When I first heard about tattoo/black metal festival BlekkMetal a few weeks ago, my excitement levels went off the richter scale. It didn't take me long to get in touch with organiser and celebrated artist Jannicke Wiese-Hansen to ask for an insight into what will, undoubtedly be, one of the most significant dark cultural events… Continue reading Interview : Jannicke Wiese-Hansen Organiser Of BlekkMetal
I find it incredible how a song can turn a bad day into something really quite magnificent.That's what happened when I first encountered Swedish black metal project Fornhem. For hours I submerged myself in their deeply atmospheric sounds, uncovering layer after layer of black metal brilliance. It is with great pleasure that I present this… Continue reading Interview : Fornhem
Online gallery and concept-store Velvit is somewhere I like to spend my time. This beautiful web portal specialises in introducing its visitors to independent artists and designers working to create dark art, be it fashion, music or fine art. I spoke to Velvit's creator Jaimie Lake to gain a deeper understanding of the mission behind… Continue reading Interview : Jaimie Lake Of Velvit
The extraordinary, fantastical creations of multi-talented Swedish Craftswoman Caroline Eklund (Nymla) are inspired by legends and history, fantasy, nature and Scandinavian folklore. If I find myself under the influence of a depression, I spend a few moments browsing through her works. Her portfolio of trolls and elaborate masks, fantastical costumes and props helps to dislodge… Continue reading Interview : Nymla
Throughout my childhood, I watched my Grandmother craft embroidered works of flowered gardens and English cottages for the walls of her home. The only slightly dark work I ever saw her undertake was a pattern of two wolves for me to hang on my bedroom wall. Even then, both wolves looked calm and contemplative, not… Continue reading Interview : Adipocere Embroidery
When author Reuben Dendinger contacted me about his debut novel The Rude Adventures of Trenchfoot, I leapt at the chance of being able to review what he described as a raw, dark, weird fantasy story, weaved with magic, peril, strangeness and satire. A week or so later, I had my hands on a copy and,… Continue reading Review Of The Rude Adventures Of Trenchfoot And An Interview With The Author
I discovered Hell Couture last year, and since my first sightings of Rebecca Conrad's extreme metal inspired garments, I've been building up the courage to learn how to sew and make my own clothes. Catching sight of her Windir hooded top the other day was the good shove I needed to make a start on… Continue reading Interview : Rebecca Conrad Of Hell Couture
When I first laid eyes on the jewelry designs from LA based creative soul Kristen Phillips of Floridxfauna I screamed. Jewelry that packs such a powerful punch to the heart doesn't come around too often. I knew that I needed to have one of her pieces or...I'd die or something. (I was gifted with the… Continue reading Interview : Kristen Phillips Of FloridXFauna
One of my favourite musical discoveries of 2014 came at the closing of the year. Occult, an ambient folk duo from Sweden create music that is beautifully eerie, deeply atmospheric and intensely memorable. I have lost count of the amount of times I have listened to their debut demo Skogen. I am proud to present… Continue reading Interview : Occult
The day I encountered the writing of fashion journalist Josh Walker I nearly wept. This colourblind wordsmith shapes his experiences in the fashion world into online content that is beautiful, descriptive and deeply evocative. I never knew fashion writing could move me in such a way. As well as being a fashion writer and editor,… Continue reading Interview : Josh Walker Of Colourblind
Celebrating the strange and the shadowy, the damned and unseen 