Inkubus Sukkubus - The Dark Godess

I have no idea how many gigs I have attended over the years, it would be safe to say that there have been just one or two. Of these there have been some that have really stuck in my memory, such as seeing the original line-up of Kiss in full make-up in 2008, or the original Spock’s Beard, or taking my daughters to their first gigs, or Iron Maiden on the Beast on the Road tour, or when I made my way to a tiny venue called the Oxford Stocks. To say that the pub was bit of a dive would be unfair to dives everywhere, but for some reason this was on the gig circuit and it was in this smelly, sweaty hole that I first came across Incubus Succubus (who later changed the spelling of their name slightly – it’s not a typo) when they support Legend. Here were two great Pagan bands, both with female singers, but at that point the similarities ended. While Legend were a classically influenced prog band, the Inky’s were far more direct with buzzsaw guitars from Tony McKormack, and Candia providing the vocals and literally bewitching the audience with her presence.

Over the years the line-up has changed, but it has always been Tony and Candia, and in latter years it has been just one other musician (in this instance Bob who provides bass) while Tony does everything else instrumentally (including drum programming) which allows Candia to concentrate on singing. Unlike other bands who play at devil worship etc, these guys are Pagans first and foremost and use their music to display their beliefs. This 2010 album is dedicated to Lilith, a Mesopotamian demon, and the artwork shows her with her symbols of power. Candia has a distinct vocal style, and while she can sing pure and clear when she wants she often leads into notes and fades away from them which gives the Inky’s a very recognisable sound. Twenty years ago I used to play quite a bit of their music, and although they may not be a full band anymore, this is very much of the same ilk. Powerful songs with more than a hint of gothic infuences, great vocals, who could wish for more?