Cemeteries, history, death, the paranormal and plenty of delicious wine are just some of the elements that make Macabre Mondays so alluring. Meet Malia Miglino, the woman behind this creative endeavor that highlights the dark side of centuries past. She hosts, researches, writes and produces the material for her episodes, and, let me tell you, her charisma immediately draws you in.
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”→
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””→
Goth fashion blogger and model Stygian Siryn, aka Dawn, is setting the alternative scene ablaze with her chic and edgy style. Her blog site covers the latest trends available from lauded alternative apparel brands, such as Foxblood, Killstar and Regal Rose, to name a few, highlighting plus-size options. Her reviews are honest, informative and include fantastic detailed images of the fashion pieces.
I was fortunate to come across her page on Instagram months ago and was immediately taken in by the looks she creates. In this spotlight feature, Dawn opens up about what inspires her, her love of the macabre, her hopes for the future of alternative fashion and more! With impeccable taste in the world of dark lifestyle and a magical aesthetic, Stygian Siryn is an enchanting figure the goth scene needs. Continue reading “Spotlight On Goth Fashion Blogger Stygian Siryn”→
When I initially wrote this blog post, we were half-way through 2020. At the time, my mind flashed back to the moment I was excitedly counting down to the New Year, having no clue the months ahead would drastically transform humanity’s existence. That year challenged us significantly, to say the least—first with the global pandemic and then, with the call to action to take an active stance against racism.
Major shifts can send anyone into overload, and there comes a point when you need to stop and center yourself. Change and challenges are an inevitable and a natural part of existence. They’re what help us grow, and what matters is how we react to them. So, what are some of the best ways you can decompress when life becomes heavy? I’m going to share a few tips, from doing the one card Tarot pull to attending spiritual classes. Continue reading “Practicing Magickal Self-Care”→
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”→
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.
Wondering how you can celebrate Goth Day on May 22nd? Set the mood with a list of binge-worthy, macabre films. Following are a few of my favorite flicks that either feature goth characters or exude a dark vibe. By no means an exhaustive compilation, this should at least give you a good start. So, drape yourself in black, dim the lights and enjoy the feature presentation. Continue reading “7 Films to Watch on Goth Day”→
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.
I’ll be the first to admit that cooking is not my forte and I don’t do it often, but while brainstorming blog post ideas, I remembered I have a copy of The Nightmare Before Dinner: Recipes to Die For. It’s the official cookbook of Zach Neil’s Tim Burton and Halloween-inspired Beetle House! The book features dishes and cocktails straight from the restaurant’s menu so that anyone can introduce a bit of spooky spirit into their kitchen. I figured if I’m going to whip up something, it might as well be food that feeds my dark soul. It was also a great way for me to recreate the macabre atmosphere at home since the establishment is closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. For the main entree, I tried my hand at the Alice in Wonderland themed Cheshire Mac and Cheese. And, because there’s nothing like a good apéritif to accompany a meal, I crafted The Beetle’s Juice cocktail.
Now, I must mention that since I’m not a food blogger, this post isn’t presented in the traditional format of a culinary blog post. I am going to include some details of the process, but this is more of a casual retelling of my macabre cooking experience. Enjoy! Continue reading “Creepy Concoctions From the Beetle House Cookbook”→