Spotlight on Pagan Music

A weekly feature highlighting the best music from Pagan, Pagan – influenced, and occult artists. You can hear many of these artists on my weekly radio show and podcast, or you can check out the annual “Darker Shade of Pagan” music special available for download online.

SOULSCAPE

Soulscape, photo by Andrew Reynolds

Band Bio:
Begun in 2002 as a creative studio project, founder members Mel Draper and Dan Precision integrated raw punk guitars with melancholy vocals and crisp programming to deliver a powerfully atmospheric sound reminiscent of such artists as Fields of the Nephilim, Depeche Mode, Killing Joke. Drawing on many years of musical experience between them, and blending a diverse array of influences that ranged from gothic rock and post-punk to synth-pop and world music.

Soulscape web site.
Soulscape MySpace page.

Song download:
“Dreamfree” (Mp3 file)
“The Crossing” (Mp3 file)
“Rise Again” (Mp3 file)

Soulscape’s song “Wyrd Sisters” appears on the 5th annual “Darker Shade of Pagan” special available for download, here.

Reviews:
“All the finest elements of moody, powerful, anthem-reaching gothic rock are here on Grave New World. Moody electronic trance-like openings that spread into wall of sound post-punk drums and well laced bass and guitar working together to support a strong voice with dark lyrics and creepy innuendos.” – Legends Magazine

“Anchored with heart felt, emotional lyrics and propelled by grand rock anthem like melodies along with dance friendly beats, Chicago’s Soulscape may have found a combination for success in this somewhat fickle scene. With their lead vocalist no stranger to club nights, this marriage between old school goth rock and new dance/electronica (via the new wave influences of the ’80s), attempts to give patrons the best of both.” – Starvox

“Lyrically this is heady stuff, less melancholic than triumphant, with “First Blood” and “Rise Again” being particularly good anthems to raise your fishnet-clad fist to. Occult themes from Norse runes to Qabbalah abound, and “The Crossing” succeeds where the Cruxshadows fail by turning space alien mysticism into accessible pop music.” – Grave Concerns E-Zine

My Two Cents:
If you like your goth music tinged with occult, paranormal, and Pagan sensibilities then Soulscape is your band. Originally from the UK but relocated to Chicago, the band melds the best elements of gothic rock, synth-pop, and a touch of world music. Lead singer Mel Draper can sing about topics as diverse as the lost planet of Nibiru, or the goddesses of fate in a fashion that is earnest without seeming cheesy or trite. A band with a lot of talent, and one worth watching as they progress.

Further Reading:
Interview with Soulscape.

Tags: Paganism