01. Bathory
02. Let The Night Last Forever
03. Angelus Mortis
04. Nature Child
05. Dancing The Night Away
06. Here Come The Dead
07. Angel Of Lust
08. In The Darkness And The Rain
09. Wolf Boy
10. Vampire Queen
07. Angel Of Lust
08. In The Darkness And The Rain
09. Wolf Boy
10. Vampire Queen
Vampire Queen is the 20th album from the Gloucestershire based Goths Inkubus Sukkubus, and after the acoustic affair of their previous outing, Belas Knap, the band is back to the electric Gothic Rock music they're best known for.
I've been listening to the band for a number of years, and they have their own sound and generally stick to it. They're not big risk takers musically, but in fairness, they know what their fans like, and give them what they want. I can't see them moving towards a more Metal, or Industrial style anytime soon. In a way, they're like the AC/DC of the Goth scene.
The album opens up with the instrumental track Bathory, which sets the scene with its haunting keyboards, and is followed by the upbeat Let The Night Last Forever, which is a straight-up Gothic Rock track, the kind that Inkubus Sukkubus do so well.
Lead singer Candia McKormack's voice is instantly recognisable and, as with all of their records, adds a magical element to the music, giving even the most guitar driven, heavier tracks an ethereal quality.
Vampire Queen has a wealth of lively Gothic Rockers, all with driving guitar riffs linked with atmospheric lead guitar licks and keyboard parts, such as on tracks like Angelus Mortis and the instantly catchy Angel of Lust. Nature Child is another stand-out track with its infectious chorus, elevated by some quality lead guitar work from Tony McKormack that entwines nicely with the vocal line.
Inkubus Sukkubus are also known for their acoustic folk side, and this style is represented in the songs Dancing the Night Away and Wolf Boy, both of which are beautifully performed and are a nice contrast to the electric tracks.
I've been listening to the band for a number of years, and they have their own sound and generally stick to it. They're not big risk takers musically, but in fairness, they know what their fans like, and give them what they want. I can't see them moving towards a more Metal, or Industrial style anytime soon. In a way, they're like the AC/DC of the Goth scene.
The album opens up with the instrumental track Bathory, which sets the scene with its haunting keyboards, and is followed by the upbeat Let The Night Last Forever, which is a straight-up Gothic Rock track, the kind that Inkubus Sukkubus do so well.
Lead singer Candia McKormack's voice is instantly recognisable and, as with all of their records, adds a magical element to the music, giving even the most guitar driven, heavier tracks an ethereal quality.
Vampire Queen has a wealth of lively Gothic Rockers, all with driving guitar riffs linked with atmospheric lead guitar licks and keyboard parts, such as on tracks like Angelus Mortis and the instantly catchy Angel of Lust. Nature Child is another stand-out track with its infectious chorus, elevated by some quality lead guitar work from Tony McKormack that entwines nicely with the vocal line.
Inkubus Sukkubus are also known for their acoustic folk side, and this style is represented in the songs Dancing the Night Away and Wolf Boy, both of which are beautifully performed and are a nice contrast to the electric tracks.
Vampire Queen is another success for Inkubus Sukkubus. I wouldn't say it's their strongest record, but it's undeniably solid. Fans of the band know what to expect, and this album certainly delivers. My only real 'niggle' is that I'd love for them to make a record on a bigger budget, with a real drummer and orchestra, instead of a drum machine and strings that are clearly electronic. If they had the same production values of a band like HIM, Paradise Lost, or The Mission, Inkubus Sukkubus could quite easily produce an incredible, world dominating Goth album, instead of one that is 'just' very good. Regardless, Vampire Queen is definitely worth checking out.
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