Merry Nightmare before Christmas, everyone!  Hope you’re having a spooky time with friends and family. I certainly am.

During the winter, there’s no need to trade style for warmth. Long skirts, velvety layers and tights are my favorite ways to beat the cold.

I’m wearing a Lippy Plaid Paradox halter ballgown, with d-rings and pyramid studs. I love how the back of the skirt is long and gathered.

Over the top, I’m wearing a Dark Delphina velvety jacket from a past Blacklist collection. It’s currently on sale via the Lip Service website!

I accessorized the look with silver cross and bird skull jewelry by Fashionology, and a Lady Gaga ribbon / bow hairstyle.

Have you been wearing Lip Service this winter? I hope this gives you some styling inspiration!

I can’t wait to share my new projects with you in 2011. There’s several video and TV projects to debut in January, including something with the Amazing Race Goth team, Kent and Vyxsin (who are also Lippy fans).

Stay warm and spooky!

La Carmina
More on my blog - http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/

Producer/Model/Stylist:Vanity Kills

Photography: Maura Housley

As the calendar date shifts towards the 24th of November, people across the United States are make their pilgrimages back home to reunite with their families in order to celebrate the great turkey holiday. Their thought dials are set to tune in only to feelings of intimacy, festivity, and gluttony; and they no doubt eagerly await the anticipated merriment promised with the holidays. They are completely unaware that a mutant strain of influenza type A virus subtype H3N2 has re-emerged a hemisphere away in the Australian coastal city Brisbane, similar to the incident in 2008. Unfortunately, a cargo ship loaded illegally with infected turkeys was launched for the USA three weeks prior to the holiday…

The freight ship docks in southern California on November 8th. The workers unload the turkeys as planned and transfer them rapidly to slaughter houses. The day following the allocation, the dockhands experience headaches and sore throats. The abnormally cold weather is blamed. The turkeys are redistributed into packaged goods and sent to stores and markets a few days later. Some farmhands begin to notice dark spots on their body, but no apparent pain or discomfort. Business continues as usual. The turkeys make their way to myriad sectors of the country, and on their journey the meat comes into contact with uncountable additional shipments of good. The first full blown cases of the H3N2 outbreak happen in rural, sparsely populated areas and go generally unnoticed by the populous. Several families in North Dakota are admitting to the hospital coughing up blood and bile, typically with black spots littering their skin. A man in Wyoming with similar black spots is brought to a clinic with bleeding from the eyes, mouth and anus. By the time thanksgiving arrives, it is too late to contain the tempest of disease. Families across the country lay out their meal platters and begin to feel their flesh crawl with plague. Mothers begin to rend and tear at their skin to alleviate the hellish itch. Children cough and spew blood all over the table, filling rooms with the heinous contagion. The plague’s advanced form rapidly shows the signs of a viral hemorrhagic fever and leprosy. A child’s skin hardens and he peels away at the scabs; a man drinking wine collapses into his mashed potatoes as his lungs fail. Twins are driven into a berserk state and attempt to use a carving knife to remove the other’s face. A woman feels her entrails slide out of her body in a slimy stew of bile and acrid stench. There is no escaping the pandemic, it is carried by the birds and they are flying overhead now…

Happy Thanksgiving!

BIRDEMIC

She’s draped in lace and bones and something else you can’t put your finger on. Is it the distinct scent of death? This highly fatalistic look, styled to remind us of our own mortality in these uncertain times, borrows liberally from authentic plague doctor beak-shaped protective masks while adding some fresh ingredients to the mix such as feathered posture collars. The latter serves as a tongue-in-cheek tribute to our avian friends, which might or might not eventually be responsible for our extinction. Meanwhile pink ruffles trimming the Nocturnal Rendezvous Shrug which faithfully mirror the distinct fanlike folds of intestines provide a literal take on organic fashion. Go on. Catch the twenty-first century plague with Vanity Kills.

• Historically, plague physicians were suited in head-to-toe waxed leather cloak or gown-like garments designed to protect the wearer from exposure to life-threatening germs. Completely enshrouding the body was standard practice, and in the spirit of concealment I’ve taken great care to ensure that no bare skin was left exposed by attiring myself in a posture collar (to cover my neck), black gloves (to keep my hands from coming into contact with who knows what) and a floor length skirt. Since the amorphous, tent-like silhouettes of genuine plague doctor wear are not what I consider to be very conducive to femininity, I focused on adapting other attributes of the aforementioned medieval ensembles – namely the waxen texture of the over-garments. And so I fended off contamination (while bringing it to YOU) by choosing shiny, black pieces such as the Nocturnal Rendezvous Ruffle Shrug #38-116 and an equally slick underbust corset.
• Behold the blood glistening against a medley of caged guts and snow white feathers. You don’t personify a disease without toting around an accessory that boldly proclaims “Hi there, I’m not sidestepping subtlety; I’m running it over with a bus”.
• I opted out of the traditional wide-brimmed hat in favor of “bird’s nest”-like hair, complete with a small raven surveying the terrain from amidst the chaos on my head. The partially disguised presence of an ebony plumed pestilence carrier provided the finishing touch this “pretty in plague” outfit needed.
• Dem Bones cami top #56-296 and a floral lace button down blouse boost those style antibodies.
• I have a confession to make. I wasn’t always a fan of those “super creepy plague doctor bird masks”, as previously noted in Plague Widow. Something about that long-snout, just didn’t sit right with me. Inexplicably, that same eerie sensibility that initially turned me off drew me right back in, because it’s hard to resist adornments fashioned with a poxy lady in mind.

In conclusion, let us give thanks for making it another year without being wiped out by a global pandemic.

Obligatory Disclaimer: No live poultry was “fowled”, harmed or otherwise made uncomfortable for the sake of capturing these images. Not unless you count a tacky feather boa sacrificed to the photo Gods. The swine guts were purchased at a supermarket and if I didn’t use utilize them for artsy purposes, in all likelihood they would’ve wound up as someone’s dinner. I have no qualms about “bimboing around with pig parts” (Thank you Bud Bundy for that great quote), but I’ll never go as far as retrieving them from a live pig. Even if it’s a member of the Kardashian family.

Be sure to check out 2010’s take on Thanksgiving terror here.

Credits

Photographer: Stevie Oh! Photography

Model: Vanity Kills

Location: Letchworth Village, NY

<3

Vanity Kills

[Show as slideshow]

A white wedding isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re of a Gothic disposition. Hail Satan for alternative wedding blog Rock n Roll Bride. My friend Kat Williams posts unconventional marriage photos and tips, encouraging couples to put a personal stamp on their big day.

I’m thrilled to interview her for my column in Lip Service Webzine. What are Kat’s favorite Goth weddings? How would she plan La Carmina’s? Read on and be inspired. (More photos of Kat from her photoshoots here.)

† Tell me about your site.

I started Rock n Roll Bride when I was planning my own wedding in 2007. On discovering wedding blogs, I realised there was a whole world of inspiration out there that you didn’t get in traditional magazines. I started the site as an online diary — a place to gather my thoughts and inspiration.

However after the wedding I decided I rather liked this blogging thing. Although I loved the blogs I read, none of them really posted about alternative weddings. So, in January 2009, I moved to WordPress and started blogging about other people’s weddings — the kinds I loved.

† What was your wedding like?

Contrary to popular belief, our wedding was actually quite traditional. We had a black & white theme — I wore a long white dress but I added a black sash, and my hair was my natural brown! Looks weird to see me in those photos now, it doesn’t look like me at all.

I really only found out about all the amazing alternative weddings and suppliers afterwards. I was sick of being told what our wedding should be like by the wedding industry portrayed in the magazines, and I wanted to inspire other brides (like me) who don’t realize there is another way to do it.

Of course if Gareth and I were to get married again now, our wedding would be totally different to how it was back then, but I don’t regret the way we did it.

† What’s your advice for planning a Goth wedding, and dealing with resistance from family?

I am a massive advocate for people doing what makes them happy and showcasing their personalities. Some of the weddings are simple and laid back, and others are extravagant affairs with burlesque dancers. But at the center of every wedding I feature is a couple in love – that’s the most important thing, so I guess ‘keeping it real’ would be my number one piece of advice.

I think these days, families are more open when it comes to themes — the media has shown a lot of differently styled weddings. I would say physically showing them your ideas is a better way to approach it then just explaining. When I told my Mum we were having a black and white theme she said ‘oh Kat, it’s going to look like a funeral.’ Luckily when I showed her some photos I’d found, she saw that it was anything but that!

† How would you plan La Carmina’s wedding?

I’d imagine you with a very glam wedding — I’m thinking a sexy and tight-fitting PVC dress (maybe black or deep red!) and jewellery with crosses or skulls. I love this crown by Butler and Wilson and this amazing necklace! For your flowers and centrepieces it would have to be decedent deep red or even black roses in tall candelabras, maybe dripping with crystals. Black tablecloths and glassware and candles.

Your cake would have to be a Choccywoccydoodah. They are the most amazing cakes I’ve ever seen, and even do skulls. Your location would obviously be in your favourite themed restaurant in Japan and your music would be J-rock! Doesn’t that sound like an awesome wedding?

And now, a selection of Goth weddings featured on Rock n Roll Bride. The headers link to the full posts.

Darkly dramatic Goth & rock wedding (photos by Devlin Photography)
“We were inspired by all that is dark and whimsical: a fusion of Victorian vamp, fanciful garden beauty and Old-World luxe tweaked with flavours of Rock n Roll and Carnival/Circus. Elements included mismatched French style furniture, vintage silverware abound with roses and ostrich feathers and candelabras, all in a rich palette of blood red, deep plums, black and white. I walked down the aisle to Sweet Child O Mine by Guns N Roses.”

Sleepy Hollow marriage ceremony (photos by Made U Look Photography)
“My initial inspiration was Sleepy Hollow meets a carnival meets a dark wonderland. I also wanted all the guests to wear all black. The bridesmaids’ looks are inspired by 1930s cabaret look. DIY weddings are totally worth it because it ends up really making your day.”

The Ghoulmores’ Night of the Living Wed (photos by Al Overdrive Weddings)
The colorful duo runs the horror-themed clothing company Kreepsville 666. Their ghoulish, retro-horror themed wedding took place on Friday the 13th. The cake was a skull and all the attendees took home a set of cast-silver effect fangs that said ‘fangs for coming’ [groan].

Deep Purple Wedding Gown and Ceremony (photos by Annamarie Stepney Photography assisted by Kim Hawkins)
The venue: a deconsacrated Roman Catholic Church in the centre of London. The bridesmaids wore 1950s-style swing dresses and birdcage veils. The cocktails followed the theme: Black Russians, Raspberry mohitos and passionfruit bellinis.

Fabulously theatrical Gothic ceremony (photos by Toast of Leeds)
“We got prices from Kirkstall Abbey (ludicrously cheap to hire) and the whole thing grew arms and legs all by itself. The lights, fog, music, shrubbery… we had an insanely theatrical wedding with a rock music soundtrack to boot.”

Mad Alice in Wonderland wedding (photos by Freyja Photography)
“It was like gothic Alice in Wonderland meets Avatar. The reception areas were filled with the giant mushrooms and flowers and you felt so tiny when you entered the room. For the party I asked for an old-queen crown, like Count Dracula era. I love vampires.”

Tim Burton Wedding (photos by D Park Photography)
“We were inspired by a visit to Disneyland’s holiday-decorated Haunted Mansion. After looking more at the work of Tim Burton, we decided we wouldn’t limit ourselves to just one of his movies but try to select something from all of them. The purpose wasn’t to be creepy and eerie but to help describe us (like many of his characters) as off-center.”

Burlesque Gothic reception (photos by Eden Exposed)
“The theme for the wedding really revolved around my dress, which was designed and handmade by the amazingly talented Kim Denman. 1950′s underwear themed colour scheme of dusty pink and black, with plenty of feathers, beads, and netting thrown in. Oh, and a massive stuffed pink bow on the back!”

For more corpse brides, you can revisit my Gothic Lolita Weddings post on my La Carmina blog.

† Dark Wishes †

LA CARMINA

The Devil Inside:
Thursday, November 3. 2011 12:00 p.m… It’s storming outside.. I think I’ll call…

MICHAEL BERRYMAN

Michael John Berryman was born in L.A. California. Prior to acting and playing the menace in countless horror and sci-fi groovie movies and television, M.B. worked in the floral profession. Did I just write that correctly?

M.J.B. is probably best known for his role as Pluto in Wes Craven’s 1977 horror film The Hills Have Eyes and the 1985 sequel The Hills Have Eyes II. He appeared in the Academy Award-winning drama One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975 (!!!!). He has also made appearances in the Sci-Fi movies My Science Project, Weird Science, Armed Response, Evil Spirits and The Guyver. (I remember him in an X-Files episode too.) In 2005, he starred in Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects and is currently doing Rob’s upcoming horror film The Lords of Salem. A coven of ancient witches will be paying a visit to the town of Salem, Massachusetts. (I love them already). A local DJ plays a cursed record and unwittingly unleashes a coven of 300-year old witches who were secretly imprisoned and tortured during the Salem Witch Trails. The Lords Of Salem is the third film from Haunted Films, the first two being Paranormal Activity and Insidious.

I also wanna talk about Michael’s roll as Gunnar in Justin Thomas Ostensen’s BELOW ZERO. I’m gonna givin’ him a ringy ding to see what’ shakin’. Penned by Signe Olynyk, Below Zero is the true-life story of Jack the Hack, a screenwriter with writer’s block who arranges to have himself locked in a meat cooler in order to meet a looming deadline. (Still ringing…) As the temperature drops, the lines between reality and fiction blur, and Jack’s story comes to life, exposing him to a world of horror that only a meat freezer can inspire.

M.B. Hello, Chad!

C.C. Hiya M.B.!!!

C.C. Hey Michael. First off, I wanna let the people know that you’ve been scaring the shit out of audiences for over 35 years, playing terrifying roles in horror and sci-fi cinema. Although, in reality you are a very sweet human being… And there’s no getting around it… You are actually a nice guy Michael. Sorry to blow your cover man.

M.B. Oh, gee. I agree with you. I’m very human each day and I think it’s something we should all strive for. I think it’s important. And thank you by the way.

C.C. I live by love and respect man.

M.B. I agree!

C.C. Let’s talk about the film you recently did in Canada called BELOW ZERO.

M.B. Well, I star in it with Edward Furlong and Kristin Booth and it’s a beautiful psychological thriller and I think we shot it in like 15 days, it was amazing. We threw ourselves into it and between the camera choices, the music and the art department it was wonderful. Eddie plays a screen writer that has writers block and his agent says “I’m gonna have you shipped off to the woods, your gonna be locked in a meat locker in a slaughter house and you can’t come out for 5 day until you have a finished manuscript other wise you won’t have an agent any more.” That’s kinda the premise, then things start to happen and you start to wonder “Is he losing his mind or is this what he’s writing?” Hmmmm? I’ve seen the movie a bunch of times and it was really well received at the Calvary Film Festival and at the Austin Film Festival most recently and right now it’s being pitched to the film market in Santa Monica. I love the independent film family.
This one is my best to date. I’m very proud of the roll. So have your fans go check it. It’s really a great movie and ya know what, you can watch it over and over and get something more out of it.

C.C. It was gonna be in 3D right?

M.B. They were thinking of 3D but the performances were so strong and the camera work was so well done that 3D would of been a distraction.

C.C. To me, that’s good news.

M.B. I’m not a big fan of 3D actually. I’ve never seen it really work properly. I did appreciate it as a kid seeing Jason and the Argonauts. That worked for me but at the end of the day if I was a producer or a director I wouldn’t waste my money on it.

C.C. Agreed.

C.C. You are working on a twisted witch movie called The Lords Of Salem as we speak. I’m sure you are under contract to not say much as of yet but can ya tell us a little bit about the character Virgil Magnus that you’re playing?

M.B. Well contractually I’m very limited of what I can speak of, I signed on the dotted line. I can say that I’m working with my good friends Rob and Sheri.. The Zombies. They’re very sweet people. Ken Foree is on board! My scenes are with my good friend Bill Moseley and we’re in the opening scene with a lil’ bit of the back story and I can’t say too much but it’s about the Salem witch trials and we get constricted with some trouble haha!

C.C. Don’t say any more! We won’t spoil any goods. I just wanted to talk about the utmost recent thing you’re doin’ and where you’re at right now.

M.B. I don’t even know what the rest of the story is. I don’t have the complete script haha.

C.C.  The Lords Of Salem will quite possibly be one of Rob Zombie’s darkest films. You must be thrilled.

M.B. I like working with Rob, his productions go very smooth, all his people he has on board are very gracious and professional. You’re in good company with Rob. I haven’t read to much about it, I like to come on board to a project and then focus on what my director needs.

C.C. And all of you guys get along really well.

M.B. We do. We are all friends and family. We do conventions together, we travel together, we’ve been friends for decades. I’ve been friends with Rob for about 5 years now and Bill Moseley, Ken Foree, Sid Haig and Kane Hodder and the rest are one big happy family. Kinda nice.

C.C. You guys are like the horror brat pack.

M.B. You’re right actually. That’s a great idea. I’ve been in discussions with my manager about me possibly hosting a t.v. series. The beauty of me doing film ya know, unless you are a young model or something, as a character actor I can play any role I want and if I get older that’s ok! I’m so glad I’m not a glamour boy cuz then I’d be beyond my glamour years.. And then I couldn’t get a job hahaha!

C.C. Works out perfecto!

C.C. On that note… Michael, how do ya turn from “professional floral man” to a “dangerous, maniacal, creepy, killer guy?”

M.B. Oh that’s a great question. Well I was never a florist, In high shool I was a flower delivery guy but however, I had a shop in Venice Beach and I was discovered by George Pal there. I wasn’t a florist but what I had was a shop called Avendas Gardens with a business partner and we had house plants and the local artist would put in their sculpture or their paintings, lots of local art stuff ya know. It was just a small, little store I had for about 8 months, didn’t make any money but it did put me in a location across the street from a store that sells very high end inequities to millionaires.

One of the owners’ fathers happened to be George Pal from Warner Brothers, the original producer of War of the Worlds, The Time Machine and Journey to the Center of the Earth. When I met George he said to me “ya know you have a unique look” and he was very gracious and he said “Look, I’m doin’ a movie called Doc Savage” and I was like ” I have those books!” and he says ” I’d like to hire you for two days to be the corner for Doc Savage’s father, here’s the scene and would you be interested please.” I said “Sure. Sounds like fun.” He got me my union card and I wound up having a couple 100 bucks in my pocket after it was done, worked for two days. And I was planning on being a feature photographer either in the northwest territory Yukon or Alaska because I’m a huge fan of the nature. It’s the most beautiful planet we’ll ever experience and we need to keep it genetically altered free if possible.

C.C. Indeed. I’ve wrote music with a gentleman you that you starred in a video with. So, I finally get to ask somebody the question that’s asked to me in every interview I do. What was it like working with Nikki Sixx haha? Smokin’ in the Boys Room haha.. You know I have to bring music into everything.

M.B. Those guys. The Crue are my buddies! They are so down to earth, so honest, so gracious. I didn’t know how it was gonna go on “Smokin’ in the Boys Room.” I’ve been around a lot of people in the rock industry before and some are like Ehhhhh, but with them, right from the get go it was honest, sincere, smiles, “hang with us back stage” here and we misbehaved a lil’ bit there and they were just cool guys and we had a lot of fun. And then at the end of the video when I wiggled my ears they loved it.

It was the most requested video on MTV for a long, long time. And when they cut the ear wiggle out after about a year of it being on MTV people complained so much and wrote all these letters that some body had to go to work and put the 4 seconds of ear wiggle back in the video. And I didn’t know if this was really true, I thought they were pulling my leg. Well one day I had to do some ADR voice over work on a movies called Penny Dreadful and while the guy was setting it up he said ” Hey I used to work for MTV and one morning I had to go to work and on my page it said I had to put back in Michael Berryman’s ear removal from Motley Crue’s Smoking in the Boys Room video…. 4 seconds.” Hahaha! I’m very proud of that Haha! Send the boys my regards. Wonderful guys.

C.C. Your top 3 favorite movies that might inspire you to be a creep in a flick? Who or what movie monster can scare Michael Berryman?

M.B. Well, I would have to say I really like Frankenstein and the Universal Classics, but the one that freaked me out the most is probably The Mummy.

C.C Boris!

M.B. Oh ya. Frankenstein was a sympathetic character. The Wolfman.. Well, I just wanted to BE a werewolf. But The Mummy was really creepy.. And when they would burn the scroll leaves, it just creeped me out. And then when I go older The Exorcist really messed with me. As a matter of fact I’m not ashamed to admit that after I saw the Exorcist (I forget how old I was I might of been 15 or maybe 16) I got on my knees to make sure it had more effect and said my prayers. I’m an ex alter boy, ex Catholic. It really had an effect on me. And the third one I’d have to say… Fox News.

C.C. I gotta wrap this up here. I thank you for your time Michael. I’m always excited to see ya on the silver screen and I wish you the best of luck for the rest of the shoot on The Lords Of Salem. You will no doubt make this flick excellent my friend.

M.B. Well thank you, I appreciate that. You’re a sharp guy and obviously a force to be. I salute you. And drop by my facebook BELOW ZERO sign on as a friend and say that ya wanna see this movie haha! I’m really, really proud of it. I think Eddie, Kristin and I knocked it out of the park. The performances are strong and it’s so well made, it’s just like wow! belowzeromovie.com

Michael and I rapped for quite awhile about the renaissance of 60′s and 70′s music that still holds strong today, how original music rules and formulated bands can be compared to fast food that will make you “artistically diabetic” (Brilliant quote by the way Michael!) Aurthor Lee of LOVE, folk rock, his sister being a mid-wife for John Densmore of The Doors, hanging with Joni Mitchell at The Troubadour, meeting George Harrison, Herb Alfred, Aaron Neville, That 70′s Show, Betty White, Corporate Doom, Satan’s Evil Spawn, our future for our children and our children’s-children, slaves to power and greed, figuring out heaven on earth, humanity, war, protesting and surviving, science, physics and chemistry, Thomas Edison’s lab assistant PHD Professor Mr. Kent, not turning planet earth into a toilet, HG.Wells, Marshall Mcluhan, the powerful influences of technology, gardening, standards, misuse of knowledge, fast food, life styles, Lou Ferrigno, The Devil Rejects, Matthew McGrory and Tiny, Drag Racing, health care, the back of M.J.B.’s Hard Rock Cafe jacket saying “Love All, Serve All, All is One.” blind faith, dead beat reality shows, writing books and Mick Mars. Good times.

Hey, It stopped storming out. That’s too bad.. I like watching the lightning strike the graveyard from Castle Cherry. (Makes for disconnected phone calls with Michael Berryman though..) Sooooooooo, I have noticed some of you are looking quite shabby. Stop that. Get some Lip Service clothes. Turn yer “shab into fab” bitches. Or I will fucking gut you like a fish and cut your eye lids in half… Whoa, whoa, whoa!!! Hahaha, I’m just kidding… I’ve just been spending too much time with Roger Labon Jackson.. He’s the real voice of Ghostface… And Mojo JoJo.. Don’t ask… Just get some Lip Service…. Clothing.

Also check out Berryman’s work.
He’s done a few movies if ya haven’t noticed. And I’m sure I’m forgetting some of them too! Michael say’s: “Love All, Serve All, All is One.” What a great guy!

[Show as slideshow]

Thanksgiving: A holiday about family, appreciating what you have, and sharing with others, including strangers. Pilgrims stealing land, pillaging and raping came earlier. How dare they burn my witches!!!!
XOXO
CHAD CHERRY
www.thelastvegas.com

What are the elements for the perfect Halloween party? Well, we have the group of awesome friends, the creative costumes, and the date and venue. Since the weather’s warming up over here, we fired up the BBQ. Tarah, the gracious host, cooked a feast of Halloween goodies – bat and coffin cakes, devilishly dark chocolate brownies, and severed finger biscuits.

This year I went as Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile. My dress is vintage, with a cincher belt from an outlet mall. My cartouche necklace come from Egypt, and spells my name, with a depiction of the goddess Ma’at on the back.

Tarah, the host of the party, looking stunning as a vampire nun.

Kelli (left) and Amy (right) as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett. These two are studying costume design and made everything themselves (including the pies. One even has a finger poking out).

Tim, as Getafix.

Jaimee, looking stunning in her Dia de los Muertos makeup.

And, probably the best costumes of the evening, two friends showed up dressed as two other friends. Here’s two Johnowars:

And two Tarah’s.

Metal was played, silliness and singalongs abounded, pies were consumed, rakishly handsome men disappeared in the night. The perfect Halloween party – heavy metal style.

Halloween used to be a sacred time of year – a time of rebirth, of worship and celebration for the death, a time when magic is profoundly, wonderfully real. I love that in the 21st century we’ve modernized these ideas and created our own rituals. There’s always a little bit of magic in the air on Halloween, don’t you agree?

Who am I? I’m Steff. Born in New Zealand, raised on a steady diet of metal and out-of-print archaeology books, I’m now a freelance writer, accessible formats producer, and full-time iron maiden.

You can keep up to date with all the metal madness at my Steff Metal blog. I update 4 times a week with reviews, articles, advice and silliness about living the metal lifestyle. And, for alternative biz owners, I run a creative business community for the dark side at Grymm & Epic.

Keep it brutal \m/