly inks and packaged with recycled good news though because companies

“I recycle as much “Being green has “I’m not an overly kitchen stuff and become a normal “We both green person but I packaging as I part of my everyday recycle our use public transport can – I think it life. I’ve put in as rubbish everywhere I go compensates for many energy-saving and try to ‒ admittedly this is because I can’t the petrol I burn when I am not using light bulbs as I can and I never leave buy biodegradable products but I’ll drive. I also make sure I put my the tube network. But that said my the telly on standby. I also recycle admit we don’t always make the right rubbish into the correct recycling bins car is 45-years-old and therefore a lot everything I can – I’d say I’m very eco- choices. Getting a cab often seems but that’s more so I don’t get fined!” greener than buying a new one.” friendly!” easier than waiting for the bus!” asks! Ballet! Bondage! It’s just a typical performance by hen there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the London-based Maleficent who are sort of a baroque the earth. And the same goes for the graveyard of versionM of KMFDM. Fronted by Italian ballerina Maleficent Martini goth.W 45 Grave were classed as one of the original deathrock and poet Mortimer Cain, the electro-industrial outfit have certainly bands of the ‘80s – singer Dinah Cancer’s ‘Bride Of Dracula’ had their share of dramatis personae since their creation in 2006.

look spawning a million imitators while her band’s punchy pic: ESTER Maleficent SEGARRA “Our original line-up didn’t last long because they just gothic generated a legion of loyal followers. hat Victor Love gets everywhere. wanted to be in a metal band,” explains Martini. “And we “After all, who doesn’t want to look at a sexy woman Not content with creating industrial haven’t had much success with drummers either – our first o you thought all Japanese alternative who’s covered in blood?” she asks. debaucheryT in his own band Dope Stars Inc, was in two bands and let us down over a gig, our second was music was full of whiny warbles? Despite their reputation, they only ever released one he’s also cast his magic over Omega Lithium. a bit too crazy. Our last drummer lived in , which didn’t PsydollS prove they can do noise with attitude studio before they split in 1985 and that was ‘Sleep In The Croatian industrial/goth metallers are the work so well but we’ve got a new one now so fingers crossed!” too. Mixing industrial, dark electronics and a Safety’. They reformed again four years later and then split latest act to fall under his production spell Now their line-up’s a bit more settled, they can get back hefty dose of Manga, the Tokyo trio are pretty up for a second time. But after several side-projects like with their debut ‘Dreams In Formaline’. to what they’re good at, which is performing music. They much the musical equivalent of ‘Battle Royale’. Penis Flytrap and the Graverobbers, Grandma Goth decided it Fronted by the flaxen-haired nineteen year recently premièred the lavishly sexy video to their cover of Nick Fronted by the cyber android Nekoi, they’ve was third time lucky and begun the reanimation ritual. old Mya Mortenssen, the alchemically-named Cave’s ‘Where The Wild Roses Grow’. Shot near Florence in been playing live since 1998 and have even “I guess I missed some of the 45 Grave songs,” four-piece are about to embark on a European Italy, it’s a real treat for the eyes. Martini reveals, “We filmed ventured as far as . They sing songs she muses. “It was a big part of my life and it seemed right to ‘Night Of The Demons’, staring one-time ‘Terminator 2’ tour with industrial mentalists Subway To Sally. it in my friend’s villa – it was our bassist Dr Sickx who spotted about Machinery Lemmings, black rain and, bring it back. The internet has really helped as well because hearthrob Edward Furlong. The soundtrack has been put Not bad considering they’ve only been together it. He was out there on holiday and took photos – it’s got the um, the iron battleship with the screw (some it’s allowed us to build up a dialogue with new fans.” together by Joe Bishara, who was also responsible for the for two years and come from the small town perfect atmosphere. We did the whole thing in three days with back on the road with a breath-taking new addition to their concepts really don’t translate well into The band headed back into the studio earlier this year to crypt-rocking tunes on ‘Repo! The Genetic ’. 45 Grave of Umag, which is pretty much regarded as no our own make-up artists and hairdressers and everything.” live shows: a ballet suspension. Based around the traditional English!). What’s more renowned anime artist record new material, which will be split between an EP and will nestle alongside Brooklyn gloom crew man’s land in their native country. And that’s where Maleficent’s theatrical background suspension act, Maleficent’s take uses ropes rather than Senno Knife has lent his creative skills to some their long-awaited album ‘What Nightmares Are Made Of’. and veteran punks TSOL on the album. “It’ll be boobs, They’ve searched all the corners of really comes out. Forget about jeans and t-shirts because piercing and hooks. Carried out with the assistance of of their album covers. Miss Cancer tells us, “I’ve been writing with guitarist L Ron blood, demons, evil, party… sounds like a fun night to me,” darkness for their inspiration, which comes these guys really go to town with hand-made costumes, bondage artiste Esinem, it sees Martini suspended several Psydoll recently released their second Jeremy [Faith & The Muse/] and we’re keeping Cancer grins. from luminaries such as , Lacuna decorated with sequins and ribbons. Martini explains, “I feet in the air. “Eventually we’ll incorporate it into a song,” studio album ‘10 Spy Glasses’ and are getting everything in the traditional 45 Grave vein. Because I’ve Coil and . Expect to hear more from love dressing up so our look just developed naturally.” she says, “but I’ve got to do more training first.” ready for another assault of Europe. Better known him for years, it’s been a trip working with him, we’re this lot soon. “It’s part of the showmanship – we dress like this stock up on the pocky. the twins of evil!” everyday!” adds Mortimer Cain. They’ve also recorded music for the new remake of With their debut EP ‘Demize’ now available, the band are

Fuck the industry, I’ll do it myself!” Never wiser words I feel as excited about this as I did twenty years ago with the uttered, and this is the mantra that helped Lahannya Nephs!” former bassist Tony Pettitt fulfil“ some of her wildest musical dreams. “I had intended beams.“ He’s talking about – a new experimental to follow a conventional route,” the singer says, “but the project started by ex-This Burning Effigy guitarist Stephen Carey labels were all too busy licking their wounds from the digital and All About Eve singer . Although it’s been threat so the development of new artists became a non- ccording to legend, DSO’s ancestors bubbling under for about eight years now, it’s only recently that priority. Now I’m the proud owner of my own and performed in a 16th Century Swedish it’s suddenly taken off and left everyone running to catch up. aunting vocals, eerie and , have booked all our tours myself.” ensembleA that the church flagged up as anti- “It started off as a studio project,” Pettitt explains. morbid outlook and just the right The last couple of years have been a bit of a whirlwind Christian. The story goes that those ancestors Guitarist and founding member Stephen Carey elaborates: amountH of kookiness – TyLean’s got all the for the blue-haired chanteuse who previously worked with met by chance in 2003 and decided to try to “It snowballed when Tony joined and we got some quite good right boxes ticked. And those boxes have industrial noisemakers Soman and things are about to reform the Devil’s , attempting to feedback from rough demos we’d put up on MySpace. We said if earned her the tag of “a morbidly depressed, pick up pace once again. Her second album ‘Defiance’ is emulate what they might have sounded like. there was enough interest it would come out on CD and so it has.” nihilistic Tori Amos.” It’s a mighty accolade for released this autumn just in time for her performance at the Whether that’s true or not, it does rather neatly Featuring the vocal talents of Julianne Regan, Faith & The the young singer- to live up to but Female Metal Voices Festival in , playing alongside contextualise the six-piece’s unique musical style. Muse’s Monica Richards, French singer Amandine Ferrari and – not because they’re still very much part of them, surprisingly she manages to succeed where Epica and Tarja. Lahannya is proof that anything is possible More than anything else, Lahannya seems to be a Diablo Swing Orchestra are like nothing soloist Evi Vine, ‘Smoke And Mirrors’ was finally released through despite all the recent touring for The Eden House. others may have failed. if you work hard enough. concept and ‘Defiance’ is something of a concept album. else out there at the moment. Fronted by the Jungle Records earlier in the year. Andy Jackson ( and And if you haven’t managed to catch the band on the Born in the Pennsylvian sticks some 26 “‘Defiance’ is the first album that we’ve recorded as a Inspired musically by the likes of and Snake classical-voiced Annlouice Loegdlund, their ’s engineer) did the mastering and through him, road yet, a special CD-DVD called ‘Looking Glass’ aims to years ago, TyLean came to the UK to study full band,” she reveals. Backed by Lutz Demmler from Umbra River Conspiracy, it tells the story of a dystopian Britain music is more bombastic than symphonic they’ve even managed to blag some studio time at Gilmour’s capture some of the magic behind the live experience. It a masters degree and is now living and Et Imago, Chris Milden from Adoration and former Killing and the woman who helped create the surveillance systems with just a touch of funk and swing. The self- houseboat-studio on the Thames to master their up-coming DVD. features a live studio set and a disc-full of covers (including performing in London. Now that’s what you call Miranda drummer Belle, Lahannya has gone far beyond that keeps everyone’s behaviour in check. If it sounds like released debut ‘The Butcher’s Ballroom’ was Nephs fans will be pleased to hear that Peter Yates, the Radiohead’s ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’). It’ll coincide with a paying your way through art! anything the singer could have imagined. She’s even done a a feminist version of ‘1984’, then picture this: Lahannya later licensed by Candlelight. Wright brothers and former Nefilim drummer Simon Rippon special set at this autumn’s Whitby Gothic Weekend where She’s currently working on a new album spot of modelling for ’s premier goth retailer X-Tra-X. had a unique sounding block while recording her vocals, Their second album ‘Sing-Along Songs For will also contribute to the album, along with Bob Geldof’s The Eden House will be performing ‘Something To Believe In’ called ‘The Unforgivable, The Unforgettable’ “I’ve flirted with the idea of expanding our merch range her Lemmy showed her approval by flapping The Damned And Delirious’ was recorded at In violinist Bob Loveday. It’s an eclectic roll-call of musicians with the flame-haired Monica Richards herself. but before all that, her last CD ‘Between 10 to include some uniquely styled items, which could potentially enthusiastically around the studio! Flames’ studio in and is out now and it’s earned the band the accolade of being “the gap And 2’ is about to be reissued through Danse turn into a clothing range at some point,” she teases, on Ascendance. between Massive Attack and Pink Floyd.” . “but there’s never enough time to work on all my ideas For those wondering what’s happening with Pettitt simultaneously and the music always has to come first.” and Carey’s other bands – NFD and Adoration, respectively than you’d think. Archzie was the can be deceptive. Hyde’s famously produced one who convinced us to cover album has been played in the Eyes’ ’s ‘Dead Souls’ when backstage quarters for several years and all we wanted to do was play here’s something that’s not widely known: Alice Cooper and Kiss songs.” Jyrki’s actually a bit of a metal buff. Schizophrenically compared “I have a pretty impressive collection to everyone from Marilyn of Scandinavian ,” he admits, Manson to Skid Row, no one chunky silver chains rattling on his can quite define the arms as he gesticulates the size of said and to be honest, it collection. “Back in the mid-‘90s, I used seems they’re happiest that way. to have my own club nights in Helsinki Inspired by , The and I was the only DJ in playing Sisters Of Mercy, horror movies black metal in the bars. I’m a big fan of and comic books, the Finnish Satyricon and Darkthrone.” quintet stole the term ‘goth ‘n’ “In fact,” the singer adds, “I used to get roll’ from their Swedish friends called a church-burner back in the mid- Funhouse – frontman Mikael ‘90s because I had super-long hair and Korner has been quoted as always wore black. I got fed up with that saying he thinks it suits them and that’s one of the reasons why we wore better. With the help of an other colours on our ‘’ honorary sixth – well- photo sessions.” known Finnish musician Johnny Jyrki also keenly points out the Lee Michaels – they relaunched similarities between The 69 Eyes and more themselves and, with a more extreme bands. keyboard-orientated sound, “You know Fenriz from Darkthrone has scored their first gold album with a Hanoi Rocks tattoo?” he asks, becoming ‘’. excited as he talks about two of his favourite bands. “We all share the same taste in music, the same ambition, the same roots, we just took a different direction from them that’s That was back in 2000 and, nine all. We’re all around the same age too.” years later with a clutch of studio And it’s probably fair to say they’ve under their belts, things faced similar accusations of vocal trickery. have continued at a very steady “I read on the internet that some people pace. 2007’s ‘Angels’ was met think my deep gothic voice is done with a with a mixed response; Michaels computer. I mean, honestly, that’s so funny! was once again involved with I can’t believe people would write stuff like pre-production and Moonspell that. Mind you, there are also stories saying producer Hiili Hiilesmaa held the that I’m wearing a wig!” Terrorizer admits to reins as he had done with ‘Devils’. out from society,” Jyrki philosophises, “so Hydeaway Studios in LA and part-recorded giving his hair a quick tug just to make sure. The result was eleven songs it’s not cool to find out your little sister in Finland, the album strips the gloss away It’s a funny old world that that drew the band back to their has posters of your favourite gothic band from their comic book-style rock. His none of the band nor anyone connected to glammier origins. on her wall! Every possible media outlet background as a guitarist is clearly audible them could have possibly second-guessed. “It was a celebration album,” was describing us as a ‘gothic’ band so it with greater emphasis on solos. Bazie and “There have been some strange times in pics: pics: ESTER SEGARRA says Jyrki, “we’d just discovered just commercialised the term and the goths Timo-Timo even got to play with some of the last twenty years,” Jyrki sighs, tapping LA so it was all, ‘Forget held us responsible.” Hyde’s toys on the disc and the Johnny his fingers absent-mindedly against a should have been thinking about the music.” cemeteries; let’s party!’.” And party they It also didn’t help that the boys were Lee Michaels’ Lords Of The New Church- tumbler of Jack Daniels. “People have “Rock or fucking go away!” spits The Carnal activity may or may not have did, the boys became regulars on Sunset cropping up on Finnish reality shows, with inspired keyboards have been locked away accused us of having some sort of business 69 Eyes frontman Jyrki, his icy glare been involved but the vampire theme has Strip and were soon photographed with all drummer on a local version of in the cupboard under the stairs. plan, but it’s not true! They don’t realise penetrating through his sunglasses. He’s been there since day one and isn’t just a manner of rock ‘n’ rollers from Tracii Guns ‘The Dog Whisperer’ and Jyrki on a very “Finnish music is polite,” says the how honest and open we are, nothing’s sitting at the hotel bar, dressed head-to-toe pun on the band’s nocturnal existence. through to, um, Good Charlotte’s Benji odd celebrity angling programme called frontman. “It’s something to do with the calculated and it’s not like we’ve ever been in black leather, but the ultimatum’s not It’s partly bassist Archzie’s fault – he’s the Madden. But the whole ‘good times’ attitude ‘Gone Fishing’. All this aside, it took just way we’re brought up, but American music able to afford to hide behind light shows directed at Terrorizer. It’s apparently what biggest goth of them all and started his (and the celebration of ‘dumb blonde’ celebs one man to sharpen up their image and is all about the attitude and the anger. We or pyrotechnics. We’re just The 69 Eyes /Monster Magnet producer Matt Hyde musical career in the ‘80s with Finland’s Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson on ‘Perfect make them a credible . That man haven’t lost our Finnish charm because and what you see is what you get.” told The 69 Eyes on the eve of recording first gothic outfit, Syyskuu. Skin’) didn’t bode well with the gothic was Slayer producer Matt Hyde. we made this record with an American And so with the mass media currently their ninth studio album, ‘Back In Blood’. “They were there during the community who felt their kindred spirits “He was a real slave-driver,” remembers producer but he dug up the sound we salivating over creatures of the night in If you thought The 69 Eyes were just years and toured with Killing Joke,” Jyrki had checked out of the graveyard for good. Jyrki. “He made every one of us cry at always wanted to create. He’s brought out film, book and on television, it seems that another bunch of gothic posers think again reveals. “The first single they ever released That they were now household names in some point. He pulled us apart, took away our real demons.” after twenty years of slaving away over because there’s far more to them than back in ‘82 was called ‘Dracula’ so our Finland didn’t help either. our self-confidence and told us we sucked.” brimstone, the world is finally ready for meets the eye. This apparently non-ageing Nosferatu connection goes much further “To be gothic means wanting to stand But Hyde’s boot-camp methods some fiendish vampire rock. It’s about clan of vampires formed in Helsinki in clearly worked as the band went on to There’s no denying that on paper, it looks bloody time too. 1989, their friendship cemented by a love create their definitive album. ‘Back In a bit odd that the man behind Slayer’s of and women. Blood’ condenses twenty years of their ‘God Hates Us All’ should have even been ‘Back In Blood’ in out now on “Actually,” Jyrki confesses, “we were too history into twelve no-shit, hard-rocking considered as a candidate for some light- busy shagging in the early days when we vampire anthems. Part-recorded at Matt’s hearted Finnish goth ‘n’ roll but appearances www.69eyes.com production skills of his former Zeromancer we’ve hidden in the artwork.” bandmate Alexander Møklebust. There in Stepping firmly, or rather sprinting his Room 13 Studio things took a rather away, from the current unexpected turn. movement, Theatre Of Tragedy have not “We actually worked less with only avoided toeing the line but inevitably electronics and more with rhythm patterns set a new standard for bands to follow. on this album,” Hansen explains. Given “It’s so difficult to reinvent yourself Zeromancer’s industrial background, there on record,” says Hansen, “especially after was a bit of an unspoken expectation that sixteen years and I know there will be ‘Forever Is The World’ would end up being some fans who won’t like it but we didn’t even more synth-heavy than anything want to become just another symphonic they’d done before but actually the metal band.” opposite happened. The band unwittingly So after three years of allowing life to went straight back to their roots and get in the way of music, it was back to the produced what could arguably be regarded grind with disciplined twelve-hour days in as the most gothic album of their career. the studio and not a whole lot of time for And none seemed more surprised anything else. But the hard slog has paid than founding member Raymond István off as far as the six-piece are concerned Rohonyi. He couldn’t dedicate as much even though the result was less than time to vocal arrangements as he’d have calculated. “People think the change in liked and left the majority to Sigland, sound was part of some elaborate scheme,” whose solo vocals grace six out of the Hansen laughs, “but it really wasn’t. We twelve songs they worked on (two of fell back into goth purely by accident.” which are only available on the limited From doom to electropop and now edition vinyl gatefold package). Of course, -darkwave, Theatre Of Tragedy have Rohonyi’s trademark death grunts are still undergone more musical changes than there but Hansen reckons the frontman most bands could ever imagine but then was taken aback by the different direction when one considers how long they’ve been the album headed in and struggled a little. going it’s not really surprising. The goth , particularly in Europe, is adept at recycling genres but if there’s one band right now that’s pushing the drummer’s Shrouded in melancholy, it’s surprising to buttons, it’s The Eden House (find out learn that some of the songs were actually more in our Bone Shakers section). left over from the rather upbeat ‘Storm’ “I’m probably the only one in Theatre sessions. who keeps in touch with what’s going on the follow-up to the Greg Reely-produced to keep the same line-up for two albums “We were originally going to bring them in the gothic underground these days but “I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to make ‘Storm’ and Hein reckons it was worth the in a row. out on an EP,” says Hansen, “but we had a I really love their ‘Smoke And Mirrors’ Theatre Of Tragedy come of age.” wait. The last personnel change was around lot of problems in production and someone album. I’m a huge Fields Of The Nephilim Drummer and original member Hein “This record is the first we’ve made 2004, when The Crest vocalist Nell Sigland lost the original sound files, which was a fan and have been for years so I’ve always Frode Hansen is in a reflective mood now where nothing went wrong and we were stepped in as Liv’s replacement, making shame because we thought they were really kept up with all the little side-projects, but the band’s seventh studio album, ‘Forever amazed by this,” he exclaims. “In fact, her vocal debut on ‘Storm’. Her appearance good. We re-recorded them and it was that album is the most amazing release I’ve Is The World’, has been finished. He we’re expecting the end of the world to initially caused a bit of a furore among only when we were going over the demos heard in years.” quickly adds with a giggle, “but obviously happen any day now!” fans but things settled down soon enough. that we realised everything we’d done Denying that the London act influenced you’d have to speak with the rest of the From the death of former bandmates So if there were no problems, no line-up produced the band’s fourth album was actually really slow. The whole thing ‘Forever Is The World’ in any way, he does guys about that as well! You know our and family members through to the changes and no new record deals to be ‘Musique’ and was responsible for their turned out a lot darker than we expected.” acknowledge that ‘The Breakening’ has a keyboardist Lorentz Aspen has been in the destruction of masters (with a smattering negotiated, why the hell did it take Theatre shift in sound from traditional In fact, the album features re-worked touch of ‘Mezzanine’ about it. “I think of it band for more than half his life? He was of label changes along the way), there’s Of Tragedy three years to record a new to a more electronic influence. He’s also material that’s been kicking around as Massive Attack meets Joy Division,” he fifteen when he joined and he’s 31 now, a definite feeling that fate has taken the album? The blame apparently lies in their been rather busy of late making a tidy sum the vaults for the last five or six years. suggests. “You know really, I think there’s that’s a long time.” band’s name a little too literally. Given choice of producer. as a live keyboardist for the pop group Lest it should be considered a selection something for everyone on this new record For the last sixteen years, Theatre Of their chequered past, Hansen’s excitement “We were waiting for Erik Ljunggren,” A-Ha and even worked on their comeback of outtakes Hansen shares his more and we hope everyone likes it. It’s our baby Tragedy have had almost as much drama is completely understandable when he the drummer explains. If the name sounds album. Now, let’s weigh this up; to work philosophical view. – we’ve been working on it for so long now and as many line-up changes as the Sisters reveals it’s the first time they’ve managed familiar it’s because the Norwegian with a huge pop band or an underground “They all fit together with the same and we’re really proud of it. I’m just sorry Of Mercy. This of course includes the very gothic metal act? No matter how much atmosphere and energy,” he reveals, “we’ve that it took us so long to release it!” public sacking of former female singer Liv he liked the guys, it was a no-brainer completed the magickal circle by using Kristine who then scuppered off to form really. But instead of leaving his gothic elements from all six of our previous Leaves’ Eyes with her husband Alexander buddies to fend for themselves, Ljunggren albums. In fact, if you study the cover very Krull. It’s taken them three years to finish apologised and suggested they use the carefully, you might just spot the clues mother I do get homesick every now and then, and I feel even a more intense connection towards my home country. My past, my heritage and feeling homesick is all floating into the concept and lyrics of Leaves’ Eyes.” After a tumultuous year that the band recruiting two new members, bassist Alla Fedynitch and drummer Seven Antonopolous, producing their first-ever DVD, ‘We Came With The Northern Winds / En Saga I Belgia’, releasing several EPs and completing work on their own recording studio, one wonders how Liv and husband Alex found the time to conjure up a brand-new album. Far from being a slapdash affair, however, the songs of ‘Njord’ each tell a story all their own. Good luck understanding them, though, as they’ve been written in eight different languages: English, Middle-High German, Old English, Gaelic, Norwegian, Icelandic, French and one “self- made linguistic fictional phonetic sequence,” according to Liv, very fairytale should have a happy filled by operatic vocalist, and friend of your own true self, which I do through who drew upon her knowledge ending and none is more deserving Paeth’s, but, as Simons meditation,” he says. “We think we’re free of Old English and Middle-High than Epica’s. Things had been maintained in interviews, there was never as a human race but really we’re just like a German (as well as a few French heading in the right direction for ages, any question whether she would return to stimulus-response acting all day long; we’re and Gaelic lessons) to bring her but then guitarist Ad Sluijter left, auburn- her band once she was well enough. like modern slaves to the world around us.” words to life. locked singer contracted In between hospital visits she worked Part-recorded at the Gate Studio in “The lyrics mainly deal MRSA and the initial rough cuts of new more on her voice and even guested on Wolfsburg, Germany and part-recorded with characters from Northern album ‘’ didn’t the new album from her partner, at the self-built studios at Epica HQ, mythology or with places and exactly receive glowing praise from long- guitarist ’s side-project Sons the release manages to capture the iv Kristine Espenæs Krull may just up, by the fjord, in a fantastic nature area. historical happenings. This is why I found time producer . Of Seasons. band’s trademark epic symphonic metal be the sweetest little lady in heavy We started learning about the Vikings even it necessary to deal with all these different “When Sascha heard the early demos, “Although I know her very well,” while sounding less formulaic than its metal. As frontwoman of before going to school, and my parents languages,” she explains. “The songs he was horrible. He said, ‘This is good, says Jansen, “every time I hear her sing, predecessors. symphonic metallers Leaves’ Eyes, she told me that our family name ‘Espenæs’ also inspired me to use my knowledge that’s not good enough’, and that was it!” it sounds even better than I expected.” But about Epica HQ; it’s based in is known for her graceful demeanour, originally was a big Viking family about in classical singing to a greater extent giggles frontman and founding member Finally things seemed to be back on an Jansen’s family home in a quiet residential genuine warmth, and of course, those 1,000 years ago,” Liv explains, then goes than on earlier albums. ‘Njord’ has even . He can laugh about it now even keel when, rather unexpectedly at the area of the . Tucked away angelic pipes, but before you write her off on to divulge further, “‘Njord’ has a broad a more bombastic but delicate sound but it must have been heartbreaking to end of last year, co-founder Ad Sluijter quit behind the house are lush green woodland as just another pretty face, take note: this concept, travelling through history, and than ‘Vinland Saga’ because techniques hear at the time. So Epica went away and the band. He accused deadline pressures that look like a magical fairy kingdom. It’s Norwegian siren is a real-life Viking, and into Nordic mythology. It has always been allowed it. We recorded the classical parts worked on the weaker songs to come up of hampering his creativity. It could have his safe haven for meditating and once as tough as they come. Born and raised important to me that our sound and art in Minsk [Lingua Mortis, supervised by with a collection of tracks that both Paeth spelled disaster for Epica but instead God you see it, you understand how its serenity in rainy , , Liv spent her is authentic, and that our audience really ], we had a complete local and the band were more than happy with. Dethroned’s Isaac Delahaye was announced is reflected in the escapist music he writes. childhood by the legendary Hafrsfjord, on gets the feeling of being on a wonderful choir [Al Dente] singing the choir parts, Rewind to late 2007 when Epica’s third as his permanent replacement and the “I feel at home there,” he says. “It’s the her family’s fishing boats, swimming in the journey. I feel that our music needs moreover, a special artist playing solos on studio album, ‘’ was guitarist has apparently settled in very well first place I want to visit when I’ve been North Sea during the harsh Scandinavian a special well-written and interesting special instruments like the uilleann pipe released to critical acclaim. It was their indeed. “He wrote a lot of parts for away on tour.” winter and devouring Viking literature. concept, and I want to travel through time and the whistle. All this makes this album first on Nuclear Blast – the band were this new album,” Mark reveals, “so it really If there are such creatures as fairies and Now, as a mother, musician, and athlete and space. For me history has always been a multi-layered and highly interesting previously signed to small Dutch label was a joint effort. In fact Coen [Janssen, goblins living in the woodland, perhaps (she’s training for a marathon) Liv has extremely interesting, and even when I experience for our listeners, for your ears, Transmission – and paved the way for live keyboardist] wrote a lot more this time and they’ve already shared some of their magic not forgotten her roots. Leaves’ Eyes left Norway and moved to my husband hearts and minds.” album, ‘’ earlier Ariën [Van Weesenbeek]’s great drumming Epica. After all those initial setbacks, latest album, ‘Njord,’ which was produced in Germany twelve years ago, I had this year. It goes without saying that with lifts the music up to the next level‒– I things appear to be back on target for the by Leaves’ Eyes’ own Alexander Krull more books about the Vikings with me the new label came new responsibilities couldn’t have made the album without Dutch symphonic metal band and with (Atrocity), is nothing if not a joyful than clothes and shoes! Since I became a and a touring schedule to match. It their input.” European and US tours coming up, they’ve celebration of heritage, steeped in legend was just prior to last year’s tour with As an escape from the chaos of touring certainly got designs on the universe! and myth. Symphony X that Simons was diagnosed and the constant hurdles thrown in the “On the cover of the EP [‘My Destiny’] with hospital superbug MRSA and had to band’s path, it was Zen-like calm that you actually see the ‘Swords In Stone’, undergo a strict regime to get her back Jansen sought to inspire the new album. which are situated exactly where I grew on the mend. Her shoes were temporarily “‘Design Your Universe’ is about finding Bunny rabbits just don’t look good in eyeliner so that’s Is your ‘Floodland’ vinyl a bit knackered? Or maybe that why Manic Panic make sure ‘’ 12” skips more times than you’d like? Why not they test theirs on rock stars! illed as Leechwoman’s last gig (for turn them into a nifty bowl! You could do it yourself following They’ve just repackaged a a while anyway), you’d think they online tutorials or you could ask those nice people at Vinylux stack of goth-friendly products might be higher up the bill than to do it for you! and launched the sexy glitter Bthe openers but sadly they’re not. Knowing Prices start at £12.95 for a glamour rose, which is perfect what they were back in the day, one feels a set of six ready-made drinks for decorating your pad. Get little sad that their angle-grinding, tin can- coasters. Visit www.vinylux. yours online now from www. thwacking musical mayhem has been reduced net for your nearest stockist. manicpanic.com for just under to frontman Alex B with two blokes on guitar. a fiver. Of course, that’s before Alex starts yelling his lungs out and perforating the audience’s eardrums with his brutal industrio-tribal racket. Fortunately the band just steer clear of Alchemy Gothic the infamous brown note but the effects linger started off life in 1977 for days afterwards. Result! selling hand-crafted They might be halfway through their lead jewellery from a 25th anniversary tour but KMFDM still treat carboot. It’s now one London to quite a performance. It's not as of the best-known energetic as their earlier dates but the set is alternative jewellery still packed with crowdpleasers from various brands in the world. stages of their career. ‘Hauruck’, ‘WW3’ and This red leather dragon ‘Godlike’ are among the highlights but after a bag is part of their while, it comes across a bit samey which isn’t new collection and can helped by the poor sound. It’s an entertaining be worn either across show but clocking in at just over an hour the body or as a nifty feels like they’re short-changing the crowd. back pack. But cheesy JOY LASHER horror lovers, do not despair, because there My Ruin’s is more than just a screamer, she are plenty of pewter also happens to have her very own unique clothing and skull-themed pieces still accessories brand called Blasphemous Girl Designs. The to choose from. Jesus Christo Ex Voto range is one of her best sellers hen bands reform there’s always a and features hand-painted cameos of Christ himself. The risk they’ll be a bit shit and look, adjustable rings start at $45 and are available from his is the beginning of the end. an intimate performance and a full-blown well, old. ’s bill seems a bit www.blasphemousgirldesigns.com Twenty years ago, a young man rock concert at the same time. Wrisky not just on that basis but also because named released Just as the audience think they’re on of the venue’s plush surrounds. The Embassy Tan experimental solo album called a downer, the pace changes once again is one of those swanky clubs that normally Forget about the future, ‘’. Produced by Brit and it’s back to the industrial with a requests its patrons wear designer clobber is all about the past. John Fryer (/ Cocteau beefed-up version of ‘Down In It’. “This or risk being left out in the rain. One gets Think mechanical parts and Reinventing the goth look Twins) it went on to revolutionise and was our very first single,” Reznor tells the feeling the staff weren’t quite ready for

pic: pic: ESTER SEGARRA Victoriana and you’ve got the without the velvet cliché – commercialise , much like the crowd. “I came to London for the all the coiffed deathhawks, transvestites and picture. Talented designer that’s what Necessary Evil do his hero did with electro. first time terrified that I was going to smudged eyeliner tonight. Sex Beat were one Rachael Adams has come and their new range mixes Three decades later, Trent with his make a record no one would listen to of the in-house bands from Specimen’s old up with a unique range corp goth with Morticia live band are performing what’s billed and here we are, twenty years later.” club The Batcave and, as tonight’s show is that she calls Noueveau Addams to do just that. to be ’ last ever UK arena And oh how things have changed, that dripping with Batcave décor, it feels like they Motley and it’s all about Revamp your winter show. With the house lights still up, greasy-haired, scrawny goth kid who still are. Except they do look a bit like a pub the steam. From cufflinks to wardrobe with this jersey Trent sneaks on stage and begins singing once told interviewers he’d never had a band in fancy dress these days. Fortunately earrings, everything is made dress, which is a snip at ‘Nothing’. The audience immediately shut real girlfriend has long gone. In his place they’ve not forgotten how to play but there’s from recycled materials so it’s as £24.99. What’s more they’ve up and it’s quite clear we’re in for a treat. stands a confident man with the audience a good reason they never got further than eco-friendly as it is cool. Everything, including this wicked got loads of fiendishly dark Moments later the auditorium is plunged literally at his feet. the ‘Cave. Specimen certainly make the effort absinthe necklace, can be bought from her site togs for men as well. Result! into darkness and then shocked back to As a special treat, the gothfather of both in costume as well as performance even www.nouveaumotley.com www.katesclothing.co.uk life with bright lights as ‘Terrible Lie’ electro Gary Numan comes on stage though their hair follicles sadly couldn’t begins. From then on, it’s anthem after to sing ‘Metal’ and ‘Cars’ before Trent make the show. With the three main members anthem: ‘1,000,000’, ‘Heresy’, ‘March ploughs through the last few hits. ‘Hand – Jonny Slut, and Ollie Wisdom Of The Pigs’ — it’s a full-on industrial That Feeds’, ‘’ and the – performing better than they ever did back assault that’s performed without remorse. stark ballad ‘Hurt’. Of course there are in the ‘80s, they play pretty much their entire There’s not long to go before ‘New Moon’ – the Reznor sings, he plays guitar, dabbles some glaring omissions but then you back catalogue. Well, it’s not like they had second movie in the ‘Twilight’ saga is released. with keys and throws the sort of rock star can’t please everyone all the time. As the that many songs to begin with! As the final In the meantime, get your vampire fix from the poses that show he’s damn well earned his black guy in front says: “This dude ain’t bars of ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ end abruptly, it mammoth amount of merchandise available like place on this stage. The sound is awesome bad for a white boy!” If this really was almost feels like the zeitgeist of the ‘80s has some nifty plasters, from £3.99 at Forbidden and once the pace slows down for an your last ever London show, Trent Reznor, been recaptured, bottled and emptied out in Planet. Perfect for boys who sparkle. interlude of haunting ballads, somehow you really did go out on a high note. Mayfair. Thank fuck for that. pics: pics: STEVE GERRARD the atmosphere manages to capture both JOY LASHER JOY LASHER album number two is both heavier and catchier with some quality production. ust when you thought the Banshees were It’s like the missing link between Lacuna finally dead and buried, LA supergroup Coil’s ‘’ and ‘’ nce dismissed as an Italian band he’s the goth scene’s favourite little n a decade dominated by dames of FangsJ On Fur resurrect the sound that – a record that combines dark pop with with dodgy political views, Kirlian he whimpering three seconds in dead girl even though “serious” comic doom, all cowering under the goth orget everything you think you got Siouxsie and co signed back in the crunchy and a pinch of ‘80s CameraO have been dormant for the last isn’t the first victim of ‘ironic’ bookS nerds scorn her very existence. Roman umbrellaI despite being no more than know about how gothic music day. Their debut album features sixteen goth. Just as the story behind the lyrics few years while frontwoman Elena Fossi serialT killer ’s gristly death trap, Dirge’s ‘Lenore’ [6.5] is back with volume poppy metal fare, it’s refreshing to shouldF sound and let this loony bunch melancholic, punkoid, female-fronted diversifies – a tale of a young woman flirted with her all-girl experimental no, it’s the whole series wanting to die. two of her adventures, this time released hear the new slab from Norway’s truest of Swedes re-educate you. Diablo Swing goodies to lessen the musical implications in a dystopian world – the music does project Spectra Paris, borne from the Having long since lost its shock value through Titan Books rather than her old home gothic mob Theatre Of Tragedy. Okay, so Orchestra bring a whole new meaning of Siouxsie and Budgie’s acrimonious split. too. Opener ‘Dying Inside’ is a fine piece ashes of her other band Siderartica. But through repetition and cleverness to at Slave Labor Graphics. The first instalment, they’ve got their moments of , but to the ‘Devil’s music’ with their overtly It’s like 1978 all over again but with better of gothic metal while ‘Adrenaline’ is an now they’re back. Like Clan Of Xymox, increasingly empty plotting, ‘’ told through Dirge’s uniquely kooky style, sees there’s plenty of spice. Take brooding theatrical vocals and tantalising swing production values. [8] JL electronic club anthem. The only real they’ve been going for bloody years (next [3] is an absolute genre nadir where her come face-to-face with her embalmer opener ‘Hide And Seek’, it creeps up on TOT’s deviance to all things moody beats. Now signed to Ascendance, weakness is Lahannya’s vocals, which year will be their 30th anniversary) and unlikeable pricks are shoved from Mortimer Fledge. Further Spooky Land you, twisting its sinister tentacles for a is adhered to. These are not club this is their first official release and have been beefed up in the studio but their sound has changed accordingly. set-piece to set-piece while characters adventures, including an autobiographical whole two minutes before vocalist Nell floorfillers, more morbidly suited to it certainly gets things going with an it’s a gigantic step in the right direction. ‘Shadow Mission…’ takes Kirlian Camera nobody can remember from earlier films yarn, also feature in this full-colour booklet. Sigland bursts through the gloom with nights alone. ‘Revolution’ sees Nell almighty bang. There have been many omprising one half of Nottingham back to their synth pop roots with just growl meaningfully, probably at their It’s an essential purchase for fans but those her trademark sparkle. creepy in a Kate Bush on absinthe attempts to recreate the burlesque- goth-electrolites Intra Venus, a sprinkling of darkness. There are still agents. The usual industrial soundtrack new to Lenore might prefer to wait for the Swapping one Zeromancer way, and the aptly titled ‘Deadland’ is friendly orchestral sounds that DSO are MethodcellC call themselves “industrial touches of the haunting experimentalism provides the only real continuation of “remastered” collections due out next year. producer (Erik Ljunggren) for another an ‘80s nightmare in come alive so good at but no one else has managed synth-core”. ‘Scissors’ combines elements that they’re known for but the lighter quality, but when was that ever a reason Damsels in distress are sexy but The in Alexander Møklebust, you could through music. Alluring and enticing to match this bunch, in fact most come of harsh electro with lighter electronica and moments may raise some eyebrows. This to watch a film? ‘My Bloody Valentine’ House Of Hammer certainly knew how to expect a smattering of Europop synth- fodder. Winter cannot come quick across as painfully embarrassing. With then shoves the whole lot in a darkened avarian folk music might not sound isn’t quite the anniversary album that it [3] is another success of gimmickry pick the hottest chicks for its horror flicks. sauciness, but fear not, although there enough. a hefty helping of and electric room, illuminated only by glosticks. instantly appealing but Letz Instanz could have been but it’s not bad at all. over plotting, coming with two pairs of Titan have just released the cheesily-titled is a warm production throughout, guitars, ‘Sing Along Songs…’ is a Designed for the dancefloor rather than mixB it up with for a old school 3D glasses that allow you ‘Hammer Glamour’ [6] as homage to bonkers blend of big band metal that’s armchair listening, Methodcell are neither brutish blend. Recorded at Germany’s to watch the whole thing in migraine- the film company who put the vamp into packed with unexpected twists and monotone nor monotonous but give ‘00s Principal Studios, which has also housed inducing shades of neon as best to vampire. The blood-spattered heaving than twenty years later, the whole thing turns. Dark as death itself, it’s the sort electro a deserving kick up the arse. [8] JL bagpipe industrialists In Extremo, experience all the bits where something bosoms of ‘60s and ‘70s horror darlings like has been remastered with additional of warped symphony one might expect ‘Schuldig’ is an explosive yet tuneful is pointlessly thrust/thrown at the Ursula Andress, Kate O’Mara and of course tracks for a lavish two-disc set that to hear while watching a Tim Burton blend of fourteen songs sung in the camera. Aside from glimmers of interest Countess Dracula herself, Ingrid Pitt are all riginally released in 1984, casts a whole new light on what has movie. Diablo Swing Orchestra do exactly band’s native tongue. Less military than hey started off as a bit of a joke but coming from the idiosyncratic premise captured in glorious Technicolor but this is ‘Kickabye’ came screaming into always been assumed as the golden what they claim to, with extra bells and he future’s bleak; Psydoll are the but far heavier than ASP, Letz at some point Screaming Banshee (which they can’t take credit for, given far more than just a picture book. ‘Hammer theO light during the first wave of goth. age of . Tripped-out jazz whistles. future. Refusing to follow in the Instanz strike the right balance between AircrewT pulled up their striped socks and it’s a remake of a 1981 Canadian slasher Glamour’ tells the story of how some of the Capturing the experimental discordia of fusion with unnerving vocals and spine- J-rockT or J-pop footsteps of their peers, industrial metal and folk-driven gothic realised they had potential once they flick), it’s mired by whining, unpleasant movie world’s most glamorous gals begun the Batcave scene (one that had nothing tingling instrumentation capture the real this Japanese band take a more European rock even if it is a rather unexpected one. stopped larking about. ‘Sugar’ is their protagonists and a Big Reveal that their careers prancing around notoriously to do with ripped tights or mohawks), zeitgeist of one of the darkest musical approach to their goth/industrial beats There are even guest appearances from third album and dusts down the old school makes absolutely no sense. wobbly sets at Pinewood Studios. Anni roped in buddies from Foetus, Nick eras. Hogan’s uncompromising style while still retaining a hefty dose of Manga. Jesus On Extasy’s Leandra and Turkish goth bands they’ve always been inspired Heavily stylised indie ‘Smash Cut’ Finally journalist Mick Mercer’s latest Cave, and Siouxsie And carries the same beautiful bleakness and Less noise-based than ‘I, Psydoll’, ’10 Spy singer Aylin Aslim. Letz Instanz are one by, while giving them a hefty injection of [4] seems directorially informed by the tome ‘Music To Die For’ [7] is a mammoth The Banshees. She even stayed in Lydia disturbing edge as ’s own work hose Italian pretty boys, Dope Stars Glasses’ is annoyingly catchy and will of the mittelalter or mediaeval metal the ‘nu’ new wave. Songs like the Nick heavy-handed post-modernism of ‘90s book about every goth band imaginable. Lunch’s flat while recording this and her – the 21 songs on here are pure luxury. Inc really excelled themselves end up being the theme tune to all your bands, which might not translate so Cave-esque ‘Circles’ and the gloriously guff-storm ‘Natural Born Killers’, but the This 609-page encyclopaedia lists essential influence is apparent here. Now more withT their previous album ‘Gigahearts’ nightmares. [6] JL well as a concept outside Germany but it post-punk ‘Shutter’ prove they’re more nods to cult ‘70s horror (grizzled faces members and discographies as well as but when guitarist Alex Vega and synth certainly rocks a riot on disc. than worthy if they could just brush off from ‘The Wizard Of Gore’, ‘The Hills Have boasting a number of black and white photos. player Grace Khold quit, the band that whole ‘novelty goth band’ tag. Now Eyes’ and ‘The Last House On The Left’ The amount of research that’s gone into this insisted they’d carry on. Now with squeaky-voiced violinist Jo Violet’s singing feature) show intent and awareness and is quite overwhelming and just about everyone new guitarist Fabrice La Nuit, they’ve ritish gothic rockers tick the boxes role has been toned down, they’re even justifies the acting talents of pr0n star who’s anyone appears. But those expecting released album number three – their with luscious licks that pack a punch more credible. ‘Sugar’ is one of the most as intentionally naff. Sadly in-depth interviews will be disappointed, even ack in the mid-to-late ‘90s, VNV first without any contribution from andB slightly cheesy prog-inspired songs. exciting things to have come from the UK though, knowingly rubbish is still entirely though there are a few more detailed entries Nation were darlings of the electro Vega. What does this mean? Well, quite Kim Seviour’s angelic vocals sound like unacy Box’s debut album sits goth scene in recent years – it’s just like rubbish - just look at Steel Panther. for randomly selected underground acts. scene,B then spearheading the whole simply, less guitar solos! With founding a cross between All About Eve’s Julianne in that uncomfortable grey area the whole ‘90s EBM scene never happened. future-pop movement. But they their member/chief songwriter and producer Regan and Skeletal Family’s Anne Marie betweenL goth and metal. Without label Dependence folded, electronic Victor Love still very much at the helm, Hurst, which makes ‘Wintercoast’ a delight actually being a full-on gothic metal relies a lot less on programming than by (Moonspell/Tiamat), music got heavier and VNV’s bubble ‘21st Century Slave’ still retains that to the ears. The sound is nostalgic even band – unlike their countrymen Lacuna ‘Damage’ and concentrates far more ‘Heretic Rapture’ is like old Lacuna Coil appeared to burst. They released two J-pop-meets-industrial-electro-sound if the boys do look like they’ve been doing Coil – they tread somewhere between on Heather Thompson’s vocals, which turned up to eleven. It’s jammed packed albums on their own Anachron label but with lashings of attitude. this for a while. [6] JL darkwave pop and gothic rock. When flit between haunting and full-on rock with the sort of uber-heavy riffs and ‘Of Faith, Power And Glory’ is their first The songs seem more down-beat they come out on the right side of it hey were in danger of becoming chick. It’s a dichotomous combination passionate vocals that should put a for two years, sticking two fingers up, Despite the group’s recent departure than the fast-paced party anthems of with songs like ‘Save’, the result is a bit of a one-album wonder but that make this album perfect for those smile on the face of even the most jaded victory style of course, at any rumours towards pure synth-pop, ‘Of Faith…’ ‘Gigahearts’ with more of a leaning wonderfully catchy. It sounds not unlike TappingT The Vein have finally released looking for a lighter shade of goth. goth. Sorychta’s production evokes a of their demise. still retains a pinch of the edge towards future pop but they’ve still got early Garbage back when they were good the long-awaited follow-up to 2002’s constant darkness that lets the band’s Packed with an uplifting collection that made them successful without their edge. As always, Dope Stars Inc although vocalist Ms Larsen doesn’t ‘Damage’. Originally signed to Nuclear sultry side shine through. And shine it of anthemic floorfillers, it proves that sounding dated. There’s even a step have gone for slick photography and he good ship Lahannya is ready quite have the same snarl as Shirley Blast, they were always the odd ones out does, complimented by Ruby’s strong, the Harris/Jackson partnership has in the electro-industrial direction with design that’ll guarantee they retain to sail once again this time, with Manson. But when things don’t quite gel with their female-fronted electro rock and clean vocals that steer well clear of any certainly not lost its touch. ‘Senital’ ‘Art Of Conflict’. VNV refuse to follow their goth posterboy status. Fortunately aT concept album. It’s been a couple of together, it ends up in a sort of no-man’s even now they’re still virtually impossible of the operatic warbliness that every other is the perfect partner to the club hit in the footsteps of harsher acts like in this case, the gloss doesn’t detract years since her debut ‘Shotgun Reality’ land of mediocrity. to categorise. Oozing bleak electronics, pening their debut with the kind female-fronted band seems to be latching ‘Kingdom’ with its solid beat and and Suicide Commando but from the music and they’ve succeeded and ‘Defiance’ proves that time has Even their cover of Filter’s ‘Hey Man passionate female vocals and shoegazery of atmospheric spookiness one onto. ‘Heretic Rapture’ is an impressive passionate vocals while the haunting then why shouldn’t they? ‘Of Faith…’ is in coming up with a quality follow-up to been put to seriously good use. Once Nice Shot’ doesn’t quite realise them to riffs, TTV sound like a cross between wouldO expect to hear from Fields Of The album, never mind an awesome debut for a ‘Ghost’ is a soulful ballad that sends a stunningly glorious album. ‘Gigahearts’. again produced by bandmate and full potential, which is a real let-down. Mazzy Star and Björk on an acid come- Nephilim, it’s not hard to understand how band that’s only been going for three years. shivers up the spine. Umbra Et Imago bassist Lutz Demmler, down. That said ‘Another Day Down’ ’s Witchbreed got signed. Produced