Customer Reviews

Music From The Succubus Club

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are currently record label notes displayed on this page explaining that "this is not a compilation specifically *about* vampires; rather, it is a collection of songs which touch on some of the themes of vampirism....specifically those explored in the 'Vampire: The Masquerade' game." For those who, like me, don't see the big difference, I'll explain it another way.

As the cover says, it's a soundtrack for the roleplaying game VAMPIRE THE MASQUERADE (VtM). This is music supposedly from the Succubus Club, the game's fictional dance club. The 13 songs here correspond with VtM's 13 vampire clans - not songs written about specific clans but (the liner notes say) songs imagined to be popular with each clan.

As a soundtrack, it's as evocative as VtM at its best. However, while none are totally inappropriate, some selections fit their clans less strongly. For example, Beborn Beton's "Hemoglobin", seemingly does nothing with the Assamites' Middle Eastern origins. Also, complete lyrics would have helped me better appreciate how songs represented their clans.

For those unfamiliar with VtM, this collection stands on its own well. It's just good music. Because of the dance club setting, uptempo pop rhythms dominate- often accompanying chilling lyrics as in Mission U.K.'s brisk rocker "Last Beat of Your Heart" However, there's a variety of Goth styles represented- from Wench's sensuously languid "Heart of Darkness" to Carfax Abbey's ear-melting "Soul to Bleed" .

Other favorites: the Cruxshadows' "Deception" (the included video is a treat), Kristeen Young's wailing vocals in "Rotting on the Vine", Seraphim Shock's snarlingly horrific "Prey", Bella Morte's lush "Fall No More" and Diary of Dreams' eerie waltz "Blind in Darkness". No real clunkers but I liked Neuroactive's technopop "Superficial" least. Also, those unfamiliar with VtM's Tzimisce clan may not appreciate the camp humor of Paralysed Age's "Bloodsucker 2000."

I have a fondness for this album because I am a big roleplayer, and this album can be great background music for a game of Vampire if you're into the 80's goth rock style of vampire, which I know a lot of people are.

Tracks like "Fall No More" and "Deception" are really well written and make for fantastic casual listening, not just ambiance music. Songs like "Bloodsucker 2000" or "Cold From Fever" are laughably bad.

This album is for goth enthusiasts, but I venture to say that others might find something they like here, too. If 80's-style vampire dance music is your thing, for god's sake- get this album and suck some blood! Otherwise, you might try a nice merlot and the soundtrack to "Interview with the Vampire" instead.

1. Deception - The Cruxshadows- 4/5
2. Prey - Seraphim Shock- 3/5
3. Bloodsucker 2000 - Paralysed Age- 1/5
4. Heart of Darkness - Wench- 4/5
5. Cold From Fever - Sunshine Blind- 2/5
6. Fall No More - Bella Morte- 5/5 (#1 song of the album)
7. Soul To Bleed - Carfax Abbey- 3/5
8. Beborn Beton - Hemoglobin- 4/5
9. Last Beat of Your Heart - Mission U.K.- 4/5
10. Rotting On The Vine - Kristeen Young- 3/5
11. The Night Is Young - Nosferatu- 3/5
12. Blind in Darkness - Diary of Dreams- 2/5
13. Superficial - Neuroactive- 4/5

"Consider this disc a guest pass of sorts to the musical mysteries of The Succubus Club. But don't take that too literally, our bouncers are not known for their sense of humor..and you'd still never get in dressed like *that*.." -DJ Damascus(Toreador)

Music from the Succubus Club is the first ever Soundtrack made for V:TM. As the liner notes explain, it is not a CD *about* Vampires, but instead a compilation of the best tracks that can be heard within the walls of this

Infamous haven for the undead(No, the club does not exist, sorry). Every piece of music has been carefully selected, and the artists all contribute excellent pieces It starts out with "Deception", a new track by the popular Goth/synthpop artists, "The Crüxshadows". This is a brilliant starting track, for it truly sets the atmosphere and gives you an idea of the *excellent* music favored in the Club. It is my favorite Crüxshadows track to date, and has an excellent hook.."pray for daylight, pray for morning, pray for an end to..our deception". Indeed. The song has a bit of an Irish sound thanks to the beautiful violin playing of Rachel McDonnell. Man can she play. Also included on this CD is a Music Video(Playable on Mac/PC) of "Deception". The next track, "Prey" by Seraphim Shock, is quite a bit more brutal, but also excellent. The vocals are fantastic, and the guitars make the track truly scream. "Bloodsucker 2000", a remix of the hit track by Paralysed Age, is a great new rendition of the song and the new synth work really adds to the melody. Other songs have a considerably bloody edge, none more so than "Hemoglobin" by Beborn Beton. Killer Track(pardon the pun)! Nosferatu, Mission U.K., Carfax Abbey, Neuroactive, Wench, Sunshine Blind, Bella Morte, Kristeen Young, and Diary of Dreams are the other impressive talents that head up this fantastic CD. I have to say this CD really does seem like it would

be played beginning to end in Helena's Club, something that would make the night truly come alive. This CD makes a great addition to any party, V:TM gathering, hell, it makes for a great listen while walking down Philly(or any other city..Chicago for example? :) ) just enjoying the night. I think you will all enjoy this compilation. Also, as I said, be sure to check out the Crüxshadows "Deception" video on the CD!

I don't play Vampire, The Masquerade, but bought the CD because of the songs on it. The collection is a very good mix of romantic/gothic/industrial/synth. Some groups, like Cruxshadows are relatively new to the scene, while Nosferatu is a classic. Diary of Dreams represents current German goth, and Beborn Beton is usually more of a romantic, dark synthpop group. Not all winners, but a good solid compillation. Actually, one of the better comps and much better than most sound tracks.

I have always loved Vampires, and I have played White Wolf RPGs for several years before I happened to see this CD. It just was there, waiting for me in the shelf of a usually crappy CD store. I bought it on a whim, and after the first skimming on my car stereo on the way home it blasted its way into my permanent rotation and into my twisted black heart.

From the opening sounds of 'Deception' until the last second of 'Superficial' this disc is pure power. Some songs will make you want to jump up and dance in the streets, others, like 'Rotting on the Vine' are mellow, slow, perfect to just chill out to. You can actually dance a waltz to 'Blind in Darkness' if you are into that.

This CD is great for everybody, but any VtM or VtDA will truly appreciate it. With every song dedicated to one of the 13 clans, each song is different, but linked by common themes. And it is easy to see why songs would appeal to the individual clans. The dark chanting of 'Blind in Darkness' is very close to what a Tremere invocation would sound like, and the hissing whispers of 'Heart of Darkness' make anybody shiver who ever had his character fall prey to a Setite's temptations.

In addition listening to this CD made me do something I usually shun away from: buying albums of artists I only know one song of. I currently own one disc each of Beborn Beton, Diary of Dreams, Bella Morte, Cruxshadows, Wench and Paralysed Age, with more to come for sure :)

This CD is the ( ). Cruxshadows sets the tone with the firstsong "Deception" and is soon followed by the in your facegoth/rock song "Prey" by Seraphim Shock. The CD slacks off until Bella Morte's "Fall No More". Then another pretty cool song "Soul to Bleed" by Carfax Abbey. I don't really care for the other songs until the last song. Even though I only liked a few songs from it, Music from the Succubus Club is a must buy for goth/rock and darkwave fans. END

I thought this album was terrific. I found all of the tracks interesting but particularly liked Deception by the Cruxshadows and Bloodsucker 2000 by Paralysed Age. Having written seven vampire novels for White Wolf, I only wish this CD had been available when I was writing the books as it would have provided excellent background music while I worked.

A song for every Vampire clan. Well, I don't like all the clans, and I don't like all the songs. Fair enough. But the songs I *do* like, I *really* like, and even the songs I don't like I can listen to. Perfect atmospheric music for parties, games, or just hanging around being "tragically hip."

I'm hard pressed to say which of two tracks is my favorite. Deception is awesome, but so is Hemoglobin. Listening to the music on this disk allowed me to feel what it might be like to be a vampire, to enjoy the taste and hunger for blood. I don't play Vampire: The Masquerade or even any other roleplay as a vampire, but this CD made me feel like I could.

I bought another CD of vampire music that is very useful as background and mood aid in the on-going Vampire game I run. I thought this would be great because it is based on the game. It is good, it is very much as advertized -- the sounds of a nightclub. However, the lyrics can be very distracting to the storyteller and the players so I decided not to use in in our game unless we go to some type of Vampire club.