Mephisto Walz
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Mephisto Walz | |
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| Origin | United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Alice In..., Cleopatra, The Fossil Dungeon |
| Members | Barry Galvin Myriam Galvin |
| Past members | Sara Reid Johan Schumann David Glass William Faith Stevyn Grey Christine Leonard |
| Website | mephistowalz |
Mephisto Walz is the name of a band formed in 1986 by Barry Galvin (Bari-Bari) and John Schuman (Johann) following their departure from the deathrock band, Christian Death.
History
[edit]Christian Death
[edit]Barry Galvin (Bari-Bari) joined Christian Death as the bassist during Rozz Williams' time as lead vocalist.[citation needed] After Williams left the band in 1985, guitarist Valor Kand took over as lead singer and became the principal songwriter.[citation needed]
Christian Death's 1985 album Atrocities, and the EPs The Wind Kissed Pictures and Believers of the Unpure, featured Bari-Bari alongside Johann (bass) and David Glass (drums). All three musicians would later participate in various iterations of Mephisto Walz. Several tracks on Atrocities -- including "Tales of Innocence", "Strapping Me Down", and "Silent Thunder" -- were composed by Bari-Bari.[citation needed]
The 1985 EP The Wind Kissed Pictures included Bari-Bari's compositions "The Wind Kissed Pictures" and "Lacrima Christi". The single Believers of the Unpure, released in 1986, featured his song "Between Youth".[citation needed]
Following conflicts with Valor Kand, Bari-Bari and Johann left Christian Death.[citation needed]
1986: Mephisto Walz' beginnings
[edit]The initial lineup of Mephisto Walz was formed in Düsseldorf in February 1986. It included Bari-Bari as the sole songwriter, John Schuman (Johann), Arndt on drums, and a German vocalist named Jörge. Johann proposed the name Mephisto Walz. The band rehearsed songs written by Bari-Bari and incorporated soundscapes such as "Aborigine Requiem". Their self-titled debut album was released that same year on the Italian label Supporti Fonografici.
In 1987, the band relocated to Los Angeles; Johann did not join them. In 1988, Bari-Bari began collaborating with Steven Grey in Hollywood. They reformed the band with David Harmon (bass), Mondo (vocals), and Nariki Shimooka (guitar). This lineup performed material from the first EP and Bari-Bari's songs from Christian Death, while also developing new material that would later appear on the Crocosmia, Terra-Regina, and Thalia releases. Material that would become Rarities 1989 was recorded live in the studio during this period.
1991: New vocalist and tour
[edit]In 1991, Christianna joined as vocalist. Bari-Bari stated his reason for introducing a female vocalist was that the "male vocals sounded too similar to Williams and Christian Death." William Faith was added on bass concurrently. The band began working with Gymnastic Records, appearing on the compilation American Gothic with the song "Tangia". Crocosmia was subsequently recorded for European release, featuring both new tracks and older songs re-recorded with Christianna on vocals.
In 1992, a co-headlining tour with Shadow Project took Mephisto Walz back to Germany. The band remained there to record As Apostles Forget. Bari-Bari also wrote material intended for Terra-Regina and Thalia before returning to the U.S.
Upon returning to Los Angeles, Johann and Glass rejoined the band, replacing William Faith and Steven Grey. Bari-Bari and Christiana then commenced work on three full-length albums: Eternal Deep, Terra-Regina, and Thalia, which were released through Cleopatra Records.
1994-1999: Covers and Nightingale
[edit]From 1994 to 1999, Bari-Bari and Christianna recorded cover singles for Cleopatra Records, as well as the albums *Early Recordings* and *Immersion*.
The *Nightingale* EP was recorded by Bari-Bari and Christianna in 2002 for the Fossil Dungeon label. This release was followed by the album *Insidious* in 2004.
For the next few years, Bari-Bari performed and recorded with Scarlet's Remains and also recorded other bands in his Los Angeles studio.
2011-2017: IIIrd Incarnation, New Apostles, and Scoundrel
[edit]In 2011, *IIIrd Incarnation* was recorded, featuring Bari-Bari and Sara Reid on vocals. The album showcased a more aggressive guitar style.
Two years later, *New Apostles* was recorded, with Bari-Bari and Myriam Galvin on vocals. Christian Omar Madrigal Izzo performed drums on four tracks.
The 2017 release *Scoundrel* was written and recorded by Bari-Bari and Myriam Galvin, with Omar Madrigal Izzo again contributing drums on select songs.
Discography
[edit]Albums and EP
[edit]- 1992: Crocosmia (Compilation)
- 1992: As Apostles Forget (EP)
- 1993: Terra-Regina
- 1994: The Eternal Deep
- 1995: Thalia
- 1995: Mosaique (Compilation)
- 1998: Immersion
- 2000: Early Recordings 1985–1988 (Compilation)
- 2004: Insidious[1]
- 2011: IIIrd Incarnation[2]
- 2013: New Apostles[3]
- 2017: Scoundrel
- 2018: Immersion II
- 2018: Rarities 1989 (Compilation)
- 2020: All These Winding Roads
Exclusive tracks appearing on compilations
[edit]- Gothik: Music from the Dark Side – "Mephisto Walz"
- Gothic Erotica – "Israel"
- Dancing on Your Grave – "Facade"
- Künstler Zum 13. Wave-Gotik-Treffen – "Before These Crimes"
- Sonic Seducer – Cold Hands Seduction Vol. 39 – "One Day Less"
- Strobe Lights Vol. 2 – "Hunter's Trail (Strobe Light Mix)"
- Kaliffornian Deathrock – "Eternal Deep"
- Virgin Voices - "Skin" (Madonna cover)
- Gothic Daydreams - "One Less Day"
References
[edit]- ^ "Mephisto Walz - Insidious - Chain D.L.K." www.chaindlk.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Review: Mephisto Walz - IIIrd Incarnation - Brutal Resonance". www.brutalresonance.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Adams, Helena (October 18, 2016). "CD Review: Mephisto Walz - New Apostles". www.reflectionsofdarkness.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Morbid Outlook Interview with Bary Galvin, a.k.a. Bari-bari
- Mephisto Walz discography at Discogs
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