Inkubus Sukkubus
Encyclopedia
Inkubus Sukkubus are a British
goth
and pagan
band formed in 1989 by Candia Ridley, Tony McKormack, and Adam Henderson.
goth
and pagan
band who have been releasing albums and touring since their formation as Incubus Succubus in 1989.
band Screaming Dead
from 1980 to 1985. McKormack, Candia Ridley (vocals) and Adam Henderson (bass) then formed a band called Belas Knapp, which they shortly changed to Incubus Succubus. From the outset the band had a very strong neo-pagan orientation. The first single, "Beltaine", and a matching EP, were recorded in 1989, as was the original version of the first album, "Belladonna And Aconite". The line-up listed on the sleeve of the 7" Beltaine single is: Candia - Vocals, Tony McKormack - Guitars/Vocals, Adam Henderson - Bass, Jamie Gardner - Keyboards, Bob Gardener - Drums. However when the first pressing of the EP came back warped, several members left the band.
In late 1993 Inkubus Sukkubus re-formed with Bob Gardner on drums and Graeme Fletcher on Bass guitar, signed to Pagan Media, released the full-length version of "Belladona and Aconite", and in 1994 recorded and released "Wytches". Wytches subsequently became known as "the legendary second album", as it both contains what many fans regard as some of the band's finest work, and (due to issues with Pagan Media), rapidly became almost impossible to obtain.
Even rarer is a flexi-disc that was given away free on the cover of Aisling, a Druid magazine edited (and largely written) by Steve Wilson, for issue 8, which was to be the last edition. Only 200 were pressed, and soon flexi-discs were to disappear as magazine give-aways, replaced by cover CDs.
In 1995 they changed their name to Inkubus Sukkubus, citing numerological reasons
, and changed their line-up significantly, adopting the use of a drum machine with some additional support by a bodhran
instead of a dedicated human drummer, with Adam Henderson moving back to bass.
The group surfaced into the mainstream several times (with the song Beltaine receiving Radio 1
airtime and with several TV appearances under their belt, mainly in the mid-nineties). This is despite their lyrical themes and beliefs: Inkubus Sukkubus are a neopagan band, known for songs about demon
s, vampire
s, faeries and other occult and supernatural themes. Their songs are largely inspired by their interest in and practice of witchcraft
and paganism, which has gained them a certain notoriety and underground status as being the "voice of modern-day paganism".
They were due to play a gig in Mexico City on Beltane (May 1) 2009. When it was cancelled due to the outbreak of Swine Flu, the band received national media exposure, particularly through The Sun newspaper.
In 2010 their song Vampyre Erotica
was featured in the soundtrack to the British cult comedy vampire film The Vampires of Bloody Island
. The film also features five other songs by Tony McKormack's earlier band Vampire Division, including the film's title track "Place of the Dead".
to fill their percussion section.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
goth
Gothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
and pagan
Pagan rock
Pagan rock is music created by adherents of one of the many Neopagan and occult traditions that emerged in the middle to late 20th century. In some cases this definition is stretched to include bands embraced by modern Pagans and occult practitioners...
band formed in 1989 by Candia Ridley, Tony McKormack, and Adam Henderson.
History
Inkubus Sukkubus are a BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
goth
Gothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
and pagan
Pagan rock
Pagan rock is music created by adherents of one of the many Neopagan and occult traditions that emerged in the middle to late 20th century. In some cases this definition is stretched to include bands embraced by modern Pagans and occult practitioners...
band who have been releasing albums and touring since their formation as Incubus Succubus in 1989.
Incubus Succubus
Before forming Incubus Succubus, Tony McKormack (guitar) was in the horror punkHorror punk
Horror punk is a music genre that mixes Gothic and punk rock sounds with morbid imagery and lyrics, which are often influenced by horror films...
band Screaming Dead
Screaming Dead
Screaming Dead were a positive punk band from Cheltenham formed in 1980, who have often been characterized as "horror punk". They released several singles and EPs with indie chart success, before splitting up in 1985...
from 1980 to 1985. McKormack, Candia Ridley (vocals) and Adam Henderson (bass) then formed a band called Belas Knapp, which they shortly changed to Incubus Succubus. From the outset the band had a very strong neo-pagan orientation. The first single, "Beltaine", and a matching EP, were recorded in 1989, as was the original version of the first album, "Belladonna And Aconite". The line-up listed on the sleeve of the 7" Beltaine single is: Candia - Vocals, Tony McKormack - Guitars/Vocals, Adam Henderson - Bass, Jamie Gardner - Keyboards, Bob Gardener - Drums. However when the first pressing of the EP came back warped, several members left the band.
Children Of The Moon
Tony and Candia continued alone as a studio project, Children Of The Moon, until 1993. The material recorded during this time (including early versions of tracks that would become Inkubus Sukkubus classics) was eventually released as the album "Beltaine".In late 1993 Inkubus Sukkubus re-formed with Bob Gardner on drums and Graeme Fletcher on Bass guitar, signed to Pagan Media, released the full-length version of "Belladona and Aconite", and in 1994 recorded and released "Wytches". Wytches subsequently became known as "the legendary second album", as it both contains what many fans regard as some of the band's finest work, and (due to issues with Pagan Media), rapidly became almost impossible to obtain.
Even rarer is a flexi-disc that was given away free on the cover of Aisling, a Druid magazine edited (and largely written) by Steve Wilson, for issue 8, which was to be the last edition. Only 200 were pressed, and soon flexi-discs were to disappear as magazine give-aways, replaced by cover CDs.
Inkubus Sukkubus
In 1995 they changed their name to Inkubus Sukkubus, citing numerological reasons
Numerology
Numerology is any study of the purported mystical relationship between a count or measurement and life. It has many systems and traditions and beliefs...
, and changed their line-up significantly, adopting the use of a drum machine with some additional support by a bodhran
Bodhrán
The bodhrán is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65 cm in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45 cm . The sides of the drum are 9 to 20 cm deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side...
instead of a dedicated human drummer, with Adam Henderson moving back to bass.
The group surfaced into the mainstream several times (with the song Beltaine receiving Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
airtime and with several TV appearances under their belt, mainly in the mid-nineties). This is despite their lyrical themes and beliefs: Inkubus Sukkubus are a neopagan band, known for songs about demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
s, vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
s, faeries and other occult and supernatural themes. Their songs are largely inspired by their interest in and practice of witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
and paganism, which has gained them a certain notoriety and underground status as being the "voice of modern-day paganism".
They were due to play a gig in Mexico City on Beltane (May 1) 2009. When it was cancelled due to the outbreak of Swine Flu, the band received national media exposure, particularly through The Sun newspaper.
In 2010 their song Vampyre Erotica
Vampyre Erotica
Vampyre Erotica is the fifth album by British Goth rockers Inkubus Sukkubus, their fourth full-length studio album. It contains 12 original songs and a cover of "Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones....
was featured in the soundtrack to the British cult comedy vampire film The Vampires of Bloody Island
The Vampires of Bloody Island
The Vampires of Bloody Island is a 2009 British comedy horror film directed by Allin Kempthorne and starring his wife Pamela Kempthorne who had previously appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Shaun of the Dead. The film also starred Oliver Gray, John Snelling and Leon Hamilton....
. The film also features five other songs by Tony McKormack's earlier band Vampire Division, including the film's title track "Place of the Dead".
Membership
The group currently consists of guitarist Tony McKormack, vocalist Candia, and bassist Bob Gardener who originally played drums in the band and returned in early 2010 to replace Adam Henderson. The band employs a drum machineDrum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
to fill their percussion section.
- Candia: Vocals, Lyrics (ContraltoContraltoContralto is the deepest female classical singing voice, with the lowest tessitura, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. It typically ranges between the F below middle C to the second G above middle C , although at the extremes some voices can reach the E below middle C or the second B above...
) - Tony McKormack: Guitar, Production, Songwriting, some Vocals (Ex-Screaming DeadScreaming DeadScreaming Dead were a positive punk band from Cheltenham formed in 1980, who have often been characterized as "horror punk". They released several singles and EPs with indie chart success, before splitting up in 1985...
, Also in Vampire Division) - Bob Gardener: Bass
Discography
- 1989: BeltaineBeltaine (single)Beltaine was the début single from long-running British Gothic / Pagan Rock band Inkubus Sukkubus.It was released on 7" vinyl in 1989.-Track listing:Side A: Beltaine Side B: Trinity Band line-up at time of release:...
- Single - 1993: Belladonna & AconiteBelladonna & AconiteBelladonna & Aconite is the first album from British goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus. It was released in October 1993.-Track listing:All songs by Candia Ridley and Tony McKormack.# "Beltaine" – 4:28# "Midnight Queen" – 5:30# "Trinity" – 3:36...
- 1994: WytchesWytchesWytches is the second album by British Goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus.-Track listing:# "Wytches"# "Queen of the May"# "Pagan Born"# "Gypsy Lament"# "Leveller"# "Call Out My Name"# "Conquistadors"# "Burning Times"# "Song to Pan"# "Enchantment"...
- 1995: Heartbeat of the EarthHeartbeat of the EarthHeartbeat of the Earth is the third studio album by British Goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus.-Track listing:All songs written by Candia Ridley and Tony McKormack, except where noted.#"Heartbeat of the Earth" – 5:13#"Young Lovers" – 6:40...
- 1996: BeltaineBeltaine (album)Beltaine is the fourth album by Goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus. It is named after the celtic festival Beltane.-Track listing:# "Beltaine"# "Wytches I"# "Pagan Born"# "Song to Pan"# "Goblin Jig"# "Midnight Queen"# "Trinity"# "I Am the One"...
- 1997: Vampyre EroticaVampyre EroticaVampyre Erotica is the fifth album by British Goth rockers Inkubus Sukkubus, their fourth full-length studio album. It contains 12 original songs and a cover of "Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones....
- 1998: Away with the FaeriesAway with the FaeriesAway with the Faeries is a compilation comprising five previously unreleased songs and ten live recordings, released by British goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus...
- 1999: WildWild (album)Wild is the fifth full-length studio album by British Pagan rock band Inkubus Sukkubus."Death & The Virgin" is a hidden track that plays about 2 minutes after "Delilah" finishes...
- 2001: SupernatureSupernature (Inkubus Sukkubus album)Supernature is the sixth full-length studio album by British Pagan rock band Inkubus Sukkubus. It contains eleven original tracks and a reworked cover of "Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves" by Cher.-Track listing:# "Supernature" – 5:40# "Lucifer Rising" – 4:43...
- 2003: The Beast with Two BacksThe Beast with Two BacksThe Beast with Two Backs is the seventh full-length studio album by British goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus. It contains 12 original tracks and a cover of 'Can't Get You out of My Head' by Kylie Minogue with altered lyrics that more appropriately reflect the band's aesthetics...
- 2004: Wytches and VampyresWytches and VampyresWytches and Vampyres is a best-of compilation released by British goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus.-Track listing:All tracks written by Tony McKormack unless stated# "Heartbeat of the Earth" - 5:16# "Take My Hunger" - 5:46...
: The Best Of (a "Greatest Hits" compilation released by US record label Cleopatra RecordsCleopatra RecordsCleopatra Records is a Los Angeles-based independent record label.- History :Founded in 1992 by Brian Perera, it specializes in gothic rock, hard rock, heavy metal and reissues of out-of-print music...
) - 2005: Witch QueenWitch QueenWitch Queen is mini album/EP by the British goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus, released in November 2005 as a limited edition, and made re-available in 2007.-Track listing:1. "Witch Queen"2. "Intraveneous"3. "All Hallow's Eve4. "Lady Geneva"5. "Crush"...
(EP) - 2007: Science & NatureScience and NatureScience & Nature is a full-length album released by the British Goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus on September 24, 2007. Sympathy for the Devil is a cover of a Rolling Stones song.-Track listing:# "Science & Nature "# "Messalina"# "Nightwing"...
- 2008: Viva la MuerteViva la MuerteViva la Muerte is a full-length album released by the British Goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus on November 2, 2008.-Track listing:# "Love Eternal"# "Fiesta de Amor"# "Death Comes "# "Living Death"# "Emergence"# "We Walk Again"...
- 2010: The Dark GoddessThe Dark Goddess (album)The Dark Goddess is a full-length album released by the British Goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus on November 7th 2010. The album is notable for carrying the Resurrection Records catalogue number ABCD666.-Track listing:# "The Dark Goddess"...
- 2011: The Goat
External links
- Inkubus Sukkubus home page
- The band's back catalogue is available from Pagan Fire Muzick
- Inkubus Sukkubus forum
- Major unofficial Inkubus Sukkubus fan site
- Inkubus Sukkubus playlist at SoundClick