Seattle Rocks and so does Legion Within

I recently travelled to Seattle, just because I could.  I fell in love with this artsy and creative city immediately. I did fall out of love with my GPS while I was there, but once I figured out where I was going it was all good.  I met a friend there and we took in some shopping on Pike Street, just a bit further uptown than the Pike Place Market (though I had to check that out too).  There were tons of funky little boutiques and when we saw Edge of the Circle Books, this crazy little occult bookstore, we had to check it out.

Edge of the Circle books also provides tarot card readings.  My friend, who is a musician decided to get a reading done.  The reading uncovered the core of what was blocking his success in his music.  It opened his eyes to new possibilities and what he needed to do to move forward.  His tarot card reader, Raven as it turned out is a musician as well.  She is the bass player for Seattle Goth band Legion Within.

Don't you just fucking love it when you don't expect to find new music and you do?  I sure as hell do.  I of course picked up one of their CDs and was blown away by how talented this group is.  Being new to Gothic music, I don't have much of a base to compare to, but I fucking know what I like and I do like Legion Within.

Their 2009 album Mouth of Madness features haunting vocals and is accentuated by a darkwave industrial rock sound.  What is it about fucking Seattle that inspires so much originality?  Music is constantly being re-invented there and I fucking love it!! Legion Within is no exception.  Oh hell, check em out for yourself...here's the title track from the album I bought, Mouth of Madness...

So now you see what I mean.  This band appeals to more than just goth fans, though I'm sure that's where their biggest fan base is.  You can check out more Legion Within at the links below and I've added the link for Edge of the Circle books too.  I have a couple of witch friends who would LOVE it!!

Legion Within on Reverbnation
Legion Within on myspace
Legion Within on facebook
Buy Mouth of Madness on cdbaby

Edge of The Circle Books - Seattle's resource for Paganism and the Occult

A Step into The Darkness

I know I've said it many times.  I love to hear new music.  So why has it taken me so fucking long to check out Gothic music?  It makes no sense considering when I read for pleasure I tend to turn to the macabre...you know Stephen King, Ann Rice etc.  And yes, I read the Twilight series as well even though I prefer my vampires to be a little more fucking evil.  And though I don't profess to be a gamer, my kids will tell you my favorite video games are the Silent Hill games.  So again, I must ask myself... why not Gothic music? ....it would seem to fit with my interests.
The only explanation I can think of is that I was waiting for an artist like Josh Stone to make himself known to me.  I guess you could say I came close before with David Bowie's Cat People album.  I fucking love that album and when I heard Josh Stone for the first time - Gunmetal Black Dress - I was reminded somewhat of that album.

I started to think of other rock artists, like Bowie who thought outside the box...artists I was finding comparable to Josh as I continued to listen to his album The Darkness.  These included Frank Zappa, The Talking Heads, U2, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and yes even a bit of  Korn and Disturbed too.  It didn't surprise me at all to find out that Josh himself lists some of these artists as influences and/or comparable music.
Josh sets himself apart with his use of sound...rain, creaking doors, metal against metal clashes....in essence creating an experience, a soundtrack to his poetry.  From the start of The Darkness... a light piano start might give you the lighthearted promise of happiness and sunshine on a fine summer day but then the heavy breath of someone (perhaps running for their fucking life) interrupts and the music takes on a far darker mood.
You can listen from one song to the next and follow the story of a young woman's despair and rebirth into something numb, cold and dark. Her attempt to pull another into her depths and how he manages to hold onto a piece of the light...

....or at least that's my interpretation.  Or you can listen to each song on it's own and let it present it's piece of the story, a story in itself.
If you're into goth you will most likely relate this album to the birth of a vampire and the destruction that ensues as a result.  If that isn't your thing you might relate these songs to the darker feelings and experiences of life - for instance, how difficult is it for a woman to feel love after being abused mentally, physically or sexually?  Does one not come back from that feeling fucking numb and cold?   Either way, Josh Stone brings this darkness to light, or rather, he takes you by the hand and leads you into the darkness for you to see and experience for yourself.  Go on, take a listen....then sweet dreams my lovelies buwahahahahahahahahahaha.......; )

Josh Stone links:
Josh Stone on Reverbnation 
Josh Stone on twitter
Josh Stone on facebook 

Preview and buy Josh Stone Music:
Josh Stone on iTunes