In Strict Confidence – Interview by PromoFabrik 2010

Hello Dennis, thanx
for taking time to answer a couple of questions pertaining your new album “La
Parade Monstrueuse“. In our last interview you outlined the theme of the album
as “a dark, strange circus world”. What is awating the listeners?

Dennis:
First and foremost it has to do with the artwork. We have taken the theme of
circus or cabaret and created our own world based on that.

Would that be
correct to assume that the topic of circus serves for you as a metaphor for the
illusory world, the same you deal musically with?

Dennis: No. As I said
the topic has to do with the artwork. Musically we work absolutely independent
from that.

As a kid have you been often to a circus? Does it fascinate
you?

Dennis: Sure I have been to a circus as a kid but I don’t really
like it. In any case I feel sorry for the animals. They do not belong there and
it cannot be a good life for them. However I admire the acrobatic numbers very
much. I find the circus life interesting but it doesn’t get me excited.

We’ve got an impression that the new album sounds much harder that its
forerunner. Was it planned like that from the very beginning or did things
develop in this direction as the production proceeded?

Dennis: Yes, it was planned in advance. We wanted to make the sound more
raw compared to “Exile Paradise”. Naturally, not all songs are this hard.

Is this hardness a result of rage against all those things pretence?

Dennis: No, no. I’m a very laid back person. Rage and anger aren’t my
thing.

Who was responsible for the unusual artwork?

Dennis: It is impossible to mention just one person. The general idea was
mine but it took 12-15 people to realize it. From the models to the makeup
artist, stylist, photograph and illustrator. It certainly took many hundreds of
working hours to get the final result.

The limited edition contains a bonus-CD with many remixes. Did you pick
them yourself?

Dennis: Yes, sure. Nobody tells us what to do in this regard. We made a
remix for ASP in the past thus he offered his work in return. I’ve been in
contact with Rhys Fulber for a long time and was very glad when he agreed to
remix our song. X-Fusion was also a very conscious choice since I was looking
for a gaudy remixer. I’m more than content with all the results.

Moreover, there is a remix contest for “My Despair”. Could you take stock
of that?

Dennis: Like in the past we have got the whole range in terms of quality.
From very “unique” remixes to true pearls it’s all there. I have only got a
chance to hear about a half of them and I’ll take more time to listen very soon.

The original version of “Set Me Free” you sing as a duet with Nina in two
languages. What is the idea behind it?

Dennis: Actually it is just a stylistic device to underline certain
things. It has no specific meaning for the lyrics.

We are very excited about the remix by ASP. What can you tell us about
it?

Dennis: A wonderful job. The guys made it sound very ASP-like. And it is
not just remixed by even enriched with ASP’s vocals close before the end.

Why is it a good idea to by the new issue of Sonic Seducer?

Dennis: Because we attached our EPCD to it! It is a rather unusual way of
distribution for a CD but it’s a move with a great potential to reach audience.

Your new tour kicks off in April. Have you planned anything special?

Dennis: First and foremost we are eager finally to perform new songs.
We’ve almost bored ourselves playing the same songs for five years. Hahah. As
far as far as female vocals are concerned Antje’s singing will be completed by
Nina’s. That way they will be rarely on stage at the same time but will be
taking turns. I’m working on expansion of the video projections.

You’ve got Diorama as a support act…

Dennis: Right. That came in handy because their new album comes out
almost at the same time. It would make no sense to tour separately while
competing against each other. Instead, we offer a nice package for the audience.

Your opinion about the following two words…:
- Snow

Dennis: I’ve had enough of it this year. I live in the mountains and used
to lots of snow but it has been enough for one summer.

- Cultural Capital City of 2010

Dennis: Essen and the Ruhr region if my memory serves me well. As far as
I can judge it deserves this title. But you are probably getting at our show in
Essen in Easter… Then Essen’s title is more than justified.

And your final words are…

Dennis: Thanx for the interview and best wishes to everybody.

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Contact:

Contact Person: Duvall Gilchrist-Montgomery

Company Name: Darkfaery Subculture Magazine

Email Address: duvy.dfsm@gmail.com

Web site address: http://www.darkfaery-subculture.com

Oklahoma City, OK February 1, 2010 Darkfaery Subculture Magazine and Darkfaery Girls are looking for independent clothing designers and crafters to feature in an upcoming issue, we will consider anyone that is genre based but we would prefer those that have Etsy shops or sell their craft from home. The Darkfaery Girls would like to have their photos taken for their bios and event photos wearing your creations. If you design costumes or rare items we would love to see your creations in our magazine on our models. We would really like to help creators that don’t have access to models or published works, this meets with our mission statement and we feel as if we are helping the art community.

Through the years it has been DFSM’s mission to bring together the underground music, art, and fashion scenes that have, in the past, tried to remain exclusive and reclusive unto themselves. DFSM is committed to stamping out pretension among the genres so that fans and industry professionals can come together to create something memorable, and darkly beautiful, for years to come.

DFSM reflects a unique lifestyle which both its readers and publishers strive to be a part of. Featuring and attending local events, conventions, and fairs, DFSM continues to transcend the labels and prejudices placed upon the freakish, interesting, weird world upon which we live.

Our magazine is distributed worldwide and free online from various publishing outlets, including our website. We have several ways we can offer to promote your business or idea. We attend, create, and sponsor many big name events throughout the year where we put together a promo pack of flyers, sticks, business cards, and items that we give away as a gift bag. We have found that this is a great source for us and for our readers to find services and products that might be of interest to them. We would like to invite you to take advantage of this with us by sending us your materials and/or linking with us as partners. If you would like to view a sample of our magazine you can find it free online:

http://www.darkfaery-subculture.com

http://issuu.com/darkfaerysubculture/docs/dfsm-magcloud

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february 2010

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Shadow Kiss is the third book in the Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead. This book is not the best book to read by itself, the first two books set the tone for this book, and having a little background knowledge is very helpful. But in case you didn’t read the first two here is a synopsis of them. The story is told from Rose Hathaway’s point of view. Rose is a Dhampire, training to be a guardian at St. Vladamir’s Academy. St. Vladamir’s Academy is a school for Moroi Vampire’s and Dhampire’s. Moroi are good Vampire’s that possess special magic, dhampire’s are Moroi guardians, they are half Vampire and half human. Rose is Lissa’s best friend and guardian in training. They have a special psychic bond, in which Rose can hear and feel all of Lissa’s thoughts. She can even get in her head to an extent where she has an in body experience inside Lissa.

In this book, Rose and Lissa are in their last year at the Academy. Rose and the other novice guardian’s are going through their 6 week in field training experience. This is where the instructors stage attacks on Moroi and the novice guardians have to use what they have learned to protect the Moroi. Even though Rose is set to protect Lissa when they get out of school, Rose has been assigned to protect Christian for this exercise. Christian is Lissa’s boyfriend, and Rose and Christian don’t exactly get along. In this book though, they become better friends, and end up trusting each other and fighting side by side.

The plot for this story starts out with Rose seeing Mason’s ghost. Mason is a friend of Rose’s, you could even say they dated a bit, but Mason died in the last book trying to fight Strigoi. Rose is confused and frightened by the sightings of him, and is determined to find the meaning of these sightings. It soon comes to light that Rose is seeing Mason because the Academy’s magical protection is faltering, and Strigoi have planned to attack the school, and they soon do.

Rose and Dimitri learn this just in time to warn the school, but not before Strigoi get inside the barrier and declare war on the Moroi and dhampire population living in at the Academy. A huge fight breaks out between Moroi and Strigoi and many are killed. Dimitri, who is the love of Rose’s life, is turned Strigoi, and this sets Rose out on a mission to find and kill him. At the end of the book Rose drops out of the Academy and goes on a search for Dimitri. And even though the book leaves more questions than answers, I think it set the stage for the fourth book.

All in all, this is the best book in the series thus far, as far as I’m concerned. The characters are developed a lot more, and the plot is well thought out and blends very well with the rest of the books. If you are interested in reading Vampire Academy, look forward to this installment, you will not be disappointed.

Vampire Books

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I’m reading the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead and I think I like the second book even better than the first. I loved “Vampire Academy” but she really outdid herself with “Frostbite.” These young adult paranormal stories will definitely please the over thirty crowd as well as teens. The story picks up shortly after the first book. It has the same great characters and a few new ones.

Christmas is coming up and it’s time for the winter break at St. Vladimir’s. Lissa’s Guardian, the Dhampir Rose, has a crush on her instructor and mentor, Dimitri Belakov. The two of them go to see famed Guardian Arthur Schoenberg, so Rose can take her make-up Qualifier exam. They find seven royal Moroi, massacred along with their Guardians. It appears the Strigoi, the evil and immortal vampires, are being helped by humans. The Academy decides to send the entire school on a holiday trip to the exclusive Moroi ski lodge. It’s for their own safety so the school can pool their guardians for protection. Meanwhile Rose’s mother has returned after years of no contact with her and another woman has eyes for Dimitri. Even worse their enemies are closer than they realize.

The author brings new readers up to date, so if you haven’t read her first book you can still enjoy this one. There is less interaction between Rose and Lissa because Lissa is preoccupied with her new boyfriend, Christian. But this time more focus is placed on Rose who narrates the story. There’s the usual teenage angst, drama and jealousy, plus lots more emotion, romance and action. Mystery, intrigue, twists and turns will keep you guessing. It’s a great follow up to a great series with lots more to come.

Reading Level: Young Adult

Publisher: Razorbill (April 10, 2008)

ISBN: 978-1595141750

Pages: 336

Gail Pruszkowski reviews for “Romantic Times BOOKreviews” magazine and her work has been published in the “Cup of Comfort” Anthologies.
http://mysite.verizon.net/bookworm.gp/
http://write-juncture.blogspot.com/

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I may not be a young adult but “Vampire Academy” is a book I could definitely sink my teeth into. It’s the first in a series by Richelle Mead. The author puts a new and unique spin on the vampire legends of old. Forbidden love, friendship, loyalty, romance, intrigue, this one has it all.



St. Vladimir’s Academy in Montana is no ordinary school. It’s a boarding school for vampires where they are taught magic and teens who are half human, half vampire are trained to protect them. Lissa is a mortal Moroi Vampire Princess and her best friend and bodyguard is Rose Hathaway, a Dhampir, who is trained to combat the immortal Strigoi, who are dangerous rogue Moroi. Two years ago Lissa and Rose ran away but they were found and brought back in disgrace. The academy has become a dangerous place for them. Gossip, peer pressure and forbidden romance are the least of their problems. Lissa has secret powers that are growing and affecting her in different ways. Now she is getting anonymous warnings from someone who knows her secret.

Rose and Lissa have a great relationship and it’s the focus of the story. The plot starts when the girls are caught and returned to the academy and it takes off from there. Good secondary characters and intriguing subplots make the pages fly. There’s a forbidden romance between Rose and Dimitri which adds another dimension to the story. Mead doesn’t talk down to her readers. She describes a dark contemporary setting and includes some strong language and sexual content that some readers might find offensive. It might be a supernatural tale but it deals with teenage issues that are relevant to most teens. If you like “Twilight” and “House of Night” you’ll probably like this series as well. It’s an engaging mystery with an unpredictable ending and it is definitely worth a read.

Reading Level: Young Adult

Publisher: Razorbill (August 16, 2007)

ISBN: 978-1595141743

Paperback: 336

Price: $8.99

Gail Pruszkowski reviews for “Romantic Times BOOKreviews” magazine and her work has been published in the “Cup of Comfort” Anthologies.

http://mysite.verizon.net/bookworm.gp/
http://write-juncture.blogspot.com/

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ORPHAN – REVIEW

4 out of 10

The new horror thriller, Orphan can be summed up in one word… ridiculous. In all fairness to the film, I have to be honest and say that the horror genre is my least favorite, especially those featuring murderous children. I did go to the theatre with an open mind, but Orphan is an over long, tedious film with a twist that I saw coming from a mile away. That’s not to say everyone will see the twist coming, but a large portion of the audience will. The only saving grace of the film comes in the form of terrific acting by all the leads.

The film is about Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter Sarsgaard), a married couple with two children, who are devastated after the death of their unborn child. The death takes its toll on the marriage and in Kate’s despair she turns to alcohol and quickly becomes addicted. After a year spent sober, Kate and John decide to fix their fractured family by adopting a child. At the local orphanage, the pair is drawn to a seemingly angelic little girl named Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman). Feeling a connection to her, they decide to welcome her into their family and bring her home. Shortly after Esther arrives however, accidents start to happen and Kate begins to suspect that there is something seriously wrong with Esther. Kate tries to investigate the girls past and convince John that Esther is disturbed, but he basically thinks his wife is losing her mind and is completely unaware of what’s going on around him. There were a few times I wanted to step into the movie and slap him in the face. No man could possibly be this oblivious. Hell, even if I thought my wife was crazy, I’d send the kid back to the orphanage in a heartbeat, if only to alleviate the burden of my mentally instable partner in life.

The movie starts off alright, but as Esther becomes more and more calculated and evil, I found myself giggling and I’m sure that was not the intent of the filmmakers. At a certain point, all believability flies out the window and I found myself frequently checking my watch to see how much time was left. There were even a few times I asked myself why the hell I was watching this retarded movie (the simple answer is to review it). Horror movies are usually pretty stupid and I get that you are supposed to watch them for what they are, but it helps when they are actually scary. There are so many staged moments by director, Jaume Collet-Serra, that are meant to make you jump out of your seat, but not one of them delivers. I wasn’t the least bit startled or creeped out by one single moment of Orphan. In fact, the first half of Orphan plays more like a little domestic drama than a horror flick. Couple loses baby, wife turns to alcohol, she loses her job and her daughter is hurt in an accident that was caused by her drunken state. Oh yeah, and at some point John also cheated on Kate. All of this is piled on so that we understand why John wouldn’t believe anything Kate has to say about Esther, but really, when nuns go missing and your son is almost killed in a freak fire, even the biggest moron would have to think that maybe your wife might be telling the truth. I also find it hard to believe that John and Kate’s 6 year old daughter, who becomes an unwitting accomplice to Esther’s dastardly deeds, would be able to keep her adopted sister’s secrets, no matter how scared she is. My kids tattle on each other about every indiscretion, real and imaginary.

As I said earlier, the only saving grace to the film is the extraordinary acting of the main leads. Vera Farmiga as the mother desperately trying to save her family is brilliant. Even as the film becomes more and more ridiculous, Farmiga’s performance is believable. Peter Sarsgaard as husband, John, also does a fine job as the clueless dad but the real star of the film is young Isabelle Fuhrman as Esther. This kid has chops!

Whether she is called on to be angelic sweet or demonically evil, Fuhrman delivers in spades. She flawlessly changes her little miss innocent look to that of pure malevolence in the blink of an eye and may very well be the next Dakota Fanning.

To sum it up, Orphan is a tediously long, ludicrous, want to be clever horror film that is only worth watching for the strong performances of the lead actors. I shudder to think how scary Orphan would’ve been with a lesser cast.

Bill Bonfanti is FilmGo.net’s movie critic and Box office analysis. http://www.filmgo.net Every week you will find new reviews and box office predictions for the current crop of films in the theater.

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There is an existing variety in the vampire world. In the movies where the vampires are the ‘enemy’ more often than not they are dark, ugly, mindless. The best example of this can be found in the ‘Buffy and Angel’ shows, where the vampires generally don’t look their best except for the ‘good ones’ like Angel and Spike, until they get pissed off.

The stark contrast to that is the beautiful vampire, the one we desire and lust after quite readily.

These vampires are the ones belonging to Anne Rice; Lestat, Louis, Marius… she’s written them to be sensual and seductive, then there is the Twilight Sage, with young almost humanlike vampires all desperately beautiful.

Why is it that vampires seem forbidden to be ugly?

In the vampire community, it is commonly believed that there should be no ugly vampires in the world. It was phrased by the character Louis de Pointe du Lac as follows; “Do you find us beautiful, magical? Our white skin, our fierce eyes? “Drink” you ask me, do you have any idea of the thing you will become?”

The answer is; yes, they do… and here comes the small list of reasons that explain why vampires can’t be ugly.

First of, as said by a fan of the Twilight saga on a Facebook fangroup named “Because of Edward Cullen, human boys have lost their charm”; “I think every girl deserves an Edward”.

Vampires are always beautiful in the media. Why? Sex sells.

It’s a well known fact and no less true for vampires. There’s a whole range of ‘types’ too, but all have beauty in common even if there are those that would argue this.

What attracts a woman to vampires is the promise of forever; to be loved forever is every girl’s dream and a vampire very well could.

In addition, their beautiful looks add to the myth; the Twilight ‘hero’ is compared constantly to Adonis in the novel, for his appearance. In the Vampire Chronicles, Lestat sires Louis because he finds the man so beautiful he falls in love with him upon first glance.

The secret to this extreme beauty is held within the fan target reader the authors hope to reach; anyone would prefer dreaming away about the most beautiful vampire out there, who’ll love her forever and turn them immortal so that they too can be young and beautiful forever.

Let’s face it; the man with the beer gut, or the woman with the saggy breasts… they don’t speak or appeal to the mind.

Everyone’s drawn to the things that are bad, and vampires bring the term ‘bad’ to a whole new level. They’re seductive and mysterious, unreachable creatures that one just hopes they can entice with their human soul, lure them in and make them fall in love.

This image of the perfect, seductive and lethal vampire is not complete with a person that can’t bother with personal hygiene or looking good.

And there lies the answer to why the media, whether you opt for books or movies, has no ugly vampires; they must speak to the imagination and leave one dreaming of them upon finish.

Are there none out there then?

In the vampire community that exists, there’s several who aren’t necessarily the most beautiful creature ever to roam the earth, that are average and normal, but even they are inspired and transfixed upon those greatest of vampires that we love throughout the history of vampire lore. Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Buffy’s Angel, Anne Rice’s vampires, Edward Cullen… all of them hold an infinite beauty that appeals.

The perfect creatures, the ultimate temptations.

Sammael “Sam” Asael is a writer and an aspiring author of the paranormal genre. Sam is also an avid fan of various mythologies, particularly vampires and werewolves, and actively participates in the discussion and creative writing of such mythologies. Learn more about Sam’s work and join The Darkest Region today.

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An out-of-the-way diner becomes the unlikely battleground for the survival of the human race. When God loses faith in Mankind, he sends his legion of angels to bring on the Apocalypse. Humanity’s only hope lies in a group of strangers trapped in a desert diner and the Archangel Michael. This is a themed party to kick off the opening night. Come dressed as a fallen angel for prizes and movie merch. There is no cover charge, must be 18 and over to enter.

Join us at 8 PM as we celebrate the destruction of mankind at
the prohibtion room. The Prohibition Room at the Gold Dome
brings to Oklahoma City a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Darkfaery Subculture Magazine and Screen Gem Pictures
will be giving away free movie passes for a special screening,
t-shirts, posters and mini-posters so you can celebrate
the coming doom in style.
We will be giving away prizes for the best dressed angels,
so come dressed as your favorite fallen,
or be as creative as you want. There is no limit to your imagination.
Winners will appear in the next issue of DFSM. It’s free to enter, 18 and over, 21 to drink.

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By Steph Burkhart

Hunter crafts a tale full of suspense with “A Wicked Lord at the Wedding.” Baroness Eleanor Boscastle has spent three lonely years without her husband, Sebastien, while he works for British intelligence during the Napoleonic wars. To occupy her time, she’s befriended the Duchess of Wellington. The duchess’s husband has supposedly sent several sensitive letters to a few of London’s high society, and Eleanor adopts the identity of the Mayfair Masquer to get the letters back to the duchess.

Enter Sebastien. After three years apart from his wife, on military duty, Sebastien returns home, hoping to rekindle the flame of their love. His wife’s activities as the Mayfair Masquer surprises him. Realizing the danger, Sebastien joins his wife on her dangerous nocturnal jaunts. The couple soon grow close again and make love. Sebastien isn’t quite sure he’s won over his wife’s heart, however. As he delves deeper into her activities, he learns there’s a plot to harm the Duke of Wellington’s family. Sebastien knows he must expose the plot, but fears he might put Eleanor in danger. He’s caught between his duty and his love for his wife. Which one will win out in the end?

Hunter weaves a tight, suspenseful plot that will intrigue the reader. Both Sebastien and Eleanor are interesting characters, scarred by trouble childhoods. Eleanor’s father was a surgeon in the war and she grew up working alongside him. Eleanor’s not afraid to take risks.

Sebastien’s father died when he was ten, leaving him to fight and scrape for a living until he was old enough to join the military. Sebastien and Eleanor fall in love during the war. They get married, but Sebastien has been emotionally scarred by a recent battle, and makes an ass out of himself at his wedding, hence the title of the book. He goes back to the battle front, regretting his behavior.

Sebastien and Eleanor have to fight with the fiercest passion they possess to keep their love alive while separated. Their love, loss, and separation is something modern readers can identify with, especially with the recent wars. Hunter writes in the third person. The point of view narration switches within the scene without line breaks. Known as a “Lonesome Dove” perspective after the famous novel, some readers might find the shifts disconcerting.

The dialogue is sharp, moving the plot along at a brisk pace. Hunter’s love scenes are tasteful and full of passion. Overall, “A Wicked Lord at the Wedding,” is a wicked delight to read.

Book Review for: “A Wicked Lord at the Wedding”

Written by: Jillian Hunter

Ballantine Books

ISBN: 978-0-345-50394-7

347 pages

$6.99

4.5 Stars

StephB is an author who likes to read many books and a variety of different genres. StephB is an author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.

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