N.W.O.B.H.M. Wednesday: Rock Goddess-It's More Than Rock And Roll

Bite You To Death Records
2017

Formed in 1977 by sisters Jody (lead vocals/guitars) and Julie Turner (drums/backing vocals), Rock Goddess is a legendary N.W.O.B.H.M. band from London, England that has only gotten better with age! The group's brand new 3-track EP, "It's More Than Rock And Roll", is all the proof that ones needs to make such a declaration. Backed up by longtime bassist Tracey Lamb (ex-Girlschool), Jody and Julie Turner reaffirm that there is no age restriction on rocking out! Just click on the official video of the title track to hear it for yourself!! It is posted right below this article and it is everything that I love about (straight-up) heavy metal! As someone who discovered Rock Goddess by way of the group's 1983 self-titled debut, "It's More Than Rock And Roll" makes me fall further in love with the exceptional talent that this trio continues to showcase. And that is just the EP's first track! Besides the (instant-classic!) title track you have "Back Off" and "We're All Metal". All three numbers offer a slightly different take on heavy rock/heavy metal and they are all equally suburb. With the self-explanatory "Back Off" the members of Rock Goddess put their feet down and make a stand. This stand is aided by heavy riffs and a metallic edge that just screams "Crank me up!" and "Listen up and listen good!". It's also the perfect way for this London trio to reaffirm their well-deserved place in the metal scene. Of course fans of Rock Goddess realize that this status statement isn't necessary. There has never been a question about what Rock Goddess means to the scene. If anything this just tells today's youth that this is where it all started. It was bands like Rock Goddess that broke down the doors and made it clear that heavy metal shouldn't be about your sex, but your talent and skill set! Just in case that isn't obvious enough to everyone in the metal community, "We're All Metal" spells out the fact that heavy metal is about the music and the lifestyle it fuels. I've always said that the heavy metal community is one big family and "We're All Metal" speaks to that bound. Due out on May 19th, "It's More Than Rock And Roll" is heavy metal at it's finest. If there is any fault to be found with this EP then it has to be it's length. After a couple of spins of "It's More Than Rock And Roll" you just can't help but want to hear more. These three songs remind you of the staying power that is Rock Goddess and exactly what new music means for the fans. Hopefully this EP will start the ball rolling again for this N.W.O.B.H.M. outfit and we won't have to wait so long in-between releases!

                                               

You can pre-order the digital version of Rock Goddess' new EP by heading here. Meanwhile if you head this way you can pre-order physical copies of the EP.  The first 500 copies will be signed and numbered!

Interview with Characula

"The desire of a woman... mixed with the blood of a she-demon...". That is Characula, a divine rock goddess that is neither a vampire, nor a werewolf, mummy or any other creature known from myth and folklore. No, she is more...so much more. A supreme priestess for a world which is undeserving, she is a gorgeous goddess of the underworld, one filled with darkness and delight. Characula, having already blessed us once before by gracing these pages ( http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Characula ), could have left it at that. And yet not only did she allow this mere mortal (one of nothing but flesh and bones!) to come before her in humble servitude, which was as scary as it was sensational(!), but Characula was gracious enough to answer questions from me, a pitiful slave to her awe inspiring power! Read on and have your eyes opened. Be forewarned though. Characula will have you as her own. No one escapes her seductive gaze. No one...

Andy-Who, or better yet what, is Characula? Are you really a rock goddess or something more...sinister?


Characula-I am a transcendental being spawned by evil and mothered by death. I also have a great personality and am a lot of fun to be with!

  
Andy-Let's be honest, You're not of this realm are you?


Characula-I am from a place Dante describes in his journey through Hell: the Circle of Lust. But even he doesn’t quite get it right. Could you imagine being at any point in the space-time continuum at will? For example, I can simultaneously inhabit the 3rd, 69th, and 666th dimensions, all in one blow ;)


Andy-Have you come to serve mankind of enslave us? If it's the second part might I offer up my services willingly!


Characula-I have come to gorge myself on the carnal bounties of man… and play a few shows in the process. It’s the perfect way to entrap my victims. Like the tarantula in my mummy video, they will come willingly. :) When are you available?


Andy-I am at your beck and call! Now tell me, if I am not being too forward in asking a high goddess or your stature, when it comes to your music-is it meant to entrap mankind? There is something mesmerizing about it. When I listen to it I lose all track of time and my surroundings....


Characula-I see you’ve already fallen victim. The songs are written to render you senseless in all but your basest proclivities; a soul tenderizer for impending… adventure. 

Andy-"Headstone" is just the latest feast of the senses. Could you tell us more about what came before that track and what we have in store coming up?


Characula-"Headstone" is a song dedicated to my last ten boyfriends - may they all rest in peace - and the future ones I’ll have during my Circle of Lust tour in the U.K. later this summer! Preceding "Headstone" were "Deadlight District Dolls" – a shout out to my gurlz back home, "Mummy Dance" and "Ready for Love", all of which made it to the national airwaves and placed in the top 50 of the U.S. Mediabase Activator charts.

There are an additional six or seven equally spellbinding original Characula hits that will be included on my album, due out toward the end of the year. I never play all my cards at once.


Andy-You're working with the mortal Dito Godwin if I'm correct right?


Characula-Yes. I chose Dito because he is an accomplished musician and has a track record [pun intended] of working with classic rock acts, many of which are known worldwide. Though I am everlasting, my patience is not! I align myself with success. 

Andy-For anyone else who wishes to be a willing subservient where should I direct them?

Characula-I've adopted the ways of the 21st century and have gotten my own webpage, Facebook and twitter accounts!

http://www.characula.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Characula

https://twitter.com/characula

Andy-As we part what message would you like to leav for mankind?

Characula-Eat well. You taste better that way. And come to me shows. I would love to taste...I mean...see you!