Nightmare Sonata

Nightmare Sonata is a horror punk band from Greensboro, North Carolina. The original incarnation of the band formed in 2003 as an industrial metal band. They are also notable for their theatrical stage shows in which they depict socially and politically charged acts of horror, murder, and the macabre.

History

The band was formed by Benjamin Samedi in 2003. After seeing the band several times with various temporary lineups, Billy Bones joined the band playing bass. When previous drummer Doc left the band Benjamin recruited Vega to play drums. After a short East Coast tour the band realized the need for a second guitarist. Billy asked his personal friend Mark to audition. After one practice he was hired, being dubbed "Pork" as a suitable substitute for his real name. In 2013 Billy Bones exited the band to deal with personal issues, and Lady Von Creepyshit replaced him on bass guitar. In 2015 Pork also exited the band, leaving them with only 1 guitarist.

The band has released several self-produced EP's. The most recent of which is the "Necrophile EP". Their first studio release since 2009, and the first featuring Vega on drums and Pork on guitars. It was released in November 2011. They provide music for the Acid Bath Productions film, Hack Job, featuring Lloyd Kaufman and Gwar's frontman Dave Brockie in 2011, and the film I Spill Your Guts by the same group in 2012, and Cool As Hell in 2013. In May 2011 they supported Polkadot Cadaver on their "All Of Our Friends Are Dead Tour". In October they opened for Irish Rock band Lluther. In November They supported Wednesday 13, Vampires Everywhere! & Polkadot Cadaver on the "Something Wicked This Way Comes" tour. This was not the first time the band had opened for Wednesday 13, though, the first being on the "Skeletons" tour in 2008 in Raleigh, NC. In addition, Nightmare Sonata has also supported such bands as Cancerslug, Agent Orange, Voltaire, Mensrea, and Ashers. Nightmare Sonata made a rogue appearance at the 2007 Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA, as guests of the now defunct Heaven and Hell Records, bumping shoulders with such notables as Bella Morte, Calabrese, Voltaire, and the CruxShadows. They are working on a new record due out sometime late 2015 or early 2016.

Musical style

The band plays a unique style of horror punk, containing elements of punk, metal and rock. Front man Benjamin Samedi is heavily influenced by bands such as The Misfits, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, and Type O Negative. He takes a large cue from Type O Negative Front man Pete Steele on his vocal style. His guitar style has many remnants of players such as Mike Ness of Social Distortion, Tony Iommi, and his visual style weighs heavily on Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein Formerly of The Misfits, currently of Gorgeous Frankenstein. Bassist Lady Von Creepyshit draws heavily from Marilyn Manson, Ministry, and My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. Pork has almost no Punk influences as opposed to the rest of the band. He considers Thrash Metal acts such as Slayer & Anthrax his main influences. Drummer Vega has more diverse influences, Citing Drum & Bass drummer Jojo Mayer as one of his favorite drummers. He also cites Chris Adler (of Lamb of God), Shannon Larkin (of Godsmack) & Derek Roddy(of Extreme Metal fame) as heavy influences on his style.

Many of the band's songs are very fast (upwards of 200 BPM) and in Double Time (such as Wicked Sandman, Bloodbath & Bloody Valentine) In contrast to this, other songs are usually at a moderate tempo(160-200 BPM), with a more groovy metal influenced feel (Shiver, Frustration Rage & Ode To It All). Though there are many exceptions to this rule, Zombie Slave Ballad being most prominent. Benjamin is a practicing Vodoun. His lyrics reflect his religion as many songs reference Vodou themes and practices.

Discography

• Graveyard Symphony E.P. (2005)
• Sex In The Cemetery E.P. (2005)
• The Horror Demo (2006)
• Horror Demo 2 (2006)
• Postmortem Lullabies (2007)
• Skeletons From The Closet (2009)
• Necrophile EP (2011)

Music videos

External links

• https://www.facebook.com/nightmaresonata
• http://www.myspace.com/nightmaresonata
• http://www.reverbnation.com/nightmaresonata
• https://www.youtube.com/slavette131313
• http://www.nightmaresonata.com/