Darlene Le Fay (vocals)
1. So what is the Erotic Death story to this point? How did the band come together?
When Steve and I met we began to write dark doom metal with me on keyboards and soft soprano ghost like vocals. Steve wrote the guitar and did death vocals. We recorded our music and stored it just for us and friends to hear. With in this time we wrote many more songs together and decided to find band members so we can play live and try to look for a record deal. It has always been a dream of mine to write music and sing for a metal band. At this point we have a solid line up with 2 music majors Ivy (keys) and Jose (bass) ¡V a second guitarist and a kick ass drummer! We also have a session violinist.
2. How would you best describe the overall sound of the band?
The sound of the band has strong, soprano, female vocals changing to witch like screams. The guitar sound is powerful and heavy, ambient keyboard melodies weaving in and out of the songs and guttural male deep growls. Also labeled Gothic Metal because there are female vocals and its only typical ¡¥cause any band with a female singing clean is labeled this. But I like Melodic Metal or symphonic metal.
3. Does the band have a primary song writer, or is it done collectively?
The primary song writers would be Steven Sin and Chris. They write out the guitars and then I write the lyrics to match the mood and style sometimes with help from band. Everyone one else adds in there parts with there own creativity. It is also done collectively. Everyone jumps in and improvises together and zone out for a while and it becomes a song after we piece it together.
4 . Has the band decided on a title for the new album, and how is the recordingprocess going so far?
Yes! We have decided our 1 st album title and it's called "Promises in Blood". The title grasps the song tracks into one. The recording process for this album is rather slow because we have a friend who is recording it for us and he is a busy man with his own band and work. We might pick up the process by recording at Sonic Ranch if the wait is to long. Sonic Ranch studio is where Cannibal Corpse recorded and Damage Plan. We want this album to be ready before this summer. But before we release it we want to find a label to do this for us.
5. Are the songs "Faith torn from Grace" and "Bereft of the Lost Breath" going to be included on the new album?
Yes. Those two tracks will be on the album. Those songs will also be re-recorded with keyboards and more vocal tracks for harmony and choir.
6. When the new album is released, are there any touring plans?
Of course! We plan to tour anywhere where there is similar artists (melodic metal) playing and other styles of metal. Also we have been asked to play in "Zillo" metal festival in Germany where many famous dark metal bands have played in. We will definite tour everywhere we can but mainly in Europe cause the Gothic Metal scene is bigger and more supportive than the US.
7. Have any of the members of Erotic Death played in other bands that we may know of?
That you or others may know of? No. These bands that we have all been in are underground and never really have been known other than our local city. Maybe a few fans from other states have our cd but like I said it is underground music. Also these bands don't play together anymore. All of the members have been involved in other bands in the past. I have been a singer in 2 other bands that don't exist anymore. Steven Sin and Albert (drums) have been in the old the bands with me.
8. Have you had any formal vocal training or do you just naturally sing well?
(Smiles) Thanks. Actually all of my immediate family has very good vocals. So I believe it's in my blood to sing well. No vocal training what so ever. My 2 sisters and my mother are really good singers. We took control of a church choir since I was young. My mother sang and played the keyboard. But I veered away from the church when I was 13 and joined a melodic black metal band doing vocals. I never liked singing in the choir cause I hated the happy melodies and hated to sing them. I just didn't wake up and have a good vocal, I use lock my self in my room and sing all day long every day to my favorite songs and buy music that challenged my vocals and learn them 100% perfect. All of my spare time was on singing and it's the best feeling in the world to me. I still sing everyday but not as long because I don't have as much free time like I use to.
9. What other vocalists inspire you?
Wow¡K I have a few singers that inspire me. Annke Van Giersburgen from The Gathering, Tarja of Night wish, Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil, Louise Post and Nina Gordon of Veruca Salt and Dawn Desiree from Rain Fell Within + many more¡K
10. Is it empowering to see so many great female vocalists in the Goth/Metal genre today? How do you feel about this?
I think its great because there is so much good music in the Goth metal scene today that keep me listening. I live for music. And living for music is not a bad thing at all. I will always be involved with music no matter what, I will never stop. I love buying music from new bands and old bands. The latest band that I know of is Midnattsol. Carmen has a beautiful unique voice and the music is a folk metal which is totally unique. I wish to see more bands with female vocalist because we can all share our music and maybe play together in a big festival and rock the hell out!
11. Do the members of Erotic Death all share a similar taste in music, or is there ever any musical conflict?
Every member in Erotic Death wanted to create something different and new to the metal scene. So we have no conflict on writing the music together cause all our ideas make a unique piece of music. Our bass player is into hardcore metal which I really don't like very much ¡V sorry to say ¡V I do like a few that tear it up but, I clash with his music but it's not even problematic. He also loves melodic metal like early In Flames. Steven Sin listens to Goth, Black to death even 80's hair bands. He loves most death metal like Sadistic Intent. Albert is into melodic metal symphonies, like Therion and bands that have drummers that are technical and have creativity and talent just like him. Ivy listens to a lot of classical music since she is a pianist but, she also loves music of Dissection and Suffocation. Chris listens to Death metal and melodic metal which is why our music is so melodic and heavy. I on the other hand listen to many types as well but, mainly metal with female vocals because I personally love atmospheric music especially with keyboard. Rain Fell Within is a favorite. Also an old favorite style of music I like is thrash ¡V like Entombed, Death Angel and Dismember..
12. How did you personally discover the dark side of music?
I was always interested in eerie atmospheres, horror films, witchcraft, demons, angels and the aesthetics of the dark side. I was always the angry little girl in school or the anti social one in black clothes who hung out with one girl and a bunch of metal head guys which were my best friends. You can't be disguise by me for too long though¡K I am also a funny person.
13 . Now what would this interview be without a few Lone Star questions? When I think of Texas, Goth is not really the first thing that comes to mind. What is the scene there like?
The scene here is surrounded by Death metal and Gore grind metal. There are very few melodic metal bands here in Texas. Hardcore has taken over and it annoys the hell outta me for many reasons, but I don't want to get into that. This is why our band has a lot of attention here because there is a lead female vocalist and the music isn't like any other band here. There was a similar styled band in our city but, once again¡K the hardcore metal got to there minds and changed there melodic black metal style.
14. Is there a different type of crowd between your stateside shows and the ones in Mexico?
Oh, Hell ya! The crowd in Mexico is full of power and bright energy! Everyone enjoys our music and bands that are gothic metal. Also Power Metal is big over there too. Mexico is the best place to play for any talented, bad ass band. In our state, we have gotten a few big crowds and some fans but it is not as supportive as Mexico city.
15. This question requires only a Yes, No, or No Comment. George W. Bush, a fellow Texan. Is this a good thing or bad? (LOL)
BAD¡KBeing a president from Texas will always be an alcoholic or pot head. (laughing)
16. on the serious side of things. What does being in Erotic Death mean to you personally, and what do you want your fans to get from the music?
Erotic Death to me is a kind of home and place where I can express my inner self. Every single song is filled with truth and emotion. I want our fans to feel our music with there own emotions, I also want them to listen to our c.d and bang there fucking head.
17. On the not so serious side of things. How does it feel to be the very first Nocturnal Euphony featured band of the month? (March 2006)
We are all really excited to be the first feature of the month and we look forward to reading other bands through out the time of this site hoping to find some good music. Thank you for this interview!