Category: music

entertainment, music

Vampires Descend in The Sixth Chamber’s “Walpurgis Night”

by Jennifer Vasquez11 Comments on Vampires Descend in The Sixth Chamber’s “Walpurgis Night”
Lead singer & guitarist Rahne Pistor of The Sixth Chamber

“Walpurgis Night, when, according to the belief of millions of people, the devil was abroad—when the graves were opened and the dead came forth and walked. When all evil things of earth and air and water held revel.”

-Bram Stoker’s Dracula’s Guest

Like bats taking flight from their shadowy cave, gothic metal band The Sixth Chamber has emerged, releasing the lyric music video to their latest single “Walpurgis Night.” The newest track will be part of the group’s third full-length album, which is currently in the works, and nocturnal souls are sure to revel in it.

Continue reading “Vampires Descend in The Sixth Chamber’s “Walpurgis Night”” →
music

Fantasy Storytelling With Metal Beats: FIRA’s “From Vegas With Blood” Album Review

by Jennifer Vasquez4 Comments on Fantasy Storytelling With Metal Beats: FIRA’s “From Vegas With Blood” Album Review
Photo credits: Anabel DFlux

Imagine you’re on a journey to a sinister kingdom buried in the center of the moon to battle a wicked demon king known as Fear who has threatened your existence. This is the story that comes to life in dance metal band FIRA’s debut album From Vegas With Blood. Recently, I shared news of the Halloween release of their music video for “Endless Night” and got details about the musical project in interviews with members Hannah Fira and Michael “Vette” Rodd. Now that the album has officially dropped, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the narrative and listen to the entire set of tracks. Get ready to head out on a “vampirate” adventure.

Continue reading “Fantasy Storytelling With Metal Beats: FIRA’s “From Vegas With Blood” Album Review” →
Art, Literature, music, occult

Spotlight On Joseph Vargo: Gothic Fantasy Artist, Composer & Writer

by Jennifer Vasquez15 Comments on Spotlight On Joseph Vargo: Gothic Fantasy Artist, Composer & Writer
Artwork by Joseph Vargo
Artwork by Joseph Vargo

Mournful spirits, brooding gargoyles, blood-thirsty vampires, nightmarish beasts and seductive sirens are a few of the creatures that prowl the creations of Joseph Vargo. The artist has been honing his dark craft for decades and is renowned for the gothic fantasy imagery he portrays. Be prepared to step into a world where pariahs thrive, and the dead pulsate with life.  

Continue reading “Spotlight On Joseph Vargo: Gothic Fantasy Artist, Composer & Writer” →
music

FIRA’s Album Debut “From Vegas With Blood” & Interview With Guitarist Michael “Vette” Rodd

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on FIRA’s Album Debut “From Vegas With Blood” & Interview With Guitarist Michael “Vette” Rodd
FIRA guitarist Michael "Vette" Rodd performing live at the Los Angeles Endless Night Vampire Ball.
FIRA guitarist Michael “Vette” Rodd performing live at the Los Angeles Endless Night Vampire Ball (Photo credit: Anabel Dflux)

This past Halloween, dance metal band FIRA debuted their “Endless Night” music video at the virtual New Orleans Endless Night Vampire Ball. Now, members Hannah and Michael “Vette” Rodd are preparing to drop their first album From Vegas With Blood on Black Friday, November 27th!  What I know so far is that it promises an epic “vampirate” adventure.

Continue reading “FIRA’s Album Debut “From Vegas With Blood” & Interview With Guitarist Michael “Vette” Rodd” →
Events, music, Nightlife

FIRA’s “Endless Night” Music Video Releasing on Halloween at the Virtual Endless Night Vampire Ball

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on FIRA’s “Endless Night” Music Video Releasing on Halloween at the Virtual Endless Night Vampire Ball
Vocalist Hannah Fira and guitarist Michael “Vette” Rodd (Photo credit: FIRA)
Vocalist Hannah Fira and guitarist Michael “Vette” Rodd (Photo credit: Anabel DFlux)

Dance metal band FIRA will be lighting up this Halloween season with a new music video for the single “Endless Night.” It was filmed during their performance at the Los Angeles Endless Night Vampire Ball back in February where they opened for the rock band Orgy. Last fall, I had the opportunity to check out the group’s energy-fueled show at goth club Bar Sinister in Hollywood, California. Nearly a year later, the duo, consisting of vocalist Hannah Fira and guitarist Michael “Vette” Rodd, is also preparing to drop their first studio album titled From Vegas With Blood.

Continue reading “FIRA’s “Endless Night” Music Video Releasing on Halloween at the Virtual Endless Night Vampire Ball” →
music, Performing Arts

Spotlight on Midnight Syndicate: Masters of Gothic Melodies

by Jennifer Vasquez11 Comments on Spotlight on Midnight Syndicate: Masters of Gothic Melodies

Photo credit: Midnight Syndicate
Photo credit: Midnight Syndicate

Midnight Syndicate has been haunting the Gothic music landscape for more than 20 years. Members Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka specialize in creating macabre melodies and their collection of work has become the ultimate Halloween soundtrack. With the fall season approaching, I thought it’d be fitting to present a look inside the machinations of the duo, along with a special interview. Continue reading “Spotlight on Midnight Syndicate: Masters of Gothic Melodies” →

music

The Sixth Chamber Brings the Apocalypse with New Single “Blood of the Prophet”

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on The Sixth Chamber Brings the Apocalypse with New Single “Blood of the Prophet”

The Sixth Chamber (Photo credit: Matthew Fields)
The Sixth Chamber (Photo credit: Matthew Fields)

Are you ready to experience Armageddon with The Sixth Chamber? The metal band just dropped a new single titled “Blood of the Prophet” and it’s being dubbed “the soundtrack to the end of the world.” I’m thrilled to share a look at the official lyric video with you all! Prepare to enter an arcane realm where you’ll witness mysteries from the beyond. Continue reading “The Sixth Chamber Brings the Apocalypse with New Single “Blood of the Prophet”” →

Dining & Drink, Events, Film, Lifestyle, Literature, music, Travel

The Undead Way to Celebrate Dracula Day

by Jennifer Vasquez20 Comments on The Undead Way to Celebrate Dracula Day

From left to right: Bram Stoker, Vlad Tepes and Bela Lugosi as Dracula
From left to right: Bram Stoker, Vlad Tepes and Bela Lugosi as Dracula

On May 26th, 1897, Bram Stoker’s notorious novel Dracula was published. More than a century later, the vampire tale has indeed proven to be as immortal as its protagonist. There have been films, TV shows, music, books, art and entertainment events inspired by the Count. Stoker’s work has left such an indelible mark on, not just the literary world, but the creative world in general that there is a day dedicated to it—Dracula Day. There are many ways to celebrate and following you will find ideas for how to throw a fangtastic vampire soiree, whether alone or with others! Continue reading “The Undead Way to Celebrate Dracula Day” →

Fashion, Lifestyle, music

Growing Up Goth: Finding My Self Within the Subculture

by Jennifer Vasquez17 Comments on Growing Up Goth: Finding My Self Within the Subculture

Vamp Jenn's Corner

How does one know they’re goth? I can’t recall a specific incident that brought me to this realization. There wasn’t some grand transformation that happened, although it would be more exciting to say I underwent a dramatic change similar to Anne Rice’s vampires. These characters shed their mortal shell in a painful process; even their bowels are emptied of all human waste. No, nothing of the sort happened when I began identifying with the goth subculture. The shift for me was subtle, but my family noticed my all-black apparel, heavy use of black eyeliner and polish, and unusual taste in music.

Here’s my coming of “dark age” story of how I found my place within this alternative group and discovered my true colors—black, black and black. Continue reading “Growing Up Goth: Finding My Self Within the Subculture” →

Fashion, Lifestyle, music

Do You Know Your Goth ABCs?

by Jennifer Vasquez13 Comments on Do You Know Your Goth ABCs?

Photo by Matheus Farias
Photo by Matheus Farias

You’ve seen us lurking in the shadows, clad in black, listening to dark tunes and exuding a sense of mystery. We’re goths and there’s more to us than meets the eye. The goth subculture is multifaceted and not a teenage phase. In an ode to Goth Day that is on the 22nd of this month, I wanted to offer an introductory course on this dark and beautiful community. Let’s call it Goth 101. I’ve combed through the alphabet selecting words that are related to the subculture to provide deeper insight.

Ready to begin your lesson? Class is now in session. Continue reading “Do You Know Your Goth ABCs?” →