DeathRat Fanzine
Issue 7
Letter from the Editor Welcome to the seventh issue of DeathRat Fanzine! This is what I consider to be the 'genre' issue as there are many genres within the Goth subculture that are represented here this month. Another comment I regretfully make is that beginning next month I will
have to begin charging $1 for a download of DeathRat. It's not that I want to, I promise, but rather that I need the income to support the time I am
spending to work on this project. I do hope you are not annoyed by this. There are many fanzines out there, both those that charge and those that
are free and I am sad that this will be the final issue that has the 'free' label on it. Finally, I must again request models to get in touch if you are interested in being on the cover and bands are always welcome to send their mp3s! Yours Faithfully, Hannah TheBatGirl@live.co.uk
To begin with… I would briefly like to comment about a review I did in the last issue. Occasionally I write something and when reading it back (too late to redo) I realise I made a crucial error. In this case it was my inattention to just how good Strap on Halo is. I made many comparisons to bands that I love but failed to comment on the uniqueness of sound that I recognised this afternoon when listening to the album “The Dead Don't Lie” on repeat. This band deserves to be listened to by anyone who claims the 'Goth' or “DeathRock' title and I would just like to re-enforce that the sound you will hear from Strap on Halo is strong and pure in its ability to transport you to that place in your heart that begs for music. Savage Sound System Remember when I said this is the 'genre' issue? Well we goths pride ourselves on being open minded and I know I certainly have some ungoth guilty pleasures. So here I present to you, Savage Sound System. From husband and drummer of previously reviewed Sacre Noir, comes the act that started a label, this trip-hop act blends post-punk with hip hop. AlexisSs is a master of working with new talent in 'their world' and adding the atmosphere of ours. I love acts that open doors between opposing sounds and that's just what Savage Sound System is, an open door.
Madame B Yep, she's in here again. Why? Because she's awesome. With the release of the new album, Psalm 37:29, the lo-fi deathrock queen feeds us again with her intriguingly stunning vocal abilities and the instrumentation that begs to be heard. That's why she is back for a third issue. The one thing I realised I have not commented on previously, is the artwork. Madame B would make David Lynch proud with her black and grey hues with a light blue tinge, the photography, the atmostphere created by the joining of the art and the music. You may have heard her track “Immortal Restless Soul” on the DeathRat Compilation, but it is the title track, Psalm 37:29 that gets to me with the scratching violin intro. The album as a whole has the haunting ethic of most Madame B tracks, and it is hard to find a favourite among so many. So many. Yes, this album features a whopping twenty songs. And as usual, it is free to download from Zorch Factory Records. Do it. Do it now.
Pixie-Dust For the Glitchers I would like to introduce you to Pixie-Dust. I am complete ly in love with the music of Pixie-Dust and the innocence of her voice even when she sounds sexy. The chours of “Pretty Little Rainbows” is probably my favourite piece of music I have heard from Pixie-Dust, but “Trouble is What You're In For” is fantastic as well. The vocal and percussive effects are well used and this is one act I would love to see live because the music gives such a visual impression.
Jamey Rottencorpse and the Rising Dead The best horror punk I've heard this year, Jamey Rottencorpse and his band of the Rising Dead bring us everything from radioactive zombies from outer space to a fantastic rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in their “Somewhere Under the Graveyard”. When listening to these guys we get gruff, sexy vocals as well as hardcore drumming and perfect punk guitars and a coffin load of bass. I tend to prefer female led horror punk but have been completely reformed since first hearing them on the Zoundbies Vol. I compilation album released through Zorch Factory Records. If you are into horror punk, check out one of my newest loves, Jamey Rottencorpse and the Rising
Dead. Christine Plays Viola This is this month's DeathRock action and I am glad to present to you Christine Plays Viola in all their Gothic glory. What I like about these guys is that they don't limit themselves to exactly what the genre generally sounds like. In “Swallowed Cold Insanity” we start out with it sounding fantastic, but rather similar to other bands in the genre, but after an interlude of mostly vocals, we end on a piano note and an almost DoomGoth vibe. Each song has its own unique signature that lets you know it is by Christine Plays Viola and the name alone prepares you for something beautiful. The instrumentation is haunting but also rather inventive at times. Think mewithoutYou meets Camp Z meets The Damned. I am not only impressed, but honoured to be able to review them.
SumoCyco This fourpiece brings sexy, screaming rock to a new place where zombies are the norm and danger abounds. The vocals are amazing, the instruments loud, and the sound is perfection. Check out their unique blend of punk, power, and performance with their many music videos for songs such as “Dangerous”, “Limp” and “Interceptor” that give you a taste.
Honeykill Four piece Honeykill is great for those of you that are into a more alt rock scene. With a distinctly British sound, these guys will go far in the mainstream world and the underground grunge alike. Their three track demo is currently being circulated and, I have to admit, it pretty good quality for a demo recording. They have a fantastic range of influences and most can be heard rather smashingly in the talent of the band that is
Honeykill.
Book Review! I don't get to do book reviews often so I was very excited when I read “Radon Valley” by Tina Neely. A novel that I would recommend for preteens to early twenties, “Radon Valley” is all about the dark and the light and the battles between the two that we face each day. Mary, a high school student, is plagued by her sudden muteness...as well as the ability to see the world of angels and demons around her. Seeing the devastation caused by the constant battles, Mary is pushed into a fight, along with the new and dashingly handsome Jerik, to use the abilities she has to fight for her town. Just like Mary, Miss Neely keeps us guessing who are her friends, and who are really demons in disguise. This novel is brilliant and at the moment can be read free on Authonomy. Give it the ratings it deserves and soon we will see it on the shelves of every bookstore you can imagine.
The Hungry Gorge (Continued) 17th of November I had dinner with Victoria this evening. The sun is going down very early these days and she felt it was better for me to start coming out early rather than after she has already gone to bed. Victoria informed me of the library, in case I find myself bored or I wish to discover more about the world. "You can read about almost anything in there," she told me, refilling my cup with blood. "I began studying science when I was just eight and father's library told me everything I need to know." "Do you intend to follow his experiments?" "No. After what has happened, I feel I shall never read of science again. It only causes...problems," she said, glancing up at the last word before putting her fork in her mouth. I could tell by the way she said it, she meant me. I was the problem...I am the problem. And she resents me for it. If only her heart could burn for me the way I feel mine longing for her. She is a beauty unlike any other. I find it so strange that she has not friends or a lover. A girl of that beauty should be engaged by now, if not already married.
Yet she seems so dour, perhaps that is what has stopped her. I realise her life has been difficult, but I wish to change that for her. I wish for her to be happy. I find myself wondering in the mornings, as I try to find peace in sleep, if I could be the one to bring her such a joy, even if I am struggling to do so. >~< 13th of December Every night I have dinner with Victoria. And we continue into the late hours reading in the library together until she falls asleep on the large chair. She has slowly come out of her shell and grown maybe a little more cheerful. But tonight was different. Tonight she sat beside me as she read aloud from Blakean tragedy. "A Divine Image (I might warn you; this is not one of his happier poems) Cruelty has a human heart, And Jealousy a human face; Terror the human form divine, And secrecy the human dress. The human dress is forged iron, The human form a fiery forge, The human face a furnace seal'd, The human heart its hungry gorge." She paused for a moment and soaked in the words before adding, "What did you think?" "I am not human," I responded. She became very quiet after that. It is true though. I am a monster created by a human using humans, but not a human myself. Rather I am some sort of vampiric craft that an artist sewed together. She leaned into me on the couch and I felt a natural urge, telling me to place my arm around her. Once it was in place, she was able to get even more comfortable, curling her legs upon the couch. There she fell asleep, parked beside me. I wonder if it is her heart or her hungry gorge that has become accustomed to me. _________________________________________________________
If only she had known what he had been thinking that night. Victoria recalled waking him in the evening and reading it to him, hoping to create an atmosphere in which he would have no choice but to pull her close. Something, anything to ease the tension created by the poem. In the end her selfish desires had only saddened Markus. "I did not mean to upset you," she had said the next evening. "No, not at all. a smile.
I was merely pointing out a fact," he replied with
"You can tell me, you know. If I have said something wrongly. I only wanted to...you are human. You have a body and a mind and a-" she stopped before using the word "soul". Did he? Would he go to that glorious gate she had heard preached about? Or was he doomed to a death of nothingness. Was the soul of this body already there? Would Markus have to pay for the sins of those who had lived in the capsule? Did God acknowledge those He did not bring to life? "Yes. I have both those things." _________________________________________________________ 25th of December Today was Christmas and what a joy it was. I surprised Victoria with a bouquet of roses I picked for her in the night and she threw her arms around me in a hug. It was a beautiful thing to me, the first hug I have ever experienced. O' Victoria, she is such a beautiful woman. She gave me a book not in her father's library that she thought I would enjoy, it is of Blake's poetry, the poetry we read together every night. But this edition is mine. So I can read it and think of her day by day. When I am buried again, I want this book with me. But the hug and the book, this was just in the first hour of the evening. It was around one this morning that my beauty queen gave me the thing I shall think of every second. She left a slight, faint trace of her lips upon my cheek as she walked down the hall to her room. The lingering scent of purity only made it more difficult for me to not rush after her.
DeathRock Dollars This month's idea for Deathrock Dollars is how to get new music cheap or for free...legally. In the Deathrock and Goth world as a whole, there seem to be plenty of resources we can use for free music from certain bands. But here are some of my top tips for creatively being able to mutually support bands: 1.) Start a Fanzine
Bands will send you music so you will review it thus giving them free promotion 2.) Make a compilation If you make a themed compilation and ask bands to contribute, they will send you a song or two to choose from and you can help to promote them that way
Interview with lemmy Lupine
Before Lupine was started, what were your musical ambitions? Well i was in a punk /hard core band called anniliation factor back in the 80s supporting playing with bands like discharge,broken bones etc,,then there was carrion in the 90s bit of a goth metal band,,,and then lupine was born in 1997.
With over a decade as a band, do you feel the scene is representing itself any differently than when Lupine began? Now thats a good question,,,yes theres more younger goths comming into the scene,,musicly yes there getting more bands out there,,we have more goth radio stations,,like nightbreed radio,,more festivals,events,its all comming together as one big thing,,worldwide,,just glad that lupine are one of the old bands that started all of this back in the 90s,,with bands like midnight configuration,,13 candles,two witches,etc How has the line up changed since the initial forming of the band? Well i must say this,to date this is one of lupine's best lineups iv ever had,,,theres been that many commings and goings in lupine,,with diffrent bands,members are in,,,but back in the early lupine,,first lineup was a nightmare playing with my cousin peter on guitar,lucas swann was in the first lineup from the uninvited guest,,,he still stays in touch with me,,lol,,,old mates What have been some of the best venues to play and the best audiences to perform in front of? Carnval of souls was a good festival,,,then you have whitby goth weekend at the ress,theres so many of them to think of i can't say whats the best gig,,,because all have been good,,from the start to now on the deadly hollows tour 2011/2012 Can you tell us a bit about being signed to and working with Nightbreed Records?
Hahaha,,,love trever bamford 'nightbreed records,,,we were signed to nightbreed records in 2002 with the lp for the people who suffer lp,,its been years since we done a full lp like that,,,so we are really happy to be back in the studio again to do that again,,,the deadly hollows is the name of the new lp,,a part from that,,i run a festival called darkend,,with that,,its a part of nightbreed records,,and im allways looking out for new bands. Who in the industry has been your biggest inspiration? Trever bamford,mike mercer,wayne hussey,theres bloody loads,,theres been so many stars iv met,,its been a plesure been a part of the goth scene,,but there is one iv never met,, rozz williams,,god rest his soul,,i love his music,,, How do you prepare yourself for a show? Hahahahaha,,,well i don't eat before a gig,,i get my makup on,,somtimes that can be a pain in the ass,,and then just relax have a drink,,,then have a party on stage,,,then have a bigger party after the show,, What is your favourite song that you have written? At the moment its a new song,,,the deadly hollows,,its about the sleepy hollows,,,so don't lose your head,,,hahahahahaha Is there anything you have always wanted to be asked in an interview but have never had the chance? Yes is there any chance of someone in the goth scene making a help line called ,,n,p,o,c,a,g, National protection of cruelty against goths,,,