Category Archives: MUSIC
Band Interview: Synical
What horror-related themes have you found to be the most inspiring for your music?
A common theme that Synical gravitates towards is science accidents and war. The horror of nuclear radiation and concentration camps was featured in the video for the title album track “This Will All Happen Again” filmed in Germany. Nothing Hollywood has created could ever match the horrors that humans have done to each other.
What horror movie/TV show would you re-score if given the chance?
Synical founder Brian Haught has two answers to that question! Steven Kings Salem’s Lot from 1975 and the British TV show Space 1999.
What non-musical things inspire your music?
Great question! Synical’s music is the soundtrack to the downfall of civilization but in a goth dance club format. The sad state of world affairs, natural disasters, and man-made accidents all leave an impression musically.
What film/TV horror-related character would you most identify with? Why?
Brian Haught the singer of Synical relates mostly to Barnabas Collins from the TV series Dark Shadows. He is a 100+ year old creepy vampire who is still looking for his lost love while being a monster in the present modern day. You can love him, fear him, or hate him but it’s impossible to ignore him!
How do you handle fear as an artist?
The biggest fear in music is not being able to pull off the live concerts according to plan. The future’s uncertain and not everything is in the bands control. Live shows can really be scary but also very rewarding if successful.
What are your favorite horror movies?
Synical the band loves all the Phantasm movies, the original John Carpenters Halloween, The Fog, and The Thing, I Spit On Your Grave, most of the Hammer films from England, the Shining, Dawn of the Dead, and the Hellraiser movies.
What was the scariest night of your life?
Long ago in Macon, Georgia the band snuck into Rose Hill cemetery at night to find the dead Allman Brother’s graves. Everything was going great until the night watchman ran after us with a flashlight and shovel. We almost made it out by running across the railroad tracks when out of nowhere a speeding train came and almost killed us. It was terrifying.
If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
The band would consist of Stiv Bators from the Dead Boys on vocals, Dwayne Goettel from Skinny Puppy and James Wooley from NIN on keyboards, Randy Castillo from Red Square Black on drums, Andy Rourke from the Smiths on bass, and Keith Levene from the Clash/P.I.L. on guitar.
Final thoughts / Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
Horror is in the eye of the beholder but it’s an interesting and fascinating pathway that perfectly blends with the goth and darkwave music of Synical. As horror movie and TV fans ourselves, Synical is excited to be interviewed and involved in this community.
(Fan contacts…)
Website/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Bandcamp?
You can check out our videos on our amazing record label Cleopatra Records you tube channel https://www.youtube.com/@CleopatraRecords
https://www.facebook.com/SYNICALFOREVER
https://twitter.com/SynicalBand https://www.instagram.com/synicalmusic
Insert one of your video YouTube links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vVj9lheNSE
Terror Trax #231: Valentine Wolfe
Band Interview: Elektrikill
What horror-related themes have you found to be the most inspiring for your music?
Pino Donaggio’s music for Tourist Trap has always inspired me because of the non-musical elements he incorporated into the score. Angelo Badalamenti’s soundtrack for Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is deeply dark and unsettling.
- What horror movie/TV show would you re-score if given the chance?
Probably something made in the 70’s that was supposed to be depicting the future but the technology at the time wasn’t quite there yet for a “futuristic” sound. Logan’s Run would be a fun one to re-score.
- What non-musical things inspire your music?
Machines, especially ones that operate in some kind of rhythm. The new album has all kinds of non-musical sounds in it including a creaky metal gate, Aztec Death Whistles, a squealing pig, phone static and more. I feel like the true nature of industrial music is using found sounds in a musical way.
- What film/TV horror-related character would you most identify with? Why?
Michael in Phantasm. I would totally get killed because I would be just as curious about the Tall Man’s funeral parlor. Plus Michael thinks outside the box, which I also do.
- How do you handle fear as an artist?
Fear honestly doesn’t occur to me. It really doesn’t. I don’t usually panic about my music until the album is completely finished and it’s too late to do anything about it anyway. Until then, I have all the confidence of a 5 year-old in a Batman costume.
- What are your favorite horror movies?
My all-time favorite horror film is Tourist Trap. I’ve probably seen it over 100 times. I also love Squirm, The Fourth Kind, Santa Sangre, Eraserhead, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, Tusk, Phantasm and The Seventh Sign.
- What was the scariest night of your life?
I was attacked by dogs once. That was pretty terrifying. Had to get rabies shots and everything.
- If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
Freddie Mercury and David Bowie with Andrew Fletcher on keyboards. But I would absolutely be opening for them.
- Final thoughts / Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
There’s nothing scarier than the monster that’s already inside of you.
(Fan contacts…)
Elektrikill.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/svilelektrikill/
https://www.facebook.com/steven.vil.921
Insert one of your video YouTube links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5L2uJxK1qM
Band Interview: Tragic Visions
What horror-related themes have you found to be the most inspiring for your music? 
Jess Gibbs: The band itself and our name is a concept of media and influence. We try to portray how easily even a TV can influence, persuade or even convince people to do or think unbelievable things (especially in the 90s when the band name was created). Media control is our overall theme usually centered around the TV.
David Buyense: In our live performances we like to include gore and disturbing imagery. Our most recent live shows have included a life size crucified body with the head replaced by a television that plays synchronized video with our musical set and includes some clips of some classic horror scenes including psycho, reanimator, redneck zombies and dead alive amongst other things like eyeball surgeries and hypnosis wheels. I disembowel the thing midway through the show we have red painted noose in there some random organs and blood.
What horror movie/TV show would you re-score if given the chance?
Jess: Videodrome, not sure it’s legitimately a horror film, but the scenes and metaphors fit our ideas and sound so perfectly.
David: I agree with that, Videodrome would be a cool one to do. Not the question but I’d like to mention how much I love goblin’s music for Suspiria .
What non-musical things inspire your music?
Jess: Media influence/control and hive mind mentalities. We like to push people’s fears with lyrics about and images of blood, medical procedures, needles, psychotherapy procedures and corporal punishment.
What film/TV horror-related character would you most identify with? Why?
Jess: Lionel Cosgrove from Braindead (Dead Alive), he was a carefree innocent guy just trying to go about his life while the horrors are piling up. He eventually saves the world by taking care of his problems and doubts, mostly by killing his mom. I should probably call my therapist now. Besides he gets to mow down tons of zombies with a lawnmower.
How do you handle fear as an artist?
Jess: We shove it in your face and cause you to think on it. The things that scare you most you haven’t been exposed to yet or didn’t know you were exposed to currently.
What are your favorite horror movies?
Jess: I love all things Troma, the more shocking and gorier the better. Lloyd Kaufman is sadly not holding up well with newer generations. I’ve been infatuated with zombies my whole life so anything by George Romero especially Night and Dawn of the Living Dead. Not Romero but Return of the Living Dead is great, and my all-time favorite as made obvious above is Braindead (Dead Alive). I love the classics most Psycho, Suspiria, Nosferatu, The Shining, The Exorcist… I could go on and on. For our live sets we tend to have TVs playing images from several of these. The bloodier the better.
David: I mostly enjoy classics Vincent Price movies are my favorite, Alfred Hitchcock, Night of the living dead, Dracula and some other Bela Lugosi, Suspiria , Christopher Lee movies.
What was the scariest night of your life?
David-a home invasion at gunpoint
Jess: Well this is kind of an embarrassing story mostly because it was stupid of me on many levels, but we as kind of a band were out at a local dive bar in our home town one New Years Eve kinda waiting for the whole midnight celebration and I started talking the Doors with some clearly very wasted (in I’m sure more ways than 1 fan) and he wanted to buy me a drink. Of course, I say yeah, you’re buying I’m in. So, we walk up to the bar and it’s crazy packed and he asks if I want to go to the gas station across the street, sure why not. We get to the gas station and of course can’t drink there so he says he has a hotel which I declined immediately, but stupidly I was convinced with good conversation and what not. As soon as I got to this guy’s hotel room he immediately asks if I want to see something cool and points a loaded gun at my head. I calmly and reflexively pushed it away and said that wasn’t cool and asked if I could check it out. Around that time David calls me and asks where I am, and I came up with fake phone conversation about him having girls and meeting him out front while he has this weird wtf conversation on the otherwise of the line. Then I just hung up the phone threw the gun and ran like a MFer haha.
If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
David: go way back and bring Bach and Beethoven. Stiv Bators
Jess: Bill Reiflin , Jim Morrison, David Brockie
Final thoughts / Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
David: We’ve got a new album coming this spring follow us on Instagram to keep an eye out for it
http://www.instagram.com/tragic_visions99
http://tragicvisions.bandcamp.com
Insert one of your video YouTube links:
https://youtu.be/NoCRUi6EtQA?si=Mwe3Aji-Xu-kdT5r
Band Interview: 2 Forks
Where does the name, 2 Forks come from?
The name 2 Forks comes from a childhood nickname that some ladies in the neighborhood gave me. I was an ‘active’ kid and grew up in a neighborhood where the moms would invite you in after school and ask if you were hungry. I was lucky to be in a primarily Italian-American area, and I was always so hungry after school that I would gorge on pasta, pizza, meatballs, garlic bread, chicken parmesan – but always at a friend’s house. The mom’s would be together on the weekend and started talking to each other about my ability to clean out their refrigerators. One of them, sort of teasing me, came up with the name 2 Forks, due to my appetite. I wasn’t really ‘proud’ of the nickname, so I just laughed it off. For my 2 Forks persona, it just seemed to fit. I take on the persona as ‘Danny 2 Forks’ who has a more insatiable appetite about everything. The glove just seemed to fit.
What are examples of a movie, TV show and artist that inspired you growing up?
I really loved ‘Evil Dead 2’, ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’, ‘Repo Man’, ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’, ‘Liquid Sky’, and on TV I was addicted to ‘Three’s Company’.
What non-musical things inspire your music?
Sex, horror, latex, leather, flowers, the woods, dark nights.
What song on the new album, ‘Quanticode’ hits closest to home emotionally?
Probably ‘Rip My Hair’ – I’m afraid to think what would happen if I allowed some of these topics to be ‘close to home’. Some of my favorite actors employ the ‘method’ and I’m not sure how to come back. I’m not that good.
If you could re-score any horror soundtrack, which one would it be and why?
Return of the Living Dead – it was an awesome soundtrack and score, and it would be fun to give it a fresh coat of paint.
If you could present 2 Forks in a live event in any abandoned building or setting, where would you do so?
There are two that I’m interested in. One is Spahn Ranch, the other is the Hurst Castle. There are more, but these are on the list. I picked places in the USA, only because it was easy.
What TV or film horror character could you identify with and why?
Ash from Evil Dead 2 because he and I just want to have a good day, and everything around us has a different idea.
What was the scariest night of your life as an artist?
Getting shot at leaving the venue in Jacksonville.
If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
Marilyn Monroe
Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
Demand more theatrical releases and attend them. When you hear good music in a horror film, talk about it. When you don’t hear good music in a horror film, talk about it. And finally, it is normal to want to douse yourself in fake blood.
One URL – Website/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Bandcamp?
2forksmusic.com
Insert one of your video YouTube links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeJ-WbZfhxQ
Band Interview: Lords of October
NOTE: These answers are a combo from band members! Thanks!
What singers or bands inspired you growing up?
KISS, IRON MAIDEN, GOBLIN. There are so many, but these are three that still inspire today.
Who are your favorite artists today?
ANTHRAX, ALKALINE TRIO, I GOT WORMS
What non-musical things inspire your music?
Halloween, the season itself, Ray Bradbury, pro wrestling, our families and cryptozoology!
What Album/Song/Tour are you excited about right now?
The KISS farewell tour, the new John Carpenter album and the current Goblin tour where they are performing the DEMONS soundtrack!
Where was the coolest place to play? Where did you enjoy yourselves the most?
We all love Punk Rock Night at the Melody Inn, loved playing Joe Bob Brigg’s Drive in Jamboree and always enjoy playing with Doyle from the Misfits. Lucifer has played with the Misfits and Gwar in the past and we hope that Lords will play with them, too!
What are your favorite horror movies?
We love the Conjuring universe and the classics like The Exorcist, along with anything that moves our love for the genre. Lately, X and Pearl were great, as is the Fall of the House of Usher series.
What was the scariest night of your life?
Uncle Salem: In terms of being spooky, had a very interesting night at a house I was watching when I was about 19. Several strange things happened that seemed to defy logical explanation. We even wrote a song about it (“Marshall’s Gully”) and I wrote a book with the same title detailing that night and the strange events leading up to it. I also grew up on what would be known as the worst side of the infamous sunny Flint, Michigan, so as far as flat out scary goes…I have some stories. Too many of them. If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
Lucifer Fulci: Years ago, I cannot recall the exact date, but my old band was shooting a music video in Charlie Chaplin’s old mansion in Los Angeles. It was there that I encountered things I cannot explain. And then had to stay the rest of the night, too, guarding equipment. It was terrifying. I also had some experiences up near dodger stadium around the same time. Not just once, but many times. Changed my life.
If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
Aleister Kane: Eric Carr on drums, Lemmy on bass, EVH on guitar, Dio singing. That’d be pretty interesting.
Uncle Salem: Edward Van Halen, John Bonham…Phil Lynott seems interesting with them, and maybe the incredible Ray Gillen on vocals. Yeah. That band would kick ass.
Lucifer Fulci: Ronnie Dio on vocals, Dime and Eddie Van Halen on guitar, Cliff Burton on bass and Eric Carr on Drums.
Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
This is what we do…who we are. This is no gimmick! It is a natural extension of our spirits, made into monster music. We appreciate the true believers and we are mutants! We write, direct and edit our own videos and albums and are strictly independent. Lucifer Fulci and Uncle Salem are both published authors and award winning directors of horror shorts. We are proud of what we do! We love our fans, we love horror and we love you!
One URL – Website/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Bandcamp?
We have links below for some of our videos, too. Our latest one is a performance video called “The Slithering.” The song is about Lake Monsters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPf04QWMKEk
Insert one of your video YouTube links:
Lucifer Fulci – Uncle Salem – Aleister Kane – October Phoenix
Manager: David Stashko – 810.288.1582
Band Interview: Pas Musique Band
What singers or bands inspired you growing up?
Growing up I was inspired by Duran Duran, Alien Sex Fiend, Fad Gadget a.k.a. Frank Tovey, Coil, Zoviet France, Einstürzende Neubauten, just to name a few.
Who are your favorite artists today?
My favorite artists today are probably Sugar Candy Mountain, White Hills, Biosphere, A.M. Boys, Simona Zamboli, and Rapoon.
What non-musical things inspire your music?
Hermetic and esoteric philosophy. I really like Manly P. Hall, Krishnamurti, and Lon Milo Duquette. My music is very internal and meditative for me. Everytime I perform it’s like I am transforming built up energy into positive waves directed at the audience.
I am also inspired by art and painting. I am a part of Pictor Gallery here in New York City and when sitting at the gallery the new art and artists are inspired for my art and music.
Films also inspire me greatly. I love old Hammer Films and Italian Giallo films from Italy. They have amazing soundtracks!
If you had the chance to “re-score” a film, which film would it be and why?
And speaking of films…LOL. This is a hard one. I believe most soundtracks are already in stone for films I like. But if I had the chance, I’d love to score a Fellini film and maybe change the tone. Sound does amazing things for the direction films and I’d like to see a more edgy soundtrack for something like “La Dolce Vita”. It would be fun.
What are your favorite horror movies?
There are so maybe…I really love horror films. I have a huge collection. But here are a few.
- Cemetery Man (1994) by Michele Soavi
- The Exorcist by (1973) by William Friedkin
- Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973) by John Newland
- The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) by Jack Arnold
- Baron Blood (1972)
- All the Colors of the Dark (1972) by Sergio Martino
- Torso (1973) Sergio Martino
- Horror of Dracula (1958) by Terence Fisher
- The Crimson Cult (1968) Vernon Sewell
- Mystics in Bali H. Tjut Djalil
What character in any horror movie or show could you identify with and why?
I always loved Rupert Everett’s character Francesco Dellamorte in Cemetery Man a.ka. Dellamorte dellamore. I just loved the way he dressed in a long-sleeved white shirt, black jeans, and engineer boots. He was kind of punk in a way. He also had a funny sense of sarcasm and took everything with humor even when zombies were chasing him. And I have to say I am a bit jealous about his intimacy with Anna Falchi as She. LOL
What was the scariest night of your life?
The scariest night that comes to mind was driving through the night looking for a hotel I booked after a show around 1am in Georgia. I had to drive in super thick fog and had to pull over a few times. Then when I got to the hotel no one was there to check me in. Then an undercover patrolman came out of his car while pulling out his gun. He asked what the hell I was doing here. I said I was trying to check in. Then he said I had to leave and call the office for a refund. When I eventually found another hotel, I searched on the internet for what happened. It appeared that some guy was stalking the hotel desk clerk and was threatening her and there was some altercation. So, I basically walked into a situation that was already tense.
If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
John Coltrane on sax, Lux Interior on vocals, Keith Moon on drums, Booty Collins on Bass, and Brian Jones on guitar.
Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
Thanks for the interview. May Cthulhu and Maila Nurmi be with you!
One URL – Website/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Bandcamp?
Insert one of your video YouTube links:
Band Interview: Supernova 1006
What singers or bands inspired you growing up?
- My main inspiration was the punk and hip-hop scene. The heyday of the 2000s… it was very cool. I admired rancid, dead boys, nofx, black flag, audio two, ultramagnetic MC’s, Paul wall, Jurassic 5, sonic youth and death from above 1979.
Who are your favorite artists today?
- Well, I can listen to completely different music… but, mmmm, I would like to highlight most of all Tobias Bernstrup, Placebo, the early A Place To Bury Strangers, the late work of John Foxx with The Maths… and, perhaps, Salem!
What non-musical things inspire your music?
- It always turned out that music was born when some shit was going on in life. Under the weight of stress and emotional unrest, I get something really cool! When everything in your life is calm and measured, it’s not the same…
What Album/Song/Tour are you excited about right now?
- Chains is one of my most emotional and hardest works at the moment. We are very pleased with the result!
Have you performed outside of Russia? If so, what differences do you notice about the Russian audiences from those in other countries.
- We haven’t traveled much…unfortunately. We performed in Germany in several cities, in the Czech Republic and Poland. The difference between the public is colossal! In Russia the public is generally a little appreciative and a little aggressive. But I don’t consider this a negative, hahaha. In Europe, people buy your merch at concerts, take pictures with you and thank you with the nicest words. I remember these days with warmth in my soul – some people wait late at night so that when leaving the concert hall they can simply shake your hand, hug you and sometimes even kiss you! I have never seen anything like this anywhere in Russia…we really hope to return to concert activities abroad as soon as the slightest opportunity arises!
What are your favorite horror movies?
- Oooooh
In general, there are thousands of them, but you asked and I forgot everything hahaha
let me see…
Just last week I rewatched Sinister and two parts of Insidious. and god how awesome it is. I also like Doom..few people like this picture and many people criticize it, but not me! As a child, I was greatly influenced by Dracula 2000, Thing (1982) and Creature (1998). I also remember this movie, it was called something like Thanatomorphose, it’s incredibly nasty but surprisingly cool.
What was the scariest night of your life?
- The worst night for me was when I was vaccinated against COVID19, and at night I suddenly woke up from the fact that I was shaking madly. I took my temperature and saw 41.2 on the thermometer; there wasn’t a single antipyretic tablet in the house. It was 2 o’clock in the morning. The phones of relatives and friends were silent. In a panic, I turned over all the cabinets and only found one paracetamol tablet in the depths of the drawer with dishes. It saved my life!
If you could re-write the music score for any horror movie, which one would it be?
- I think it would be The Purge
If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
- Without a doubt it would be Jacob Thiele – The Faint
Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
- Love the classics haha! …..In general, I would advise not only watching horror films, but also playing horror games. Now, for example, I’m replaying Silent Hill Homecoming and Dead Space, this is my love!
Band Interview: Sonum Unum
What singers or bands have inspired Sonum Unum since its beginning?
Craig: Even though you may not exactly hear the influences in our music I was always heavily inspired by anything Mike Patton related, Enya, Thom Yorke, Trent Reznor, Liz Fraser.
Are there any “stories” behind the tracks on the new album that one might consider emotionally or psychologically “scary”?
Craig: Not really…hate to disappoint.
What non-musical things inspire your music? Literature, sculpture, painting, etc?
Craig: Overall the human experience and connection between our spirit and the physical realm.
Where do you think the next Sonum Unum album will take you?
Craig: I’d like to get a little darker… especially vocally… Possibly dive into something conceptual. I also feel like we got a good start with this debut but I’d like our future songs to become more structurally dynamic, atmospheric and spacious.
If you could “re-score” any horror movie soundtrack, what would it be?
Craig: Coil’s version of Hellraiser or Goblin’s Suspiria
What are your favorite horror movies?
Craig : Day of the Dead, Hellraiser, Nightbreed… Also in case no one has heard of it there’s a movie called The Ritual that came out a few years ago that’s terrifying. I can’t say much about new horror movies but this one blew my mind.
What was the scariest night of your life?
Craig: I used a Ouija board for over 2 hours with a friend and I had some crazy psychological experiences that I can barely explain.
If you could bring back musical “greats” who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
Craig: Elvis, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash
Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
Craig: Stay freaky and weird…even when you’re old.
One URL – www.sonumunum.bandcamp.com Website/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Bandcamp?
@sonumunum on all socials
Insert one of your video YouTube links: https://youtu.be/t6mVtBd0IW0?si=7ZrqDwt8cGpKY6z_
Terror Trax #230: Metamorph
Band Interview: ASHES FALLEN
What singers or bands inspired you growing up?
My first musical inspirations were my mother and father. My mom was very involved in church music and played classical guitar, and from boyhood I wanted to play the guitar. My father had once had dreams of being a classical composer and there was always classical music on the stereo in the living room, and all that musicality and grandeur has definitely influenced me as a musician from day one. Like most kids of my generation, when Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” came out in 1983, I was obsessed. I would run around the house with a toy microphone singing his songs! After I discovered that we got MTV on television I really started getting into music, got my first electric guitar, started a band, all that fun stuff. Through high school I was mostly into metal, it wasn’t until a little later that I discovered punk, then industrial, and finally goth and post-punk. I think all of those influences show up in what we do.
Who are your favorite artists today?
There’s so much great music out there, I don’t know where to begin. Michelle and I just love Gary Numan and we’re so inspired that even into his 60s, he’s putting out fresh, vital, current music, he’s NOT just playing the hits from 40+ years ago, and he’s an incredible performer. We’re not kids anymore ourselves, so seeing someone older than us doing what he’s doing is really inspiring.
We’ve gotten to share the stage with a lot of really great bands the last few years. Nox Novacula are just so powerful onstage. ACTORS are tremendous, such catchy tunes. Black Rose Burning just put out a killer album, and George Grant is such a great guy with a big strong voice, and I love that he’s just doing his own thing and absolutely not following trends. 
What non-musical things inspire your music?
Life, really. And late-night conversations with Michelle. Almost everything on our new album “Walk Through Fire” is autobiographical or based on my observations of other people or the state of the world. For the most part, I write what’s real to me, what I experience, what I feel. It’s my way of working things out and sometimes making something beautiful out of something ugly.
There’s one song on the album that isn’t autobiographical at all, and that’s “The Blood is the Life”, about Count Dracula. Although it basically just sets the stage for Dracula as depicted by Bram Stoker, I was actually inspired to write it while reading “Incarnadine”, which is a very clever reimagining of the Dracula mythos as a first-person memoir of the few hundred years leading up to his fateful meeting with Jonathan Harker, written by the filmmaker R. H. Greene (who also indirectly inspired our song “Vampira – The Ballad of Maila” with his documentary “Vampira And Me”!) It’s a shame that book isn’t better known, it’s really very clever, and very much based on Slavic vampire folklore, and it was so fun to read.
What Album/Song/Tour are you excited about right now?
We’re so excited about our new album. It is absolutely the best Ashes Fallen and the best album of my career. We’ve come such a long way and I’m so very proud. I think I’ve developed a lot as a singer, songwriter, lyricist, and producer, and the whole band just worked together so well on this album. Michelle had some great song ideas, delivered some great vocal performances, and always inspires me to be so much better. Jason knocked out of the park on the guitar in the studio too! We’ve got some live shows happening through the end of the year in California, Nevada, and Utah, including a few places we’ve never played before, and we can’t wait to keep showcasing our new songs.
Where was the coolest place to play? Where did you enjoy yourselves the most?
We just performed at New York City’s A Murder of Crows Goth and Post-Punk Festival, at the Bowery Ballroom, last September 1st. September 1st was also the release date of our new album, so we got to perform a lot of brand new material we’re very proud of for the very first time. It was a really great night for us, the best show we ever played, to an incredible crowd. There were music fans and DJs and promoters from all over the world, and most of them were seeing us live for the very first time. We love being in New York anyway, what an amazing city. If I could do it again tomorrow, I would!
What are your favorite horror movies?
Michelle and I watch a lot of vampire films (surprise, surprise!) I love a lot of the older classics, like Nosferatu, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein… we actually just saw Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari with a live score performed by the Invincible Czars, that was really cool! We’re not much for blood and gore, give us subtlety, give us the creepy psychological stuff that makes you think. The imagination can be much more terrifying than blood and guts.
What was the scariest night of your life?
For me, the scariest nights were times when I was frightened things might not work out. But you know what? I just got some really bad news and I’m not even that bothered by it, because I’ve got Michelle by my side, and I’ve been through a lot and come out on top, I know I’ll get through it!
If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
If I could bring back the greats who have passed on, we’d be the opening band, or in the audience! How about an undead festival: undead Ramones, undead Freddie Mercury, undead Rozz Williams, undead New York Dolls, undead Stiv Bators…
Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
Thanks for reading! Keep it scary!
One URL – Website/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Bandcamp?
https://ashesfallenmusic.bandcamp.com
Insert one of your video YouTube links:
“New Normal” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcFP94PgIC4
Terror Trax #229: Gleaming
Best Band Season 17 – Poll
Who was your favorite band of 2022’s Season?
Vote now: https://forms.gle/gyy5ju6LryBHdSPU6
Vote now so they can be voted “Best Band!”
Who will it be?
Crimson Brulee
The Royal Ritual
SEVIT
Bourbon House
Panic Lift
Luscious Apparatus
The Picassos
Vision Video
Against I
Zwaremachine
Amulet
The Neuro Farm
Robbie Quine
Vote now: https://forms.gle/gyy5ju6LryBHdSPU6
Poll closes October 15th.
Terror Trax #228: Meersein
Terror Trax #227: 40 Octaves Below
Terror Trax #226: Maroco + Mach Fox
Terror Trax #225: Sinthetik Messiah
Terror Trax #224: Luna Del Luna
Terror Trax #223: Jonathan Christian
Terror Trax #222: Cathedral in Flames
Terror Trax #221: ASTARI NITE
Merrill’s Musical Musings: Astari Nite
When I think of Horrifying Housewives, I’m reminded of Mommy Dearest, Stepford Wives, and even a few in my own life which I won’t name here. I definitely think music has turned many women into negative caricatures, but there are a few memorable scenes from movies where the woman loses it, and manages to make an epic stand.
Review
“Bowie in DayDreams” by Astari Nite
A lovingly crafted tribute to our beloved David Bowie, Astari Nite has released the track “Bowie in DayDreams,” which shows just how powerful the deceased artist’s influence truly is. From the vocals to the atmospheric sound, the track whisks you away to a damp street at night where the only streetlight illuminates the chameleonic star waiting for you with a cigarette between his lips. Astari Nite’s catalog is worth a listen. You just might find some other gems like “Gloomy Witch” and “Capulet Loves Montague” worth your while.
Got other recommendations to fit this week’s theme? Feel free to drop them in the comments or email me at rlmerrillauthor at gmail dot com. Here’s the playlist link for this season. And if you’re a horrible housewife, well, we salute you! Stay Tuned for More…
Terror Trax #220: In a Darkened Room
Merrill’s Musical Musings : In a Darkened Room
Bad Babies
This week’s theme is Bad Babies, and there are definitely some memorable bad kids in books and cinema. Rosemary’s Baby, Chucky, Damien, Regan from The Exorcist, and little Danny from The Shining…I still have nightmares about Gage from Pet Sematary. But how about music? Read on for Ro’s Recs for the best music about naughty children.
Review
In A Darkened Room
Texas-based band In a Darkened Room recently released their album Sorrows, a dark lullaby reminiscent of moody bands like The Church and Type-O Negative. With a fathomless, gloomy collection of songs, Sorrows will touch that darkest place inside you and soothe it for a while. The album woos you with melancholy vocals and down-tuned guitars on tracks like “Final Vows” and “Doom and Gloom.” Then it picks up the pace slightly with ”Sleep Again,” and Hollow.” Fans of The Cure’s Disintegration, and Peter Murphy’s deep vocal stylings will enjoy Sorrows. It’s a great piece for the after-party comedown or as a soundtrack for a dreary day with gray skies. Fall asleep to the album and you might just dream of dark places.
Ro’s Recs
This was a fun list to put together, all those bad kids in rock ‘n’ roll. Here are my recommendations for tunes about naughty kids. Thanks to the Houston Press article and this Music Industry piece for some inspiration.
- Skid Row – Youth Gone Wild
- Social Distortion – Mommy’s Little Monster
- Oingo Boingo – Only A Lad
- Pearl Jam – Jeremy
- Pink Floyd – Another Brick In The Wall
- My Chemical Romance – Teenagers
- David Bowie – Because You’re Young
- Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – When A Kid Goes Bad
- The Who – The Kids Are Alright
- The Offspring – The Kids Aren’t Alright
- Rory Gallagher – Messing With The Kid
- The Black Keys – Sinister Kid
I know there are many, many more and I’d love to hear your favorites! Hit me up in the comments or email at rlmerrillauthor dot com! Stay Tuned for More…
Terror Trax #219: Vvmpyre
Merrill’s Musical Musings : VVmpyre
Predatory Plants
Greetings Horror Addicts! This week’s theme is predatory plants, and what could possibly be more terrifying than meeting your demise at the…leaves? roots? teeth? of one of nature’s children? Of course, we love listening to Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors belt out the tunes, but are there other deadly-yet-irresistible plants out there? Read on for my recs after this week’s review that will have you dressing fancy for a night of dancing.
Review: VVMPYRE
Hailing from Michigan, goth/darkwave artist VVMPYRE is serving up “dance music for vampires, horror scores for the nightclubs, and shocktronica for the uninitiated.” Their latest offering, Neon Night Fright is the perfect soundtrack for a fang-banging good time at the blood orgy of the season. With heart-pounding beats and terrifyingly tempting vocals, VVMPYRE had my head bobbing from the first beat. “My Love Is A Zombie” is a great intro track to the band, but I highly suggest you head over to Bandcamp and listen to their latest album from the beginning. With alternating guest vocalists, each track has a darkwave dance beat and provides the best goth workout playlist you could hope for. “Offering,” “Freedom Of Death,” and “Sky Falls Down,” are all tracks I’ll be listening to on repeat. I highly recommend checking out VVMPYRE. Buy the album on Bandcamp, stream it on Spotify, but acquaint yourselves with this awesome collection of danceably dark tunes.
Ro’s Recs
To celebrate Predatory Plants, here are some great tracks that feature Mother Nature’s gifts.
- Book Of Love – I Touch Roses
- David Bowie – Moss Garden
- The Cranberries – Daffodil Lament
- Stevie Wonder – Venus Flytrap and The Bug
- Nirvana – Marigold
- PJ Harvey – Plants and Rags
- Troye Sivan — Bloom
- Mumford and Sons – Thistle and Weeds
- MARINA — Flower
- Kate Bush – Flower of the Mountain
- Johnny Cash – Wildwood Flower
- Avett Brothers – Famous Flower of Manhattan
- Eurythmics – Thorn In My Side
Have any favorites you’d like to add? Here’s the playlist link for this season. There are so many, and I’m sure I could have found some spookier ones for my Horror Addicts, but these all had quite a vibe. Hope you get out and enjoy some spring flowers…unless you’re like me and you’re allergic, which means that plants really can be deadly. I’ll see you on the inside, and Stay Tuned For More…
Terror Trax #218: Al1ce
Merrill’s Musical Musings : Derision Cult
Macabre Musicians
Horror Addicts, it’s a new year, but is it a new you? Or are you just as cynical, melodramatic, and haunted as ever? Personally, the past year smacked me around even harder than the previous two years, and I’ve got my guard up for another year of challenges. The best way to stave off the doldrums? Good music. So let’s start this season off with some hard-rocking Macabre Musicians.
Review
The band Derision Cult, described as “Chicago Industrial Metal for psychos charlatans and the age of regression,” offered up the supercharged album Mercenary Notes #1 in late 2022 and I’m here for it. There are many vibes represented here, but it’s a delightfully dark collection of hits that fits this week’s theme perfectly.
The album starts off with two industrial tracks that each had a strong groove, but then I got to “Deaf Blood,” featuring Chris Connelly and Reese Gabrels, and the hardcore punk-esque chanting had my lip curling and my fist pumping. “Slaves Rebuild” has a droning voice riffing about the doldrums of life and it sucks you in with its dry humor. “Bastards of the World” will appeal to fans of Rob Zombie with a hard-hitting rhythm and growly vocals. “Mercenary” gives a Bauhaus vibe, and I love the guitars on “Year Hope Failed,” which reminded me a bit of old-school industrial punks The Butthole Surfers. Mercenary Notes #1 is a solid effort and enjoyable through to the end.
Ro’s Recs
Macabre Musicians are my favorite, so here’s a list of some of the best you should check out, if you haven’t already, along with my favorite tracks and some brand new tunes:
- Ghost – Danse Macabre
- Slipknot – Bone Church
- Everybody Dies – Billie Eilish
- Younger Hunger – Dead Inside
- Black Sabbath – Sabbra Cadabra
- The Misfits – Die, Die My Darling
- Metallica – Screaming Suicide
- Judas Priest – Beyond The Realm of Death
- Iron Maiden – Be Quick or Be Dead
- Camille Saint–Saëns: “Danse macabre in G Minor, Op. 40
- Death Cab for Cutie – I Will Follow You Into The Dark
- The Smiths – Suffer Little Children
- Harley Poe – I Wanna Die
Thanks to this article from 34th Street for some inspiration. I hope you discover some new Macabre Musicians on this list, and feel free to share with me some of your favorites! That’s it for this week, but Stay Tuned for More…
Horror Curated: Music in Review
Dakini
Lisa Hammer
Former Requiem In White/Mors Syphilitica vocalist, Lisa Hammer, has a new album out titled Dakini, which the artist’s website describes as “Medieval songs, Indian Ragas, Appalachian Folk Music, Middle-Eastern Drones, and Opera.” Dakini is a re-release of Hammer’s classic album with some previously unreleased tracks that will attract fans of atmospheric music such as Enya and Dead Can Dance. The pieces on this album are appropriate for accompanying your rituals or to fill the spaces between light and dark. Hammer’s clear and pleasant voice will carry you away on a mystical journey of the senses. With Latin, Indian, and Celtic influences, Hammer’s album will appeal to those looking for soothing sounds on a cold evening night by the fire. Standout tracks include “In Taberna Quando Summus” and “Kyrie Orbis Facto,” which will stay with the listener long after. Hammer writes soundtrack music for film, theatre, and TV, and sings as a guest artist with the Brooklyn psychedelic musical project: Fashion Bird Danger Danger. She is currently writing and recording the next Radiana album and a second solo album to be released by The Circle Music. Lisa is also an award-winning filmmaker, currently working on several projects. Horror Addicts who enjoy artists like Valentine Wolfe will enjoy Hammer’s work. Pick up Dakini and be bathed in Hammer’s sensual and enticing world. Dare I say the album would make a great soundtrack for a Bloody Tea… Read more in Bloody Tea.
Featured Music #217: Robbie Quine
Featured Music #216: The Neuro Farm
Daniel Oullette Artist Interview – by William Zimmerman
What horror-related themes have you found to be the most inspiring for your music?
Universal Studios Monsters and Kaiju Films
What horror movie/TV show would you re-score if given the chance?
Are Hallmark Channel movies considered horror? Because they are scary! Hmm… Dark Shadows from the 1960/the 70s would be fun!
What non-musical things inspire your music?
Buddhism, the sea, Julia Child, Elvira Mistress of the Dark, Gardening, my loved ones because so many are creative.
What film/TV horror-related character would you most identify with? Why?
I think Elvira because of the balance of horror and humor which I love.
How do you handle fear as an artist?
Sometimes I walk right into it and sometimes I walk right beside it or around it. I don’t like to walk away from fear. I walk away from other things like foolishness. Life is always out of our hands a bit.
What are your favorite horror movies?
Dracula, Dracula’s Daughter, The Others, Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolfman, Pan’s Labyrinth
What was the scariest night of your life?
Is this about something supernatural? A friend and I once went ghost hunting along route 44 in Rehobeth, MA, and ended up having the rubber of the tire break and slap the side of the car. We were sure it was a ghost! There is a fable about a ghost there.
If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
Ofra Haza, though I would have to be her opening act.
Her voice was from celestial realms not yet discovered.
Final thoughts / Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
Please check out my new album El salón (A Happy Home is a Haunted Home)! It is horror and humor and what I hope is weird fun!
(Fan contacts…)
Website/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Bandcamp?
https://danielouellette.bandcamp.com/album/el-sal-n-a-happy-home-is-a-haunted-home
Video YouTube link:
O lindo sonâmbulo (Um fantasma na minha casa)
Featured Music #215: Amulet
Best Band Season 16 – Poll
Who was your favorite band of 2021’s Season?
Vote now so they can be voted “Best Band!”
Who will it be?
Valentine Wolfe
Static X
Dissonance
Vexillary
Riot Legion
Black Angel
Provision
The Funhouse Collective
Batavia
Palace of Tears
In Chasms Deep
Elle Noir
Night Terror
Vote now: https://forms.gle/xjJXBSBT6kqPVSrh6
Poll closes Sept 30th.
Merrill’s Musical Musings – Mechanical Horror/Zwaremachine
Zwaremachine
Greetings Horror Addicts! I hope you’re surviving the Dog Days of Summer. I mean, it’s fine, I guess. Sunny, hot, daylight comes early…what’s not to love? BLECK. I must be patient, I know, but that’s tough when our mistress Emz posts pictures of the spooky offerings at Ross and Michael’s and there are SO many great horror flicks online. I’ve already hit Etsy for some creepy goods while binging What We Do In The Shadows. Man, I love that show with its dark moody set where it feels as if it’s always nighttime is perfect for those, uh, sunny summer days. BARF. We watched Day Shift with Jamie Foxx and Dave Franco and I loved it! It’s got a Zombieland feel, but the action was WAY more intense…and graphic. Watch the trailer on Netflix and see what I mean. Any favorites from this summer? Hit me up at rlmerrillauthor@gmail.com and share your favorites.
Ro’s Reviews
Since we’re featuring Mechanical Horror this week, we’re revisiting industrial artist Zwaremachine (reviewed on Horror Addicts in September 2019). They’re back with a couple of catchy tunes called “Parasol” and “Resist.” Both songs have great rhythm and instrumentally they remind me of the 80s synth music that was heavily featured in movie soundtracks. Folks have gone wild for shows like Stranger Things and Archive 81—can you tell I’ve been watching WAY too much TV?—and both shows’ scores have this vibe. Their track “Resist” also has a retro sound I’d compare to Nitzer Ebb or Prodigy. Fans industrial dance tracks might want to check out the band’s catalogue. I can picture films like
Shout Outs
Dark Wave Doom artist Jonathan Christian’s “Talkin’ Bout The Wolf” is an intriguing tune you should check out. Seattle Darkwave artist NUDA’s instrumental “Trigger” is full of hooks and effects that tease the senses and will likely give the listener an inkling of what their live shows would be like. Bellhead’s “Nothing As It Seems” is a super creepy industrial track with shudder-inducing whisper-talk lyrics and a fun drum track. Don’t listen at night by yourself.
Ro’s Recs
I love the radio function on Spotify and YouTube Music. I’ve found so many bands that I really dig that way. My latest discovery was a heavy rock band from Sweden called Witchcraft. They have the same vibe as another recent discovery, Nashville’s All Them Witches, and the similarity goes farther than the similar names and themes. Their music styles are alike, the kind of rock that you can just zone out to, get in the flow and get shit done. Or not. Get bewitched by these excellent bands.
That’s it for this edition of Merrill’s Musical Musings. Have you been following along on the YouTube Music Playlist for this season’s show? If not, check it out, and Stay Tuned for more…
Josie Pace Interview From William Zimmerman
What TV/movie horror character do you most identify with and why?
I feel like I always identify with the misunderstood villains, I can always see their side of things for the most part. But every time I watch “The Lost Boys” I feel an absolute connection with David…a kick-ass hair connection that is, and who wouldn’t want to be an awesome vampire with platinum hair?
What is the most frightening thing you’ve written about as a lyricist?
I think the most frightening thing I’ve written about is death/ loss of someone close to me. I’ve written about losing my close friend in a car accident and also losing my friend and manager to suicide. It is scary but everyone can relate to losing someone. Writing about it really helps my grieving process and it definitely keeps my memories of them closer to me.
What non-musical things inspire your music?
I pull from emotions from personal experiences, nature, and even solitude. All of these things really inspire songs and pull from deeper parts of myself. I am constantly getting ideas from scents that remind me of past events which bring up emotions and things I have forgotten about.
What is the meaning behind the album name, ‘IV0X10V5’?
We took the name “IV0X10V5” (pronounced noxious) from my song “Battleground”. Whilst shooting the music video, my friend and artist painted the lyrics of the song onto my body to mimic tattoos. Across my collar bone, she painted noxious, but the way that she painted it looked more like how we write it for the album. Almost like leet speak. It just stuck with us ever since then.
If you could re-score any horror movie or tv show, what would it be?
I love the soundtrack to The Craft and I think it would be SO fun to re-score it with some modern music with keeping the feel of the 90s. I’d kill to hear my songs in a horror movie.
What are your favorite horror movies?
I would have to say my favorite horror movies are Scream (1996), Raw, and Donnie Darko. I love the cheesy jump scares of Scream. And both Scream and Raw have some awesome amounts of bloodiness. But the psychological aspects of all three of these movies are so interesting I could watch them a thousand times.
What was the scariest night of your life?
I have quite a few, but one that sticks in my head is when I was flying back to MI from Cali. I absolutely hate flying but I suck it up for the most part and wear my brave face even if I have to bring a stuffed animal on the flight with me. The flight was about 5 hours and I remember it being the worst turbulence I’ve ever experienced. At one point we had dropped altitude so fast that my arms flew into the air. I was certain we would be falling out of the sky at any moment. I had put on a movie before takeoff and I didn’t watch any of it. I was gripping the armrests and squeezing my eyes shut for the ENTIRE flight. I was scared out of my mind.
My heart never beat so hard. I remember getting off the flight and being absolutely drained. My arms were sore from gripping the armrests for so long. Not super scary to most but it is one of my biggest fears.
If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your
undead opening band?
There are so many that I would love to bring back. Recently I’ve been listening to Alice in Chains and I would love to bring back Layne Staley, his voice is so iconic and his songwriting was so unique. I would bring back Taylor Hawkins on drums, have to have Jimi Hendrix on guitar and John Lennon on the bass.
Final thoughts / Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
Thank you for checking out my interview, now “We’re friends till the end, remember?” -Chuckie (Childs Play [1988])
https://www.facebook.com/JosiePaceGSM
https://www.instagram.com/josiepacemusic_official_/
https://josiepace.bandcamp.com/
“I’m Begging You” Music Video
Featured Music #213: Against i
Merrill’s Musical Musings : Heavy Metal / A Fitting Revenge
Greetings Horror Addicts! I hope this bit of Musical Musing finds you in a good place. I’ve come up with a theory, want to hear it? Yeah. Good. See, my kid’s school starts in early August now. I decided that means it’s fall, and therefore time to bust out the spookies! Right? With this declaration, I put on one of my Halloween necklaces and I treated myself to some new décor this past weekend. Emz and I represented HorrorAddicts.net at Creatures Con in Concord, met some cool fellow horror peeps, and shared info on the podcast and HorrorAddicts.net Press. I even ran into a few music fans, including a dude in a Slipknot jumpsuit, a young’un sporting a Pierce the Veil shirt, and a gal wearing a homemade, hand-painted System of a Down shirt. I was in heaven chatting with folks about music and horror, and how much we all miss getting together in person! I came home fired up, jammed out to some Ghost, and finished a novella I was writing featuring vampires, witches, and Shifters. Life is good.
Let’s get to the meat of my Musings and talk about Heavy Metal. I got to chat with our very own Historian of Horror Mark Orr about my favorite genre of music this week and I’m sure I geeked out on him quite a bit. I highly recommend watching Metal Evolution, a ten-part docuseries that features all of the subgenres of heavy music. Check it out and tell me what you think!
Ro’s Reviews
We’ve got a few musical offerings to fit the theme. Melodic death metal outfit A Fitting Revenge from Rochester, New York, launch into punishing yet technically sound riffs from the beginning of their newly released album Omnipresence. Horror Addicts who love to get lost in an album with superior musicianship will enjoy tracks like “The Infinite” and “The Inquisition,” the latter of which takes the listener on an epic sonic journey. Fans of Killswitch Engage, Angelmaker, and Enterprise Earth will dig this sci-fi-infused offering.
Shout Outs
She 1 Him 2 has put out a couple of singles this year that are worth checking out, including a cover of the Bowie classic “Fame” and “Stuck Inside” a situation many of us can relate to after the past couple of years. Artist CARV.R released the single “Iris,” which has melodic vocals over an excellent hypnotic dance track. And Sirens of Light shared with us a delightful cover of “Revolver” from Mission of Burma. I hope to hear more from these sirens.
Ro’s Recs
I would be remiss if I didn’t inform you that Texas band Space Cadet reunited recently for some shows and released a brand-new album titled 11 that is, quite simply, fire. It harkens back to the early days of grunge but with a modern-day vibe that invokes nostalgia at the same time that it fits with current hard rock/metal radio offerings. I hope this is the beginning of the second half of their career as I’m absolutely sold. Tracks like “All Over But The Dying Now” and “Like a Ghost” definitely go to eleven.
Another must-listen is the all-female Mexican hard rock band The Warning. Their video for “Disciple” has some creepy, mind-control visuals that are a little too close for comfort these days. Check them out!
Check out the tunes above on my YouTube Music Playlist and Stay Tuned for more…
Featured Music #212: Vision Video
Merrill’s Musical Musings : Vision Video
Vision Video
Greetings Horror Addicts! As summer stretches on and sunny days rule, we can feel some comfort in the fact that we just passed the 100-day mark. Yes, less than 100 days until Halloween! Stores are starting to put up their decorations and I can’t WAIT to see what this year’s spooky season has in store. Perhaps a few sea creatures should be added to my décor…
Yes, there’s something welcoming and yet terrifying about the wide-open waters, and musicians throughout time have created songs and music inspired by the sea. Since we here at Horror Addicts are all about the creepier side of art, I thought I’d write about some of the creepier music from the depths. See my list of recs below.
Ro’s Reviews
This episode’s review is of the phenomenal goth rock band from Athens, Georgia, who rep the area’s legacy for great alternative music well. I reviewed their debut album Inked in Red on the April 2021 episode of Merrill’s Musical Musings and I’ve been shouting from the rooftops about them ever since. They recently released a new single and video called “Beautiful Day To Die” and once more I’m here to sing their praise. The mellow, moody track is on the softer side for the goth punk pop band but the gorgeous harmonies will suck you in despite the flowery sunshine of the video. In fact, the dichotomy of the field of wildflowers while musing about death is perfection. The band has been touring for the past few months and you can find clips of their shows on YouTube, their Instagram page—which also features the hilariously hip advice from Goth Dad—and I highly recommend you check them out or heck, even catch them live!
Shout Outs
Oh, Lord. Where are my Weird Al Yankovic fans? Psychostick has tickled my metal heart with their new versions of metal songs we love. I am so digging songs like “Numbers” and “Bruce Campbell.” If you want a chuckle, check them out. It looks like they’re even taking a trip under the sea… Metal band Locust Grove released a new album called Battle of the Locust and if songs like “Monster” are any indication, they should make metal fans quite happy.
Ro’s Recs
The ocean is definitely one of my favorite places to be, although I don’t go nearly enough. There’s something peaceful about it, but there also lies a warning to humans who think they are invincible. Whether it was films like Jaws, The Abyss, or The Lighthouse reminding me to never turn my back on the water, or my own life experiences, I have a healthy respect for the water and what lives beneath. When the Pirates of the Caribbean movies were insanely popular, there were lots of folks praising the resurgence of sea chanties. I picked up Rogue’s Gallery back then and it’s a lot of fun. There’s even a Son of Rogue’s Gallery you can jam out to. They’re naughty and I just love them. I also made y’all a little gift. Songs of the sea for your dark little hearts. Okay, some of the songs are dark, and some are just classics or by artists us Horror Addicts love. Have any other ideas? Send them to me at rlmerrillauthor@gmail.com.
Check out the tunes above on my YouTube Music Playlist and Stay Tuned for more…
Featured Music #211: The Picassos
Merrill’s Musical Musings: Luscious Apparatus
Greetings Horror Addicts!
Ro’s Reviews
Luscious Apparatus shares their single “Infiltrate” with us this week. The band was inspired to write this song by the deplorable reports that have surfaced regarding Brian Warner AKA “Marilyn Manson” and the abuse he allegedly inflicted on several partners. Artists who use their voice to lift others up have my appreciation and the song “Infiltrate” is a moving entry point to the band whose sound will appeal to fans of the goth rockers like Evanescence. For those who are/were Manson fans and who are troubled/angered by the reports, you are not alone. As we begin to learn more disturbing facts about our musical “heroes,” it’s difficult to decide: do I continue to listen? Do I stop supporting?” Every music fan must decide for themselves. In the meantime, let me know what you think about Luscious Apparatus.
Disconnected is one of those artists that comes to me through the Horror Addicts HQ and within the first few bars of the song I recognize a kindred spirit. Melodic hard rockers from France, their latest album We Are Disconnected kicks off with “Life Will Always Find Its Way” and sucks you in. The vocals, both screaming and clean, are hauntingly compelling. I will definitely be listening to more from this band. “King of the World” and “Your Way To Kill,” are standouts as well. The harmonies are awesome and the hopeful vibe takes me back to some late 80s metal bands who knew that a power ballad was the way to a true fan’s heart.
Shout Outs
Dual Analog dropped their debut album Lust, Worship, and Desire. They dub their genre Turbowave and it’s definitely a vibe for folks who dig 80s bands like Book of Love and New Order’s offshoot Electronic. Against I released their EP O.M.G this spring and this one is great for folks who dig heavier industrial music like Rammstein and Static X. Cliff & Ivy’s “Bloody Ghost” has a 90s post-grungey kind of sound, so if that’s your jam, check them out.
Ro’s Recs
So my daughter and I have been watching Archive 81 and I cannot for the life of me tell you what is the creepiest thing about it. The music, however, is seriously ominous and music plays a significant role in the storyline. Anyone watching it? Anyone have ideas? Don’t spoil it for me, but if you are digging this show, shoot me a message on the socials or at rlmerrillauthor@gmail.com and let’s hear your theories. In the meantime, if you like really freaky music in the background while you’re working check this soundtrack out.
Check out the tunes above on my YouTube Music Playlist and Stay Tuned for more…
Band/Musician Interview : Lia Hide
- What singers or bands inspired you growing up?
Kate Bush, Dead Can Dance, Violent Femmes, Tori Amos, Smashing Pumpkins, Guns n Roses, Annie Di Franco, Cranberries, NIN, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley - If you could be any TV or film horror character, who would you be? Why?
I’d be Jack, from The Nightmare Before Christmas, cause I adore, simply adore Danny Elfman! - What non-musical things inspire your music?
Films, Books, Food, Sunsets, bad relationships, Alcoholic nights, Sleep deprivation - If you could write your own soundtrack to a horror film already out there, which film would it be?
Donnie Darko, although it’s not really a horror film, so let’s try The Beyond (L’Aldila) – E tu vivrai nel terrore! L’aldilà (1981) although that film’s soundtrack is a true gem, a masterpiece - Where was the coolest place to play? Where did you enjoy yourselves the most?
a. in a roof apartment in Antwerp, with 3 Chinese fluffy chicken. b. in Utrecht, after a gorgeous show we played in an old medieval monastery’s basement theatre. - What are your favorite horror movies?
I used to love zombie movies, cause they were fun, and I always love the latex effects. After seing the SAW series (up until III) I got disgusted at almost everything that contains torture, and now I only watch vampire or mystery or historical stuff. - What was the scariest night of your life?
Watching Nightmare on Elm Street 3 – the puppet scene. I still have nightmares about it. - If you could bring back greats who have passed on, who would be your undead opening band?
Layne Staley with Mark Lanegan and Christ Cornel with an Ennio Morricone conducted orchestra - Final thoughts / Anything you want to tell the Horror Addicts?
I sometimes lay in bed and think I soak into the mattress all the way to the earth’s core and can hear everyone’s thoughts while descending. I swear I heard your voice, too, one day .. (just kidding.. or not?)
To find more about Lia Hide:
https://www.facebook.com/liahidemusic
Video YouTube link:
Featured Music #209: Panic Lift
Terror Trax : Bourbon House
Merrill’s Musical Musings : Bourbon House
Ro’s Review
Bourbon House is one of the most exciting bands to come across my Horror Addicts Music Desk and their new album Into the Red is not to be missed. They are described on their website as “Forever passionately in love with the classic ’60s and 70’s hard rock sound of pioneering artists like Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath, bourbon house are on a mission to create music that is timeless and infectious.”
Oh, yes! Give me all the female-fronted grungy bluesy hard rock please and thank you. Fans of The Dead Weather, Dorothy, and The Kills will dig tracks like “Devil On My Heels” and “Dead In The Water.” These tracks would have fit right in on the True Blood soundtrack and are perfect for road trips, whiskey drinking, and good times with your friends. I look forward to more!
This week’s Shoutout is for Neonpocalypse and their new EP -Ish. This is the first-ever solo project by Then Comes Silence frontman Alex Svenson. It’s an apocalyptic EP for the ambivalent set. “Lips” is a gloomy jam that stands out from the rest of the tracks.
Ro’s Recs
Dream Widow is the metal band you’ll die for, but have never heard of…
Foo Fighter’s frontman Dave Grohl never does anything halfway, so when the band recorded their 10th album, Medicine at Midnight, they rented a house that allegedly had some extra ghost hosts living in it, and apparently, the band had some interesting experiences—which led Dave to decide, “we’re going to make a horror movie!” Studio 666 was born, and Horror Addicts, believe me when I say you will not be disappointed. I’ll work up a review for the film, but it was this strange appearance of a new artist on my YouTube Music recommendations that had me wondering…who is Dream Widow? The answer is, you guessed it, Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. They recorded a full-length super heavy metal album to go along with the film and I am so in love. They drew on all of their influences dating back to Black Sabbath, Ozzy, and Motorhead but the sound is refreshingly new. Yes, you can tell the Foos are behind it, and sometimes you can recognize Dave’s voice, but just like they did with their Bee Gees tribute album The Dee Gees Hail Satin, they went all in to make a fantastic record. I highly suggest you check out the movie and the Dream Widow album. What better way to honor the memory of recently deceased drummer Taylor Hawkins? It was tough to watch as my heart is still hurting for the band, but I laughed and cried along, and I’m sending a big hug to the band and all of the fans missing Taylor.
That’s it for this time. Check out this week’s tunes on the Playlist and Stay Tuned for more…
Nightmare Fuel : Hungarian Suicide Song
Hello Addicts,
Music has a strange magic about it. It can make us smile, shed tears, or remember meaningful moments in our lives. Music also has the power to bring out some of the “not so pleasant” parts of ourselves, like aggression and anger. What if there was a song that affected people so much that they are driven to suicide after listening to it once? This week’s Nightmare Fuel looks at one such song, the Hungarian Suicide Song.
Originally titled “The World is Ending”, Rezso Seress composed the song in 1933 about the despair caused by war. The song became popular after a poet named László Jávor wrote new lyrics for the song and changing the name to “Gloomy Sunday”. Rather than being a song about war, the new version depicted the protagonist contemplating suicide following a lover’s death. In 1935, a Hungarian version of the song was recorded, followed by an English version a year later. Billie Holiday recorded the version most people are familiar with in 1941, although the BBC viewed it as detrimental to the war effort and banned during World War II.
Where the creepiness really comes in is the 100 suicides believed to have occurred after listening to the song. The reports range from suicides occurring during or just after listening to the song. Some people found either held the sheet music when found or quoted lyrics in their suicide notes. Perhaps the most notable suicide attributed to “Gloomy Sunday” was in 1968, when Rezso Seress leapt from his apartment window in Budapest.
While there are plenty of suicides attributed to “Gloomy Sunday”, many of the stories cannot be verified. Nowadays, people consider the song’s reputation as nothing more than a long-standing urban legend. Regardless of where your beliefs fall on the song’s reputation, it is one to listen to. If you do, listen with a friend.
Until next time, Addicts.
D.J.
Merrill’s Musical Musings : Sevit
Ro’s Review
The Texas band Sevit has a sound reminiscent of Joy Division and according to their Facebook page, their sound comes from “the influences of Pornography-era Cure and a decade of post minimalistic, monologic analog sounds with melodies, big beats, and dreamy vocal hooks.” They released a cover of and this nod to The Crow hits its mark. The accompanying tune “It All Comes Down To Me” is a slow haunting tune to complement the cover tune. It’s a promising collection from the band and we look forward to hearing more in the future.
This week’s Shoutout is for the band Black Angel, who appeared previously on HorrorAddicts.net. Their latest single “Breathe” is the first of four new tracks expected from the band in early 2022 and does not disappoint. Fans of The Cure and Peter Murphy will enjoy the twisted tale of love and obsession.
Ro’s Recs
Bring Me The Horizon has become one of my go-to bands for heavy mood times. Their song “Parasite Eve” I’ve shared with you before and it became my Pandemic Anthem. They have a new collaboration out with rapper Masked Wolf, “Fallout,” and it is a total end-of-the-world creepy track you’ve got to check out. I’ve seen clips of the video and ohhh…Oli Sykes is such a chameleon. I love it.
Ice Nine Kills has also put out a video-game-adjacent track from PubG, “Hunting Season,” and I’m in love. Any gamers out there? I’d love to hear some of your favorite tracks?
That’s it for this time. All of the bands featured in Merrill’s Musical Musings are available on the Horror Addicts 2022 playlist. Stay Tuned for more…
Featured Music #206: The Royal Ritual
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