This Brussels (Belgium, out of all places, dudes!!!) based Gothic Metal/ Electro Rock act was originally a duo composed of LadyHell (actual name Kristel, vocals) and Corpus Christi (music, guitars, programming, production), which released its debut EP An Intense Feeling Of Affection in 2010, only six months after first getting together.
Getting positive reviews and interviews from such webzines as Ravenheart, Sonic Cathedral, Ladies In Rock, and Musas Del Metal, as well as in German magazine Dark Feather (on which covermount album they also appeared), the band expands with extra musicians (current line-up, at least live, also includes Loki, Yoni, and former Hindi Rose's Sedjem – but, info missing, I have no idea about the guys' actual functions in the band, you know!) and sets out on a series of shows in Belgium, Holland and France, together with Dutch bands Asrai, Ex-Libris, and French act Elyose.
In early 2011, the core duo again retreated to the studio, to record the 14 tracks (in essence 12 full-length tracks plus an intro and outro) on the full-length debut, and shortly after met with renowned producer Victor Love (of Omega Lithium and Dope Stars Inc. repute), whom would give the recordings his typical handling. Now originally, the band was gonna be self-released in September of last year, but obviously the band meanwhile got the attention of Alfa Matrix (who are, after all, also based in Brussels, you know!), and with preparations to be done for the limited edition release of the album (read on for more info), the original release date was pushed back until the middle of March 2013.
Okay, getting down to the music, and in their own words, they are “...proposing a musical atmosphere mixing Alternative, Electro and Rock. They are combining the visual of Tim Burton, the glam of The Birthday Massacre or Marilyn Manson, with the musical inspirations of Lacuna Coil, Evanescence and Garbage...”! A great aid in this is Ladyhell's vocal stylings, which have been likened to those of Bjork, Anneke van Giersbergen (formerly of The Gathering), and even Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil). Personally, I agree with the Bjork connection, is as far as I find Kristel frequently has somewhat of an accent in her English vocals (most apparent on “Mother Of The Universe”, where the male backings display a similar accent – must be Belgian French, I guess). However, it's an accent I cannot quite place...which eventually gives her voice a unique texture after all! Nice touch on the album, is finding her sing the one track “Aux Dieux” in the French language. Ask my opinion, she should do this more often! Getting back to the music, I daresay that the (Goth) Metal riffs very much have a front role, although the Electro has an equal part to play, bringing added details to rhythmic parts as well as to the more (atmospheric) melodic undercurrents. Besides, occasionally the guitars fall away, leaving only electronics, which can be either invigorating, or alternately rather more atmospheric. Where everything comes together with thumping bass and pounding drums, the whole can be quite bombastic, in an exhilarating way!
As per usual with Alfa Matrix releases, 30-second samples of all songs can be found via the label's website. The limited edition 2CD box set of this album (mentioned above) includes an unplugged version of the song “Save Me From Myself” and 10 remixes of 5 tracks, performed by (in alphabetical order) Acylum, Diffuzion, Diskonnekted, Essence Of Mind, Helalyn Flowers, Implant, Junksista, Mari Chrome, Psy'Aviah. Get it, or don't, depending on your personal inclination!