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 willbe 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

Tobegin 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 Isaid 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, comesthe 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 BYep, 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, thephotography, 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. Thealbum 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 itnow.

Pixie-Dust

For the Glitchers I would like to introduce you to Pixie-Dust. I am completely 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 Rainbowin 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 ViolaThis is this month'sDeathRock 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 outwith 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 Doom-Goth 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.

HoneykillFour 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 isall 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 dinnerwith 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. Iwas 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.

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