By Keith Walsh
Rocking out across the decades, Margot Day started goth band The Plague in New York City of the 80s, then her electro goth project Metamorph. Metamorph just released an enchanting six song set, the Spellbound Empress EP, which features brilliant versions of a Siouxsie And The Banshees classic goth pop tune, “Spellbound,” as well as mixes of a new version of The Plague tune, “Empress.” There’s a cool new video, combining live performance of The Plague with new footage as well.
The opening track is an exciting electronic version of “Spellbound,” a big hit for Siouxsie And The Banshees back in the 80s. Metamorph’s version brings out the haunting elements, with guitar, bass and drum programming by Erik Gustafson (Adoration Destroyed) and Day’s bewitching vocals.There’s also an instrumental version of “Spellbound” that accentuates the atmospheric nature of the mix.
“Empress” is a brooding flex of witching power, with Day’s daughter Julifer joining on vocals. There are four mixes, including a danceable techno version from Eva X, one that leans towards industrial sounds by Caustic, and the full version of the song mixed by Adoration Destroyed, featuring an amazing flute solo from Day. There’s an instrumental version as well.
The Spellbound Empress EP was released on May 1, the pagan holiday of Beltane. In my conversations with Day, she’s revealed thoughts that counter common misconceptions about witchcraft. She told me: “With these new song spells I want to help others transform pain, sorrow, and the shadow self so we can shine love into the shadows –to be Witchlit and together illuminate the darkest corners of the planet.”
In an interview for Synthbeat, I asked Day if her message has changed over the decades. “The message has expanded since I fronted The Plague in NYC in the ‘80s,” she said. “But The Plague also revealed concepts of dark and light. Death and rebirth. Beauty in the night. We were creatures of the night – Gothlings -outside of the mainstream normality. As a witchy goth all of this is still part of the message. Metamorph expanded The Plague vision.”
Metamorph And Margot Day dot com
Beltane Info From The Boston Public Library
Margot Day “Witchlit” Interview On Synthbeat dot com