|
||
|
||
THE BANDS Examining Femme Metal’s roster is a sure-fire way of discovering bands you’d likely never encountered before. Not because they lack quality – quality is here in abundance – rather that while many have shared Carrie’s vision, few have coherently and dedicatedly carried it out, resulting in many female-fronted acts falling by the wayside. Below we introduce the eight signings that comprise the Femme Metal family thus far, and outline what you can expect from them this year, and where you can find out more. We were particularly struck by the number of bands who wanted to contribute their say to this article- clearly this is a label which has already engendered great loyalty and trust from its clients. A.D.D An American melodic metal-rock act with a diverse approach and fresh sound, A.D.D (Analog Digital Disorder) are at the mellower end of FMR’s spectrum, but have plenty of kick, not least due to their warm, creative guitar lines, and the deep, strong tones of vocalist Margaret Young. An extended edition of their 2006 debut is currently available from the label, and the band continue their impressive run of live appearances. Myspace: www.myspace.com/addloud ANCESTRAL LEGACY Symphonic Norwegians Ancestral Legacy are a slow-burning project, and have spent a good number of years making sure that their sound is precisely as they envisioned it. Although a number of interesting and imaginative EPs exist bearing their mark, the debut full-length from the band will be released later this year; expect powerful, fearless black metal with swathes of beautiful vocals from Isadora Cortina. Myspace: www.myspace.com/ancestrallegacy
|
||
|
||
ARAPACIS AraPacis are a truly progressive band, hailing from Canada and delighting in a sound that combines 70s prog rock with a modern, gothic metal twist, ably held together by the overarching vocals of frontwoman Lizzie Fyre. Invested with boundless creativity, this is an act unafraid of the possibility of forging their own path. The band are currently working on their second album, and already have some live appearances planned for later on in the Summer. Myspace: www.myspace.com/arapacismtl
|
||
|
||
BRAVE Progressiveness is a recurring feature on the FMR roster; Brave are another act with a forward-thinking, dark attitude. Founded by siblings Michelle and Scott Loose, the band already have two full-length albums under their collective belts, and have recently released a special 10th Anniversary CD of their 14 strongest tracks on the label. Michelle’s voice, sweet and clear, stands head above the vast majority of female-fronted bands who peddle a similar style, whilst the underlying musical approach hits dizzyingly beautiful heights Myspace: www.myspace.com/braveband |
||
|
||
CARDAMON Cardamon are FMR’s first signing from The Netherlands. Formed by extreme metal veterans Thomas Kalksma and Koen Romeijn, the band offers a classic mix of metallic crunch and beautiful female-voice melodies, not failing to evoke fellow countrymen The Gathering, but also injecting a good deal of their own spirit and fire for a unique and immersive gothic metal experience. 2009 promises to be the year when they burst through onto the international scene. Myspace: www.myspace.com/cardamon |
||
|
||
HAND hAND share a homeland with Femme Metal, and in spite of relative youth are remarkably hard-working and dedicated musicians, whose gothic edge mingles with a classic rock guitar sensibility and progressive outlook, resulting in an interesting and fresh listen, rendered raw by the intimate and honest vocal style of Kat Ward. Debut album "Deadroom Journal" impressed a broad range of critics in 2008, whilst 2009 promises a couple of new adventures, and various live performances. Myspace: www.myspace.com/handgothicband |
||
|
||
LYRIEL Femme Metal’s most recent acquisition, Lyriel are a German act with more than a hint of folk, and a confident, bewitching approach. Two full-lengths have brought universal applause, and a third is very much underway. The band continue to promote themselves through impressive, captivating live performances while the fans wait… Myspace: www.myspace.com/lyrielband SOULGRIND Perhaps the most experienced band on the roster, Soulgrind have been active since 1992. Not content with unleashing a hefty eight full-length albums, the band members have also found time to be active in a panoply of other metal bands. Distilling their creative approach into a blackened-gothic flavour of assault, Soulgrind are both powerful and moving, boasting a scope that knows virtually no boundaries. Myspace: www.myspace.com/soulgrind While many hard months remain until Femme Metal Records can be said to have stood the test of time, the overwhelming positivity and support that poured forth from their roster during the creation of this article are mighty testament to the genuine and selfless spirit of the organisation, and more than anything it’s determination and the right attitude that sail labels through difficult times. That FMR have also picked such an impressive collection of artists upon which to pin their hopes will not hurt either. Am I convinced that female-fronted bands need specific support to succeed in the world of metal? Not at all. The female-fronted acts with, for lack of a better phrase, the balls to succeed will eventually do so anyway. The gender of your vocalist can’t really hinder or help you, when ultimate push comes to critical shove. But ask me whether I think a supportive, positive platform for ‘femme metal’ is a good thing, and I’m totally sold; all eight of these bands had escaped my radar, because they don’t hit the right trends to be pushed by your traditional outlets, and they inhabit a forest through which I do not regularly root, pig-like, for musical truffles. Much as Carrie felt the need to state in her interview, I don’t like Femme Metal Records because I’m a woman. I like them because they are championing their own particular corner of the underground, and bringing woefully hidden gems into the light. Watch them in 2009. I don’t doubt they’ll unleash yet more treasures. |