Benjamin Fouché of Morbus Tenebris I enjoy losing myself in gothic melodies and if you do too, then you’ll take great delight in listening to Morbus Tenebris. This music project is the brainchild of Benjamin Fouché who embarked on this venture in 2018. Since then, he has released a trio of albums, as well as books to accompany them. Here, I give a closer peek at the artist’s work. Morbus Tenebris made its debut with Shadows on the Wall, followed by Eternal Night and Corruption Immortal. I’ve played all three and as soon as the opening track, “Lost at Midnight,” of the first album resounded fro ..read more

John Robb (Photo credit: John Middleham) “Nothing exists independently; goth was a kind of fever. It just seemed to seep in on a tide of black lace and black leather.” –Nina Antonia quoted in The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth Various books have been written attempting to unravel the mystery of the goth subculture and trace its roots. A new text has recently been added to the canon, The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth by John Robb who’s the frontman of the post-punk band The Membranes and head of the online media publication Louder Than War. His behemoth of a book takes a deep plun ..read more

Musician Emma Russell, aka Fuschia Phlox If you rage against the patriarchy and champion women’s independence, then Aspro A.S.B.O. is an album you’d enjoy. It is the latest release from musician Fuschia Phlox and possesses a darker mood compared to her other works. The tracks explore themes of female suppression, objectification and empowerment, beckoning listeners to heed their message in a magical way. The sound of Fuschia Phlox is a blend of pop, rock, and alternative sounds, but what sets Aspro A.S.B.O. apart from her previous repertoire is the touch of gothic influence and explicitness pe ..read more

Photo by Jacob Maximillian Baron The worlds of classical music and dark alternative magically collide when listening to the melodies of Wikka. The artist behind the persona is Alexia DelGiudice Bigari who’s an adept vocalist and violist from New York City. She studied at The Juilliard School, then went on to receive her Master of Music degree at Northwestern University. Her classically trained background and appreciation for the macabre influence her art, and the result is enticing. Wikka’s recent release, Specters, features seven tracks that take the listener on a journey through dark fairy t ..read more

Photo courtesy of Edward Transylvania Into the depths of the psyche we go, with artist Edward Transylvania as our guide. The Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and poet has been crafting macabre magic through his lyrics for more than a decade and is continuing to carve out his own place within, not only the goth genre, but also the world of dark music. Listeners can expect passionate vocals and sinister beats. Transylvania doesn’t limit himself when it comes to his art and it’s apparent when taking a look at his body of work. To start, he’s the front man of two bands, Experiment Perilous and ..read more

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 ..read more

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.   Drawn to morbid subject matter as a child, Vargo, who hails from Cleveland, Ohio, was fascinated by horror, monsters and the uncanny. He is a self-taught artist who experienced much rejection early ..read more

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. Vampyre: Symphonies from the Crypt album cover (Artwork by Keith Parkinson) I still recall the first Midnight Syndicate CD I bought at Hot Topic nearly 20 years ago. It was Vampy ..read more