Sweden’s Scheitan, started off as a black metal band, back in 1996, but now in 2025, it is a far different beast. With one remaining member, PierreTörnkvist, over the years, Scheitan’s sound has become gothic rock, and the latest single is called “HeavenTonight,” out on the Greek label The Circle Music.
PHOTO BY DANIEL HOLMGREN
Woo, this could honestly be disco gothic rock with the energy of this track, ready to whisk you off to the dance floor. The thudding rhythms, the liquid vocals and the swirling electronics mix together. The lyrics are heavy with meaning, with the chorus either speaking of wanting something forever or a night of a perfect climax.
‘I will love to keep the fire alive While I know that I’m just waiting to die I will touch you in the heat of the night Oh, it’s a firefight / I’ll be in heaven tonight‘
I really like this track and it has this odd cadence that makes me think of the 80s track “IJust Died In Your Arms Tonight” by Canadians Cutting Crew… not that is a bad thing either, as it was a track about petite le mort or the little death that is an orgasm. Scheitan are looking for the perfect gothic love with “Heaven Tonight.”
Fans of The Birthday Massacre have been waiting with bated breath, for the release of a new album, and it seems they don’t have much longer to hold on. Pathways will be out on the label MetropolisRecords, however for now, you can immerse yourself in the new single “SleepTonight.”
There is a nice, harsh edge to the electronics to compliment the guitar. Chibi’s vocals are so much of what defines The Birthday Massacre’s sound, both sweet and strong… and occasionally creepy. For “Sleep Tonight” she is like an angelic dream, haunting, next to the weighty drum beats and raucous guitar, that hints at the promise of violence.
I remember first seeing The Birthday Massacre on a German music compilation video and proceeded to find the first album, and I thought it was amazing that these kids where putting out some great songs. Yeah, we won’t go into how old I feel now, but this band have never lost sight of their purpose in life and it has kept them accountable when creating music that is artistic and pleasing for themselves. “SleepTonight” proves that the wait was worth it, so bring on Pathways.
The Funeral March was breathed into life in 1987, also known as The Funeral Marchof the Marionettes, a US band heavily influenced by the early 80s post-punk scene. Original member, JoeWhiteaker, decided that the thirtieth anniversary might be time to revisit this project, and consequently added new band members Wayne Thiele (guitar) and longtime friend Darius McCaskey (bass). 2023 had the band recording the album It All Falls Apart, with musician/producer William Faith, at his 13Studio. It wasn’t until the end of recording Whiteaker was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which took him from his wife and children, as well as his music family in 2024. A video for the title track, “It All Falls Apart” has been released just before the album drops.
JOE WHITEAKER (1968-2024)
“I’d like people to know how proud Joe was of this record. We had a great time recording what would become It All Falls Apart with William Faith in 2023, before Joe was diagnosed with cancer, and he was able to hear the final mixes before he passed away. Joe didn’t have a specific theme in mind – each song was written independently, some even several years ago – but as tracks were selected and refined, this idea of things and people breaking down and falling apart emerged.” – DariusMcCaskey
The crying and echoing guitar curls your toes and it does not get much better than this. Whiteaker’s vocals are forlorn and calls out with the guitar, reaching for lost dreams and ideals, knowing everything is falling apart. His sighed ahs are the angelic acceptance.
This is a poignant tribute to a man and it fucking hits so hard. It already was a beautifully tragic song and with the passing of Whiteaker, just ramps up the overwhelming feeling of loss. It can be said that this is not like The Funeral March’s other work and you see them in a whole different light. There is a bigger point to all this that all monies raised from sales of It All Falls Apart can go towards his family. It is a good cause, and from someone who has heard the album, it is phenomenal and just highlights the dark wonder of a truly gothic heart.
Dark alternative music doesn’t seem to have any borders as to where it originates in the world and even the language used. Good music transcends all it feels, when everything is conveyed through sheer talent. Label Musica Tenebris are based in Warsaw, and they have released the four way split album Warsaw After Midnight, that features Polish gothic/deathrock bands Marie Laveau, Natures Mortes, Eat My Teeth and Nameless Creations.
The set list is arranged in blocks for each act, and first off the benches is NaturesMortes with four tracks, “Liar’sWeb” is the most recent release for this group, and indicative of their goth rocking style. You will be swept up from the beginning with the swift paced rhythm and ghoulish signature guitars, all the while being serenaded by the tortured sweet vocals that give no quarter and full of conviction.
Screaming fuzzed out guitar is utterly and instantly attention grabbing for the track “SaltInMyEyes,” by EatMyTeeth. The lead singer’s vibrato style is unforgettable, especially when he hits the high notes. as she almost seamlessly melds into the shrieking guitar. Discordant and rousing, all at the same time and a shout out to the drummer massacring the skins.
Natures Mortes (Facebook)Eat My Teeth (photo Sophie Louise)Nameless Creation (photo Lukasz Larakczyk)Marie Laveau (Facebook)
I get a really interesting vibe from NamelessCreations, and their use of electronics gives the track “Pain-Powered Machine” an early 80s feel, almost AlienSexFiend like, and strengthened by vocals. The music is relentless, swamping your senses like a kaleidoscope with the pulsating psychedelic assault, and this is just one of three tracks.
From the crypt comes MarieLaveau with four treats, and they are going to cast a spell on you with “AreYouBlind?“. These guys ooze European gothic cool and this latest single harkens back to stylings of France’s CorpusDelicti. The lead has a lovely dark quality to her voice and everything about this song is alluring from the classic goth rock guitars through to tight rhythm section.
Personally, I have always had a soft spot for sampler albums, and I have put that down to getting a taste of different styles and band, which opens up new musicians to further investigate. This is a great compilation from a scene that is obviously burgeoning with talent. Yes, I have picked one track from each band, but these are just the ones that first off caught my attention and in all honesty, the whole album is chock full of deathrock goodness. It is a delight to listen to these brilliant gothic aficionados from Poland and now, after falling deathly in love with Natures Mortes, Eat My Teeth, NamelessCreations and Marie Laveau, I want to visit Warsaw After Midnight.
We are going back to February of 2024, when the album If Blood Comes First was released by Dallas based Happy Phantom. This five piece is made up of songwriter JackieLegos (vocals, guitars), ZackBigalow (drums), ColbySias (percussion), JoshPrater (keyboards, synth), PhillipSozansky (bass guitar) and BrendanLadan (guitars).
It is important that the first track off an album grabs your attention, and “A StrangerWalking Shadows Through the Dark” has this in spades, from the sparkling intro, which continues through, and emotion filled jangling guitars, that harkens back to TheCure. Even Lego’s vocals remind one of RobertSmith, lending it to the feel of the legendary album Pornography, which will continue throughout. The title track is a swirling and echoing piece with the synths at the front in a winding classical soundscape domination, only broken by the vocals and occasional guitar. The lyrics in “If First Comes Blood” are beautifully poetic, and where does a relationship go to after we pass this mortal coil?
‘Waiting for the night and captured by the moon saving our goodbyes it’s over much too soon there’s nowhere left to hide when she comes to my bed with nothing but a lie dancing in my head…‘ – If First Comes Blood
“No Illusions” has great bass lines and the mood of the whole track is almost joyful, yet the lyrics tell of a loss where one cannot stay as the situation is eating them up, but they want to because of unreasonable hope. Let me guide you to track six, “I Dare To Love You,” with its booming drums rolling and subtle guitar. The conjoined voices could be a coven’s chant and the wonderful imagery of dancing on graves in a passionate tryst with a ghostly lover. The rangy guitar work is a throwback to early Cult in the track “Lust,” which is about the lack of emotion compared to love that requires as much give as take.
If you haven’t guessed, If Blood Comes First is about finding another dark soul that completes yours, bring the ultimate overwhelming gothic romance and the devastation of being bereft of that person, which leaves you a husk of your former self that yearns for what was lost. I think this album is heavily inspired by real life and also The Crow, which is about devotion, but on a deeper level, trying to be worthy enough to embrace love in death or knowing when you have to let go of those feelings that drag you under the waves of grief. Legos has professed that this is his favourite album so far, and we can hear why. If Blood Comes First is a brooding and heart wrenching ode to love, in the ideal sanctuary of a forever romance, set to a gothic serenade by Happy Phantom.
Religion and governance should never be mixed, but in the US currently, it is hard to see any evidence of common sense versus religious fanaticism. “Dead Gods” is the latest single from Vision Video, off their new new album Modern Horror, where Athens based Dusty Gannon and co. rage against the pricks.
PHOTO BY JEREMY SAFFER
A dissonance of guitar heralds the beginning and one cannot help but revel in the heavy post-punk bass. The synths strike like a high organ peeling while the giving of hymns in holy prayer, except they have the silken vocals that are calling out the double standards and misogyny that nationalistic Christians hold before them like they are actual scripture.
“Dead Gods” is catchy…. no it doesn’t break new ground, but it doesn’t need to do so. Gannon’s singing the chorus is still stuck in my head and you should take that as a good sign of a great track. You can hear the influence of The Cure and Chameleons, and as I always say, we need songs that unify the dark scene and politically push all the wrong people’s buttons.
We knew it was coming. Those Norwegians, Mayflower Madame have finally dropped the new album called Insight, near the end of 2024. They have been threatening this for a while, dropping singles along the way, like bread crumbs, in order to give you a taste but leaving you wanting more. Wait no more, and let the darkness take you.
We can not go past the last single, the track, “Crippled Crow.” The band’s signature guitar is there, but also the synths sound like gusts of cold air. The vocals are echoing and, for me, remind me a little of Echo and the Bunnymen. Without warning, drums and guitar fall into a wonderful vortex of noise, where you will want to save this broken ‘crow.’
There is an area in my chest that just reverberated with “Queen of the Underworld.” I am not sure if it is the heavy guitars or lonely piano, or perhaps the accompanying synths, but it resonates and captures feelings of shivering delight. The first track “Ocean of Bitterness” will instantly drag you into the dark heart of Mayflower Madame.
I am going to say that the cover brought back memories of another in the form of the UK’s Play Dead’s album Company of Justice, which is also an excellent gothic release. Mayflower Madame have that Scandinavian cool about them, mixed with a classic 80s post-punk sound, and creates magically dark and sonically expressive gothic music that strays into shoegaze. Insight is a collection of all the singles, yet there are all the other tracks here to discover and this album won’t leave you feeling disappointed.
Florida based AstariNite, has clocked up ten years on the dark scene, playing people their brand of goth music. The latest album, out on Negative Gain, titled ResolutionofHappiness is their fifth, and one might say, most interesting yet. The band has been incorporating a more shoegaze feel into the music, a throwback to their influences such as DavidBowie and Lush. In between touring, lead singer MychaelGhost, was gracious in talking to us about the band and the new album, which seems to have been born of both grief and the strong bonds of friendship that hold this group together.
Congratulations on Resolution of Happiness, which I believe is your fifth full length studio. Astari Nite has been releasing music since 2014, so I am wondering how the dark alternative scene has changed since you first started out?
Thank you Adele! You know, I am not too certain about what I have released in the past though “Here Lies” and “Resolution of Happiness” are still mint to me.
Sometimes it’s easier for me to leave songs that I write in specific periods of my life, far away and alone. I find it to be therapeutic that way. At least for today, I feel that way.
During the band’s travels throughout the U.S., UK and Europe, I met DJs, Promoters, bands and wonderful people who support this vibrant scene.
With social media platforms available, it also seems that more and more people enjoy sharing playlists, spinning music online and being very vocal on what they love or hate. This world is massive and there is space for everyone to share and love.
I have heard the Florida darkwave scene is pretty big, so could you tell us how you started up the band?
I met Illia, the drummer for Astari Nite at a Roller rink. I was sipping on a soda pop, and he walked up to me and said, “I like your Jeans.” Shortly after he offered me some candy and he and I ended up skating to disco for hours.
We decided to start a band influenced by what we had blasting on the jukebox religiously!
It took some time to find our guitar player Howard Melnick and bass player / Keyboardist, Danny A.E. I guess it was all fine and dandy once we agreed that Abba, Bowie and PULP rule the school!
The new album has a dreamy quality about it, through the echoing guitar work and yet it has a beating goth rock heart. Can you tell us a bit more about the concept behind the album?
I guess jumping in from putting out the Here Lies album a couple of years ago, we wanted to steer away from the gloom. We wanted to do something a little bit brighter as a nod to the nineties, which we were heavily influenced by during this record. And I think jumping down and speaking about facts in my life kind of put color to what the boys in the band were putting together musically. I was able to tell more of a story rather than hiding behind this shade of gloom, I guess you could say.
PHOTO BY WENDY DARLING
I am gathering a lot of the writing and recording for the new album happened during the height of covid. How did all this help or hinder the creative juices?
The death of my brother and father had a great deal to do with my creativity. The decline of my mother also played a part! I can’t really speak on behalf of the band, though I know they guided me through what I was going through mentally at the time. They walked with me and allowed me to sing or say whatever the fuck came to mind. The three of them saved my life! They showed me how to breathe again without being so shy.
You gradually released a few singles in the lead up of the album, one of those being the mesmerizing “Bowie in Daydreams.” How did you end up writing this track, and for you personally, how big an influence is Bowie’s music?
This was a special time for the band and I! This period is what we call the “Summer of Love.” A lot of traveling with our circle was happening. We were totally in bloom.
David Bowie was the soundtrack to our lives during all these magical memories being created. This song was a perfect way to pay respect to his beautiful soul along with telling our own story. For me, it was another way of saying goodbye to my sweet brother, Ryan. I miss him every day!
Another single is “Necessity Meal,” and I am curious about the story behind it….so what is it all about?
Danny from the start was engaging a hybrid bass line very reminiscent of The Doors and Funkadelic. His idea was to have Howard add additional guitars in respect to an alluring Hendrix style anthem, which would surely elevate the chorus. Once it was gift-wrapped, the song met its glam rock introduction. Staying true to my sincerity, I speak of feeling messy during strange and unusual occurrences while normalizing innocence.
I hear hints of early Christian Death in this album and vocally sounding like Rozz Williams, especially in the track “Tongue Tied Galore.” Was this a conscientious thing or a complete fluke?
I’ve heard so much about Christian Death and how Rozz Williams was such a beautiful person. His music is something that I have never traveled through. Some of my friends around the block mentioned that I would love his records. In time, I am certain that I will get around to it. There is a time and a place for everything. Perhaps I am not mentally prepared as of yet. Maybe sometime soon fate will come my way!
Is there a favorite track off the album?
Tongue Tied Galore
Astari Nite is very much a live band, so has it been a joy for you bring new music on tour?
I do enjoy it a bunch though at times, not having enough space to play other favorite tracks can be such a drag at concerts. I want to make people happy! It’s just a crying shame at times that I can’t play every song that is expected.
Oh, the choices that we must make in life can really make you want to swim in the deepest ocean sometimes.
After ten years, what is it about being in this band and scene that compels you to create great music?
The goth / alternative scene is a big inspiration for Astari Nite to continue to write music! The people that I have met at concerts really make me smile the most. Our band has been fortunate to share songs with the world. I am also very passionate about meeting everyone at our shows. It is important for me to attempt to say hello to everyone who took the time to make the night special.
PHOTO BY ALEXA JAE PHOTOGRAPHY
Which bands right now do you enjoy or find inspiration in?
Abba, The Beatles, LUSH and Rosegarden Funeral Party! Yea that is where it is at currently. I’m digging all the colors that their songs throw into the sky.
What is next for Astari Nite?
Finishing up a new single that will come to life fairly soon, followed by an EP slated for a 2025 release! I’m in love with writing music. I feel happy and pretty in my current state of mind.
Although the Resolution of Happiness album was released this past June, being in the studio once again with the bandmates is the closest I will ever get to redoing a childhood that was stolen from me. I am at my best when I’m in a room with Illia, Danny and Howard. You know what I mean, love the ones you’re with!
There are a few gothic rock bands that have captured the ears and imaginations that bring back people to listen time and again to their back catalogues. Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus and Siouxsie and the Banshees come to mind as well as The March Violets. There is never a gothic nightclub that doesn’t at least play one of their songs in my experience, with “Religious As Hell” or maybe ultra catchy “Snake Dance,” filling the floor with the children of the night. Starting in Leeds in 1981, the band has popped up time and again to tantalise us, before going quiet again.
Original members TomAshton and RosieGarland are back with the phoenix that is The March Violets, bring with them a new bass player, Mat Thorpe into the fold, signing to the label MetropolisRecords and releasing the full length album Crocodile Promises. The new album is full of that lovely guitar work from Ashton, Thorpe holding down the infectious rhythms, and, of course, Garland’s very recognisable vocals. I was lucky enough to be able to speak to Rosie, Tom and Mat about the past, present and very importantly, the future of The March Violets, as well as the new album. On a side note, new member Mat is already awesome because he mentioned New Model Army, let alone joining a legendary gothic rock band.
It is almost guaranteed if you attend a goth nightclub, you are going to hear a track from The March Violets. What do you think it is about your back catalogue that has grabbed the imaginations and hearts of several generations?
Rosie – The March Violets were not, and never have been, ‘Goth-By-Numbers’. We never tried to fit into a category – after all, there was no category of Goth when we started out. Leeds in the early 1980s was an exciting place and time for music, one of those rare moments when bands try out new things and new technologies. We wrote songs, recorded them, performed them and all at blistering speed and with blistering energy because we were in the moment and living from day to day. Whatever bubbled up, we grabbed it and slammed it onto recording tape.
Tom – Hopefully our originality and the catchiness of the songs themselves. There was a definite energy to all the bands surrounding us which we picked up on and I think a lot of music from that era has an indefinable quality that has help up very well over the decades.
The band started in back in 1981 in Leeds, and since then has been around in different incarnations, so what has kept you coming back to this project and do you feel differently about the music scene now as opposed to the 80s?
Tom – Can you be haunted by a band? Asking for a friend! For me it’s always been in my life and threw me out into the world at a very young age. It is like an old friend and guardian, and I can’t imagine being without the creativity it pulled out of me and continues to do. Long may it fly!
Rosie –The March Violets still have songs bubbling up and bursting out. Writing and performing wasn’t a phase I went through in my 20s, after which I settled down into beige normality and became a corporate lawyer. Creativity is a lifelong passion, and I have no intention of giving up. Ever.
THE MARCH VIOLETS EARLY 80S
Coming from the Leeds hot bed of gothic rock, and contemporaries to such bands like Sisters of Mercy and Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry, how do think the dark music scene has changed and is it for the better or worse?
Tom – I loved it in Leeds then, and I still love it now. The current scene is full of talented artists building on the foundations laid in the early 80’s and onwards. I like to think we are still part of that process, and the new album is testament to that. Back in the day technology made it harder and more expensive to record music and I’m all for the advances that have democratized access and methods of distribution.
Rosie – Today, it’s far easier to reach – and stay connected – with fans worldwide. We can build up followers via Spotify & streaming services that simply didn’t exist in the 1980s. However, it’s heart-breaking to see so many live music venues closing down across UK, EU & the USA. It makes touring much more problematic. In addition, Brexit & other visa issues have made things incredibly confusing, let alone more expensive.
The band is now based in Athens, Georgia, so has this brought about a renewed vigour from The Violets?
Rosie – Well, Tom is based in Athens, while Mat & I are based in the North of England… it makes things interesting!
Tom – Now we have arrived at our 3-piece line up it has definitely brought a new energy and we are looking forward to working on our next release.
This year is a massive one with The Lorries releasing their last studio album soon and The March Violets bringing out your new full length called Crocodile Promises. The theme running throughout seems to be a bit of a creature feature. Can you tell about the title and theme behind Crocodile Promises?
Tom – For me it’s about rediscovering our punk roots from the 70’s and blending all we’ve learnt musically in the time since then. It’s full of protest songs that delve deeply into personal relationships and politics as well as firing back at the deeply flawed systems we are facing in the 21 st century.
Rosie –Don’t believe a crocodile: it may promise the world and the moon on a stick. It can’t be trusted. It’s lies, lies, lies.
“Hammer the Last Nail” was the single released just before the album and between the highly recognisable vocals of Rosie and Tom’s classic guitar riffs, it felt right as a March Violet’s track. Can you tell us more about this track and also the video created for it?
Rosie – Tom created the video – it really captures the disruptive energy of 1980s Violets, while channelling everything we’ve learnt in between. Over to you, Tom!
Tom – The music came from something I wrote for a solo project back in 2004. It’s very much its own thing and a bit other worldly and in the video I wanted to kind of put us in that world in an alluring way that matched Rosie’s impeccable vocals and words.
Always hard to pick a favourite track, but for me is the amazing “Heading for the Fire.” Do you have a favourite track so far?
Rosie – I love how reviewers each have their favourite track from the album. It’s a wonderful compliment. It’s hard to pick a personal favourite, because I love them all. Maybe “Bite the Hand.” I enjoy growling the lyrics & wish my voice were deeper than it already is. Hey, Iggy! If you’re reading this and fancy a collaboration…
Tom –All of them lol! Yes, very hard to pick a favourite but maybe “This Way Out,” it has a line I love to play on guitar and that glam sensibility we all loved back in the day plus the words are just so damn relevant to this day and age.
Mat – I have to agree with Tom, “This Way Out” is a lot of fun to play… Not as easy as it might sound, but lots of fun.
THE MARCH VIOLETS 2024
How did you guys decide it was time for an album and how did you bring new member, Mat Thorpe into the fold?
Rosie – Mat played bass at our Homecoming gig in 2007, and has been lurking behind the scenes ever since. Now the lurking is over and he’s a full time member of the band. We could not be happier.
Tom – We love Mat! His jumping in at this point couldn’t have been any more helpful. And as far as timing for a new album, we wanted to make a new statement pulling in all that we loved about The Violets past. We had a lot of material waiting in the wings and it told us to do our job with it.
Mat – I’ve been lurking in the wings on and off since I played bass in the Violets 2007 reunion show. After doing front of house sound for them last summer, the stars aligned in 2024 and I joined Rosie and Tom in early January, recording my parts for Crocodile Promises and preparing for UK, European and USA tour dates.
On the technical side, where did you record and who was involved in bringing it all together?
Tom – I had a lot of musical ideas from the early 2000’s and we also had stuff that hadn’t made it onto Made Glorious so we combined and wrote/re-wrote the new stuff at my studio on Athens, GA. To save money and make sure it came out how we wanted it made sense to self produce and although it’s a little harder to be that involved in the finished work it definitely paid off as so many reviewers have stated.
Rosie –in January 2023, I flew over to Athens where Tom lives and we basically got together for a month and just wrote. A magical alchemy happened: we got rid of external distractions and just worked on songs. Tom had sent me some riffs and I’d sent him some words but when we finally got together it was like it was waiting to happen.
What do you think has changed about your attitude towards creating music?
Tom –I think I still have the same scenario where I tend to hear a riff and then imagine what else might be around it but the key is open mindedness. The next album might throw some surprises at our fans, but we’ll also build on familiarity and see what we can improve on. It’s definitely easier these days to throw an idea down and develop it cooperatively than when we started.
Rosie – Tom and Mat are supportive and encouraging. Which is the perfect environment when it comes to creating new music, I’d go as far to say this is vital for the Violets. We’re not our own tribute band, only playing the old tunes. We are alive. We grow, we develop, we create.
Mat – I’m looking forward to getting in a room with Rosie and Tom to work on our next album at the end of the next run of US dates. It will be the proper writing sessions together and I can’t wait.
What bands got you into music but more importantly, what are you listening to these days?
Mat – Adam & the Ants, Alice Cooper, New Model Army. Today I am listening to English Teacher, Sprints, Idols, Fontaines DC, Hania Rani. Ask me again next week and it will probably be different again.
Tom – The Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, Magazine, Bauhaus and countless others. These days I’m listening to Vowws, Lebanon Hanover, Tears for the Dying and Vision Video.
Rosie – I get earworms on tour. On leg #1 of the Crocodile Promises USA tour, Rosegarden Funeral Party’s songs got stuck in my head. Which is no bad thing at all… their music is amazing. Go check them out.
As we get older, there is a certain amount of clarity we are privileged in finally realising, especially in doing things for the sheer joy of it, and for me, this is what the current March Violets’ album sounds like. Do you think this is true?
Tom – Absolutely! I’m so glad that that comes to you from listening to the record. It feels like a celebration of all things that have been and will be coming for The Violets!
Mat – It’s definitely a joy for me to playing and creating music with Tom and Rosie after being a long time fan of the Violets. Long may it continue!
Rosie – You nailed it with the word ‘joy’. Rebecca Solnit says it better than I ever could, so I’ll leave it to her: “Joy doesn’t betray but sustains activism. And when you face a politics that aspires to make you fearful, alienated and isolated, joy is a fine act of insurrection.”
I gather you are playing live again so what is it like playing new music to an adoring crowd and is this something you really enjoy?
Rosie – I never get tired of performing & connecting with a crowd. It’s such a buzz. Our fans span all ages and it’s amazing. In fact, on the recent tour we noticed around 70% of our audiences are under 30 years of age. They weren’t even thought of when The Violets started out. I have fans describe me as a Scary Gothmother, & that I’ve inspired them to take pride in their weirdness. It’s intensely moving.
Tom –It’s been a revelation playing the new songs and seeing them go down so well with our fans, what more could you ask for? We can’t wait to head out on the road in the USA again later this October and do it all again!
Mat – Playing live with Rosie and Tom this year has been perhaps the most relaxing and enjoyable gigging experience I have ever had. The fans have been so enthusiastic and welcoming too which has been amazing to see.
What is next for The March Violets?
Tom – Ooooh! Well, we will be working on new material this year for release in 2025 so keep your ears pricked for news of that. The journey should never end!
Rosie – On leg #2 of the North American tour our main support is Die So Fluid. Plus, we had such a wonderful time with Rosegarden Funeral Party on leg #1, we invited them to join us on some dates… and they said yes! Can’t wait…
Mat – What Tom and Rosie said, but in a Mancunian accent 😉
French goth rock band CorpusDelicti, were pretty big in the 90s, and after several acclaimed albums, they kind of disappeared. In 2022, the band reformed and with the release of the single “Chaos,” in 2024, it was plain to see that they had not lost any of that magic. Their fan base in Mexico is huge and so in April, 2023, they played Mexico City, recording the whole thing in order to release the live album From Dust To Light.
PHOTO BY LOIC SWINY
What really hits you is the quality of the recording. So absolutely crisp and clear, with Pietrapiana’s vocals never swallowed by the music and the guitars that Delicti are famous for clean in the mix, so a shout out to the guys mixing this in the form of TéoSarfati and FranckAmendola. . Even the drums are beautifully picked up and this album is a joy to hear. I found myself singing along with “Saraband,” “Lorelei” and “Patient,” wishing I was at this live event and yet mesmerised by how good these tracks are live and that they are as fresh as they were thirty years ago.
It is a privilege to hear SébastienPietrapiana (vocals), FranckAmendola (guitar), ChristopheBaudrion (Bass) and LaurentTamagno (drums) playing classic tracks drawn from across four epic albums. The band are incredibly talent musicians and there is just something magical about hearing songs played that are not hinged on backing tracks. Everything rests solely on the shoulders of players and Corpus Delicti are pure class. From Dust To Light is a wander down memory lane… another place and another time, with songs that are timeless and I have to say, I am so happy Corpus Delicti are back.
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