Terror Trax: Grave Of Thorns

Our featured band for episode 135 of the podcast is Grave Of Thorns. Recently we asked them a few questions about their music:

 1. Band name and member names/what instrument they play. Who writes your lyrics?

Our band is Grave of Thorns. We have two members, Thorn and Ron Graves.

Thorn ~ I write all the lyrics and sing.

Ron Graves ~ I play all the instruments.

 2. What singers or bands inspired you growing up? Who are your favorite artists today?

Thorn ~ I was really inspired by the Virgin Prunes, 45 Grave, Christian Death, Subhumans, Skeletal Family and Alien Sex Fiend. They’re still my favorite artists but more recent artists that I like are Crimson Scarlet, Fangs on Fur and Dystopian Society.

Ron Graves ~ My journey began with gothic rock and synthpop such as The Cure and Depeche Mode, but my tastes later turned darker to bands like Ministry and Skinny Puppy.  Today I enjoy all things heavy, with a few favorites being Hocico, Excision, and Meshuggah.

3. When did you first know you wanted to be a musician and how did you start out?

Thorn~ I wanted to be a musician all my life but I thought it was an impossible dream that required years of music school that I could never afford. Then one day I just thought I can do this on my own, so I did.

Ron Graves ~ I’ve never been obsessed with being a performer, but I’ve always wanted to create.  I was exposed to music theory, vocal performance, music notation, and guitar from a very young age, but my obsession with music production over the last 10 years is why I’m making music today instead of other art forms.

4. What non-musical things inspire your music? Is there a place where you go to be inspired?

Thorn~ I’m inspired by my life experience, dreams, adventures, the plights of society and politics. The places I mostly go to be inspired is my mind and nature.

Ron Graves ~ I find patterns and contrasts a motivator to create.  When the internal struggles of hope, fear, desire and despair aren’t enough, nothing beats a walk through downtown Oakland.  There you can see really feel wealth and poverty, art and vandalism, love and hate, all shaping the city’s soul.

5. What’s been the greatest achievement of your band? Or, where was the coolest place to play? Where did you enjoy yourselves the most?

Thorn~ The greatest achievement of our band is our self-titled 4 song EP Grave of Thorns. We have yet to play live. I really enjoyed seeing my lyrics come to life and sharing that with like minded souls around the world.

Ron Graves ~ The greatest achievement has been seeing our EP from conception to completion.  The most enjoyable moments were found in the creation process and finally being able to share our work.

 6. What are your favorite horror movies?

 

Thorn~ I have a lot! Here are some from my personal collection: Kwaidan, Susperia, Nosferatu, The Hunger, The Crow, The Underworld Series, Vampire Hunter D, Vampyr, Classic Universal Monster Movies, The Fall of the House of Usher, Flatliners, The Alien series, Gothic, The Lost Boys, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,  Poltergeist 1982, Blood: the Last Vampire, Let the Right One In, Shaun of the Dead, The Craft, A Chinese Ghost Story.

 

Ron~ I love the suspense of Alien, the horrific humor of A Nightmare on Elm Street 3, and the gruesome effects of The Thing.

7. What was the scariest night of your life?

Thorn~ That would be telling. But I can say that I had a recent night of terror when I had an episode of sleep paralysis. I’m forming it into a song.

Ron Graves ~ My scariest night was when I was around 10.  I was in my bedroom and I saw the bathroom light turning on and off every couple seconds from under the crack in my door.  I opened my door to see who was doing it, but the light stayed off at that point and no one was there.  I spent the rest of the night buried under my blankets, wide-eyed and bathed in cold sweat.  After that, I was beset by nightmares nearly every night until I moved out of that house

8. What is available now that the listeners can download or buy? What is the website they can find it on? What is the best social media site for listeners to connect with you on? Twitter? Facebook? Instagram? Other? Bandcamp? What are your id’s/ web addresses?

Thorn~ We have videos of all four songs from our EP on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9TzsPAYXgD-m_iLPNvuQOg

Ron Graves ~ We have a self produced EP available for free on Bandcamp at https://graveofthorns.bandcamp.com/releases

Message and like the band on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/graveofthorns/

9. If you could play anywhere in the world, where would it be and who would be your opening band?

Thorn~ I would love to play at The Castle Party Gothic Festival in Poland with Alien Sex Fiend.

Ron Graves ~ Nothing beats playing to the home crowd in the SF Bay Area, and any of the great local bands could open for us. There is so much talent here it would be hard to choose!

10. What are you working on now for future release? Are you on tour? Where can they see you?

Thorn~ People can see us on YouTube. I continue to write lyrics.

Ron Graves ~ We do not have live shows booked at this time but please like us on Facebook to be notified of updates.

Dawn’s Dark Music Corner: Glass Android

Seattle Sounds-New Years Day- By Dawn Wood

In 2011, Glass Android took form from founder, Tony Spring and his best friend, collaborator, Casey Kunning. Influences included: Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, Puscifer, The Birthday Massacre, Nine Inch Nails and How to Destroy Angels. Glass Android played several shows as a duo, in the Seattle area.  Since that time, Glass Android has merged into a collaboration of local musical talent, merging with members from Murder Weapons (female vox) and the synth mastery from members of Grasp Logic and XY Beautiful (all bands featured in Horror Addicts.) Asher Vast, of Endless Sunder recorded, mixed and produced the Glass Android release: “Killing Me”.

Mi-kel Munzter from Grasp Logic is currently working with Tony on revamping/remixing some of the 2012 material and working on new songs as well.  Mi-Kel’s fresh Industrial/Dub-step influences will prove an exciting new approach for the Glass Android catalog.
Tony is also a photographer in the Seattle area with such bands under his belt as: My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Lacuna Coil and The Crystal Method, just to name a few.
Check out his photos: https://www.facebook.com/fiercebadrabbitphotography81?fref=photo

And you can check out Glass Android’s music here:
https://www.reverbnation.com/glassandroid (Reverb Nation)
https://www.facebook.com/GlassAndroidOfficial/info?tab=page_info (Facebook)

Press Release: Midnight Syndicate Christmas CD, band announces plans for 2015 and beyond

Midnight Syndicate 2015

Midnight Syndicate has announced that their eighteenth album will have a Christmas and Winter Solstice theme. “I think there’s a rule that after a band’s been around for ‘x’ years they are required to produce a Christmas album. So, that’s how we got here,” joked Edward Douglas. “In all seriousness though, a Yuletide-themed Midnight Syndicate album is something our fans have been asking us for since we began; this album will not disappoint them.”

“I will say that this album has been particularly challenging because we’re taking songs that are SO familiar and that have been treated in so many different ways throughout the years and trying to make them uniquely our own,” added Gavin Goszka. “We don’t want to make yet another Christmas album – we really want it to stand on its own as something truly original. We hope that it will evoke the spirit of the Yuletide season while also reflecting our ongoing musical style and vision.”

Content-wise, the album will be a mix of new material and twists on classics. “I’d describe most of the covers on the album as being reinvented, rather than simply adapted,” said Goszka. “I’ve found myself approaching this material with a very wide palette and a limited sense of allegiance to convention. That being said, it still has to make sense in some way and stay grounded in the familiar. I think we’re stretching our creative wings more than ever here, but there’s still a consistency and overall purpose to it.” “The original songs have been a lot of fun to work on,” added Douglas. “I think the fans are in for a lot of pleasant surprises.”

Fans will not have to wait until Christmas for this present. Midnight Syndicate will be exhibiting at DragonCon in Atlanta this year on Labor Day weekend (September 4-7) and plans to have the CD available at the show.

Midnight Syndicate Live! update: In October of 2014, Midnight Syndicate Live! debuted at Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends event. From the audience response to the critical reception to record-breaking attendance numbers, the show was an overwhelming success. Although the band will be using 2015 to focus on the new album, plans for a return of Midnight Syndicate Live! in 2016 are already underway. “The success of the inaugural run of Midnight Syndicate Live! has ensured that live Midnight Syndicate shows will be a permanent part of our plans going forward,” said Douglas.

Midnight Syndicate official website – www.MidnightSyndicate.com

Facebook – www.Facebook.com/MidnightSyndicate

Twitter – www.Twitter.com/midsyndicate

YouTube – www.youtube.com/midsyndicate

Midnight Syndicate Live

Music Review: Weird Tales From The Countryside

WEIRD TALES FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE (2015)
DeFago

Today I am checking in with Javier Gomez, otherwise known as DeFago. DeFago is a Spanish musician, with a feel for Ambient and Electronic music.

His latest album, “Weird Tales From The Countryside” was released in March 2015, and is one album that will keep you awake at night J

“WTFTC portrays the way the countryside haunts and lingers around you in the night. It brings a deep, unique twist on modern horror music. WTFTC features a great electronic twist on the usual daunting strings music we hear in modern cinema. The overall dark tone and atmosphere the album brings a sheer sense of loneliness and terror.”

Hailing from Seville, Spain, DeFago is an artist who pushes the boundaries on techno music and brings a new haunting element to the mix. DeFago’s music may not suit everyone, but I will say that followers of Tangerine Dream, Goblin, and those who like Horror Soundtracks will find this work superb as DeFago captures brilliantly the work of such haunting  themes from the 70’s/80’s horror as well as modern elements.

My personal favorites from this album were “Return To Corpse City”, “The Festival” and “The Holy Company”. Each one of these tracks brought something unique and enthralling to the lineup where one started to have flashes of scenes from an upcoming book (spoilers).

As I said, DeFago’s style of music may not be for everyone, but I will say that he is one artist to keep on your radar.

You can find more about DeFago and his music at the following sites, and be sure to listen to some of the tracks and spread the word.

Facebook

Bandcamp

SoundCloud

~ C.A.Milson

C.A.Milson is an award winning horror author of 4 books (and counting); Founder of ASJ Publishing, and seldom film producer. He resides in Melbourne, Australia and likes to spend his time in his backyard hobbyfarm of 13 chooks, and draws inspiration from the horrors that lay in wait in the darkness. C.A.Milson can be found at: www.asjpublishing.com and:www.facebook.com/C.A.Milson.Author

Dawn’s Dark Music Corner: Anguisette

Seattle Sounds-Anguisette

By Dawn Wood

Anguisette is a multi-faceted, multi-talent band founded by
electric violinist Jyri Glynn, formerly of acclaimed Seattle rock band, “The Sins.”
and currently in the Sin’s reformed “Prelude to a Pistol”. Jyri is also in “Ruined by Fate” with Sean Sonnett and contributed on songs for Elektronika. Anguisette’s sound is reminiscent of Delirium blended with the rock feel of Evanescence.

The band’s 2010 debut CD, The Creation Chamber, is still embraced by radio and dance clubs around the U.S. as well as abroad. A visually dramatic companion piece to the album, the new video for the track, “29 Years,” is currently featured online at YouTube.com.

Anguisette’s live shows are also visually and theatrically stunning, featuring amazing light displays and beautiful graphic backdrops. The live band is fronted by three female
vocalists and supported by keyboards, bass, guitar and Jyri on electric violin. There are also a rotating cast of additional guest musicians.

Anguisette’s first live introduction was in Boise, Idaho at the beautiful Egyptian Theater following a red-carpet premier of the motion picture, “The Sanguinarian”, which was a wonderful independent Vampire Film by Analisa Ravella for which Jyri Glynn composed and scored much of the music.

The Creation Chamber is available for sale on CD or digitally on http://www.cdbaby.com and has their own station on Pandora.

Anguisette’s live lineup is vocalists Severina Sol, Dawn Wood & Donya Shirzad. Supported by guitarist, Westin Halvorson, bassist, Fish Jones, keyboardist Albert OH
and (founder) electric violinist Jyri Glynn.

Anguisette’s ‘The Creation Chamber’ credits: Jyri Glynn, Lee Tillman, Albert Oh, Dawn Wood, Severina X Sol, Jamie Valentine, Karen Kardel, Melody Bleak, Emileigh. Rohn, Nya Shirzad, Miss FD.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Anguisette/251581935659
Reverb Nation: www.reverbnation.com/anguisette
CD Baby: www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Anguisette
Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/artist/4O0mDoVeOR4RBbYkgGIPje?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open
”Indefinite” on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb9iPicZ2mA

**********

Dawn Wood has been singing since 5 years old. After high school and a degree at the University of Delaware, she attended Seattle University taking music and voice lessons. Dawn sang in a couple of original Northwest bands and by the mid 90’s formed a retro 80s cover band called “Rapture” with guitar veteran Dan Hoyer. When Rapture disbanded in 1999, Dawn and Dan formed “Elektronika”. By late 2005, “Elektronika” had become more of Seattle area “project band” merging with several local talents. Dawn started writing for Carpe Nocturne in 2011 as a feature writer. In 2013, Carpe Nocturne asked Dawn to be the Scene Reporter for the Seattle/Portland area. Dawn is in the bands “Desillusion”, “Murder Weapons”, “Elektronika” and also collaborates with other local artists in the Seattle area. As a horror fan since childhood, Dawn was thrilled to assist in submitting fitting music to Horroraddicts.net. Follow Dawn on Twitter at: DAWNELEKTRONIKA

Music News

Over the last few weeks in the horror addicts email box we have heard from some great bands that have new songs out. The Spekrfreks have recently released a new song called Steampunk. This is an electronica song that reminds you of steam machines, vaudevillian showgirls, outlaws, and top-secret technology. A full album will soon be available from Golden Age Recordings. You can listen to the song here:

http://www.beatport.com/release/steampunk/1394312

Spekerfreks also did the theme song for horroraddicts season 1 through 3. To find out more about them check out their website at: http://www.spekrfreks.com/

Another song that we recently got turned onto is from Videogram. This song promotes a retro horror soundtrack project and is called Camp Blood.  This is a tribute to the iconic Friday the 13th series, the track is a sort of “nudge nudge, wink wink” to fellow horror fans and a mix of the disco theme of Part 3 and Michael Jackson‘s Thriller. The song has been digitally released through Bandcamp, itunes and youtube. Here is the video:

For more information on Videogram check out their website: http://videogramswe.blogspot.com/

We’ve als oheard a new track from the Barbarellatones called the Donut Shop. The Barbarellatones are described as The Barbarellatones are the sloppy seconds of ‘Sex With Lurch’. Mesmerized and Hypnotized by bad B-Movies and Rocky Horror, we do our upmost to keep Rock N Roll a total sleaze-fest. To find out more about them check out their facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbarellatones/info.

Another band we recently heard from via Starwave records is Misaruka. Misaruka is a Japanese rock band with a new release called The Butterfly Effect.  Here is a video from them:

To find out more visit their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/misarukaofficial

 

Review: The Music Of Robot Monkey Arm

The Music Of Robot Monkey Arm

Review by Crystal Connor

I usually review horror movies but when I was offered the opportunity to review an album for the band Robot Monkey Arm I took it.

 The most interesting thing right off the bat is that the album is broken up into three parts, it’s like a musical anthology because each section is different in tone.

Part One

Robot Senza Nome!

 Track 1: l’automa  02:07

Track 2: il brutto 03:40

Track 3: la bella 01:07

Track 4: Titoli 06:10

 What I loved most about part one besides everything is that it’s all instrumental. This is the type of music I can write too. Its eccentric, dark, a bit Gothy and at times a bit jarring but nowhere near in a bad way.  Part one immediately brought to mind The Mars Volta. My favorite track from part on is il brutto

Part two:

Cinema Vomitif & The White Mask of Doom!

 Track 1: Cinema Vomitif  04:31

Track 2: Kill The Cutie 02:54

Track 3: Deliria (the final girl) 04:08

Track 4: Vengeance Of The Sweater Girl  03:11

 Cinema Vomitif  sounds a little like a song for a car chase from 70s action movie. The tempo is really fast and drum heavy but then with a 3rd of the way left to go it slows down and then picks right back up for the finale!

 Kill The Cutie is hard to describe but I liked it, the undercurrent of the song seems to have Schism (Tool) running through its veins.

 I listened to Deliria (the final girl) like five times is a row. The male voice of the vocalist on this track is hypnotic and the butterscotch tone of female voice of the background singer complements his perfectly. This was my favorite track

 Vengeance Of The Sweater Girl

Part Thee:

In memoriam to those we’ve lost and those we don’t remember

 Track 1: The Psychogenic Stomp!  02:35

Track 2: Dance Party Ending  01:53

Track 3: l’epilogo (in memoria di Anthony de Mello)  07:00

Track 4: APOEε4 07:38

 The Psychogenic Stomp! is super catchy and punky, had me singing along before the song ended I really liked it. Dance Party Ending is rockabilly all the way and I’m pretty sure that, hands  down, was my favorite in the set. I say pretty sure because the close runner up is l’epilogo, its very orchestral and whimsical. The final track APOEε4 starts off with the piano and then just fades into the sounds of the ocean coming ashore.

I would recommend Robot Monkey Arm to my sister and most of my friends. We’re a little on the snobbish snide up here is Seattle when it comes to alternative music but I’m confident that  Robot Monkey Arm could en mass a pretty large fan base here in the Pacific Northwest.

I would have bought the entire album but because its broken and sold in three parts I purchased the 1st one because it’s my favorite out of the trilogy.

For more information on Robot Monkey Arm, check out these sites:

http://robotmonkeyarm.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robotmonkeyarm/129365657110627?fref=ts

 

 

Washington State native Crystal Connor has been terrorizing readers since before Jr. high School and loves anything to do with monsters, bad guys, rogue scientific experiments, jewelry, sky-high high heel shoes & unreasonably priced hang bags. She is also considering changing her professional title to ‘dramatization specialist’ because it’s so much more theatrical than being just a mere drama queen. Crystal’s latest projects can be found both on her blog and Facebook fan page at:

 http://wordsmithcrystalconnor.blogspot.com

 http://www.facebook.com/notesfromtheauthor