Unto Ashes

Gothic: adj.

2. Of or relating to the Middle Ages; medieval.
3. a. Of or relating to an architectural style prevalent in western Europe from the 12th through the 15th century and characterized by pointed arches, rib vaulting, and a developing emphasis on verticality and the impression of height.
4. Of or relating to painting, sculpture, or other art forms prevalent in northern Europe from the 12th through the 15th century.
5. Of or relating to a style of fiction that emphasizes the grotesque, mysterious, and desolate.

The Free Dictionary

In many ways, the music of Unto Ashes embodies the concept of "gothic" more fully than typical goth bands like The Cure, Bauhaus, or The Sisters of Mercy. Founded, produced, and largely performed by Maichael Laird, Unto Ashes eschews the harsh, thundering darkness that can be summoned by electric guitars and basses. Instead, a medieval atmosphere is created with the use of 13^th and 14^th century instrumentation (such as dulcimers and bells) and writings. While relatively known for their cover of Don't Fear the Reaper, this band can also do justice to Petrarch and traditional songs. Even when Unto Ashes veers into more modern fare, there is still an expansive, soaring quality that is evocative of gothic architecture. Laird is not alone in this project: nearly a dozen artists lend vocal and instrument-playing talent.

Currently their website features two full-length mp3s that showcase the band:

"Fly on the Windscreen" (Depeche Mode cover) off the forthcoming album The Blood of My Lady:


"Emptiness" from Grave Blessings (2005):


Throughout their career, Unto Ashes has been handled by Projekt, Records and are easily available online.

Single Gun Theory

Canada's Nettwerk label is fairly notable for releasing and managing some strong female vocalists. Sarah McLachlan, Avril Lavigne and Leigh Nash of Sixpense None the Richer have all called Nettwerk home at one time or another. But as far as purity of vocals goes, Jacqui Hunt of Single Gun Theory has them all beat. The Australian trio released three albums between 1987 and 1994 featuring Hunt on vocals with Pete Rivett-Carnac and Kath Power on samplers and keyboards. In style, Single Gun Theory combines the electronic beats of dance music with nuances of Indian and Middle Eastern music and ethereal vocals.



The band also scored the 2000 film, The Monkey's Mask before the members went their separate ways. The three albums Exorcise This Wasteland, Like Stars in My Hands, and Flow, River of My Soul are out of print, but available from Amazon.com as digital downloads.

Abney Park

Steampunk. That is the genre name that Abney Park prefers these days. A label usually reserved for steam engine era "future" technology, it fits Abney Park's mixture of industrial dance beats and turn-of-the-previous-century orchestral instrumentation. With a bit of 90s goth and world music influences thrown in for good measure. What might end up being an unfocused mess in the hands of lesser musicians is held together perfectly by Robert Brown's vocal and the rest of the "crew." Though they've been around for a decade (and are probably not-so-obscure in some circles), Abney Park continues to become solid contiguous whole.

Abney Park offers quite a few songs for free via their Vault.

From their 2000 release Cemetery Number 1, this is "The Wake":


This year's "Airship Pirate" off of Lost Horizons:


And, better than anything you'll hear at the mall this month, "Little Drummer Boy" from Dark Christmass:


Four of Abney Park's albums are currently available from Amazon.com in both CD and digital form and in CD form off their website. Cemetery Number 1, Twisted & Broken (a remix album) and Dark Christmass are available through Vault access. I've purchased Vault access in the past and have found the band to be great to do business with.

Update (before I even post):
Dark Christmass is being offered for a limited time as a separate download!