Tonight - WHITE EMPRESS in Spring Lake Park

As usual there's a lot of updating and posting of content that needs to be done here. I should have helped spread the word about this show earlier, but if you aren't aware already, get out to Pov's 65 in Spring Lake Park tonight, Saturday, May 9, to see the one and only White Empress. This is the Twin Cities-based band led by former Cradle Of Filth guitarist Paul Allender and rounded out with an experienced group of musicians, including fantastic vocals by Mary Zimmer (ex-Luna Mortis).

Support for the show will come from We Are Legion, Faith Hills Have Eyes, and Black Box Warning. This is an 18+ show; doors open at 8:00 and tickets are only $10 at the door.

If you missed the band's debut performance in Minneapolis in October you won't want to miss tonight's show. Their first show was thrown off kilter with the drummer bailing one week before the show. This forced the band to find an LA-based drummer available immediately who was flown to the Cities for some intense rehearsals. White Empress pulled off a great, albeit shortened set under the most dire of circumstances. In this context tonight's show should be tight and polished. Tonight is also the last night of a short Midwest run before White Empress heads to Japan.

I'll have much more to post about White Empress in due course (including a ton of live photos), but for now here are a few photoshoot-style photos of the band that were shot immediately after their first performance in October. Despite the pressures of that night, the band was in high spirits and was gracious to gather around for these shots after meeting with fans.

WHITE EMPRESS To Make Live Debut in Minneapolis in Late October

Former Cradle Of Filth guitar Paul Allender has revealed exclusively to Twin Cities Metal that his new band, White Empress, will perform their first-ever concert here in Minneapolis in late October as part of a four-date Midwest mini-tour. I'm holding back the date and venue until everything is confirmed, so check back for complete details. The to-be-announced dates are intended to be small "warm-up" shows lacking full stage production (props, and the like) in preparation for more extensive touring plans that are currently in the works. White Empress canceled previous plans for their live debut on July 12 in Madison, Wisconsin.

I conducted a lengthy in-person interview with Paul last night, and we discussed details of his recent departure from Cradle Of Filth, and had an extensive conversation about the genesis and plans of White Empress. Look for publication of the full interview during the next week. I dare say that this is the most extensive interview Paul has given about both White Empress and his reasons for leaving Cradle Of Filth!

There has been a ton of activity and news regarding White Empress in the last couple of weeks, so here's a quick rundown.

Photo courtesy of the White Empress Facebook page.

There's been a change on guitars, and the complete lineup of the band is now:
Vocals: Mary Zimmer (ex-Luna Mortis)
Guitar: Paul Allender (ex-Cradle Of Filth)
Guitar: Jeremy Kohnmann (The Awakening)
Bass: Chela Harper (ex-Coal Chamber)
Keyboards: Will Graney (Damnation Angels)
Drums: Zac Morris (ex-Silent Civilian, Ugly Kid Joe)

White Empress has signed with Peaceville Records, and the debut album Rise Of The Empress will be released September 29. The official video for the first track released from the album, "Darkness Encroaching", is now available for streaming exclusively in the U.S. at Bloodly Disgusting, and at Metal Hammer for the UK and Germany. I'm not embedding the video to respect the exclusively of the video on these sites through the weekend, but here's a couple screenshots (taken from the White Empress Facebook page). Go to one of these site to watch the video!!

The band has launched a fund-raising campaign at PledgeMusic where you can buy tons of things from a digital download of the album to a signed guitar from Paul Allender. In almost no time, the band has raised 121% of their goal! Here's a video of Paul explaining the PledgeMusic campaign:

Lastly, you can still download the four-song White Empress EP for free from the band's website, or purchase higher-quality files from Amazon or iTunes.

Luna Mortis Breaks Up, Cancels Tour

Madison, Wisconsin's Luna Mortis have decided to call it a day, and have subsequently cancelled their upcoming US tour with Primal Fear. Luna Mortis was to have appeared at Station 4 in St. Paul on Sunday, May 30.

Primal Fear Concert Announcement

Way back on October 29 I reported here that Primal Fear would be coming to town. Their 2010 North American tour in support of their latest Frontiers album, 16.6 - Before The Devil Knows You're Dead, has now officially been announced. This tour includes a stop at Station 4 in St. Paul on Sunday, May 30. The only support band announced so far is Madison, Wisconsin's Century Media recording artist Luna Mortis. Check out the review and pictures of Primal Fear's show at the 2009 Minnesota MetalFest.