Caelum Bliss
Encyclopedia
Caelum Bliss was a goth
band from Detroit, Michigan
circa 1993-1999.
Formed by guitarist/producer Tony Hamera, Caelum Bliss took the Detroit underground by storm, gaining critical acclaim & gigging alongside artists such as Christian Death
, Shadow Project
, Chris Connelly & Placebo. The first incarnation of Caelum Bliss featured Tony Hamera on keyboards, William King on drums, Mark Nowakowski on bass, Dave Johnson on guitar, and Melissa Emily taking on vocal duties. Their early material was rooted in the early '80's goth
movement which had punk
influences as well. The band cites Christian Death
, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Danielle Dax
as early influences. With this line-up Caelum recorded their first demo at Tempermill Studios during the summer of 1993. It contained five songs and highlighted the bands early gothic-punk style of music.
As Caelum began to gig more, their sound started to evolve. Line-up changes and exposure to new European groups had nudged Caelum Bliss into a more Darkwave
style and sound. Groups such as Miranda Sex Garden from the U.K., Collection d'Arnell-Andréa from France, and Dead Can Dance
from the U.K., had a huge influence on the direction of Caelum as they moved toward more exotic instrumentation. Violins, cello, harp, and hammered dulcimer
became staples of their evolving sound. This line-up included the core members of Hamera (now playing guitar and keys), King, and Emily, with newcomers Marvin Shaouni on bass, Kurt Marschke on guitar, Mary Madill and Kristin Toth on violins, Carolyn Nine on harp, and Mike Madill on cello. After recording a couple more demos, Caelum entered Tempermill Studios and recorded their eponymously titled debut CD which was released in 1995. Reviewer Victor Mejia gives his impressions of this CD: "Caelum Bliss seem like a descendant of what 4AD was doing 10 years ago. It is that kind of familiarity in their music that is so comforting and inviting. But they are far more than a copy of all those bands of yesteryear. The CD is well-produced, but not overly so which is often the case with bands of this nature. Their music is both powerful and gripping and stirs up several strong emotions."
As 1995 turned into 1996, Caelum's sound was evolving further. Gone was the string section and complex arrangements, and new elements were introduced - heavy, ambient guitar effects ala the shoegaze movement going on in the U.K., as well as electronic samples and loops. Caelum's line-up was stripped down to a five piece once again featuring the core of Hamera, King, Shaouni, Emily and Marschke. After several more recording sessions in 1997 and through 1998, Caelum continued to evolve and their style had completely changed. By the end of 1999, their sound was more akin to some electro-pop bands of the day like Garbage and Republica rather than the darkwave
or gothic-punk sound that had defined them years earlier.
In 1999 Caelum Bliss, with its polished new sound and direction, opted to switch monikers and the electro-pop group Deathgirl.com was formed. Led by Caelum's core members Hamera, Emily, Shaouni, & King, Deathgirl.com released a self-titled CD in early 2001. The CD was met with enthusiasm and praise for its catchy, high energy electro-pop rock anthems. However, inner turmoil and unkept promises from management and higher-ups had shattered the bands confidence in their musical direction. Deathgirl.com finally disbanded in the fall of 2001.
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...
band from Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
circa 1993-1999.
Formed by guitarist/producer Tony Hamera, Caelum Bliss took the Detroit underground by storm, gaining critical acclaim & gigging alongside artists such as Christian Death
Christian Death
Christian Death is an American deathrock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979. The band was founded and fronted by Rozz Williams. Christian Death is most notable for their first album Only Theatre of Pain....
, Shadow Project
Shadow Project
Shadow Project were a deathrock band formed in the early 1990s with Rozz Williams, Eva O and Paris Sadonis. The band's first album included bassist Jill Emery and drummer Thomas Morgan....
, Chris Connelly & Placebo. The first incarnation of Caelum Bliss featured Tony Hamera on keyboards, William King on drums, Mark Nowakowski on bass, Dave Johnson on guitar, and Melissa Emily taking on vocal duties. Their early material was rooted in the early '80's 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...
movement which had punk
Punk subculture
The punk subculture includes a diverse array of ideologies, and forms of expression, including fashion, visual art, dance, literature, and film, which grew out of punk rock.-History:...
influences as well. The band cites Christian Death
Christian Death
Christian Death is an American deathrock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979. The band was founded and fronted by Rozz Williams. Christian Death is most notable for their first album Only Theatre of Pain....
, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Danielle Dax
Danielle Dax
Danielle Dax is an experimental musician and producer most active from the late-1970s to the mid-1990s. She was born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.- Biography :...
as early influences. With this line-up Caelum recorded their first demo at Tempermill Studios during the summer of 1993. It contained five songs and highlighted the bands early gothic-punk style of music.
As Caelum began to gig more, their sound started to evolve. Line-up changes and exposure to new European groups had nudged Caelum Bliss into a more Darkwave
Darkwave
Dark Wave or darkwave is a music genre that began in the late 1970s, coinciding with the popularity of New Wave and post-punk. Building on those basic principles, dark wave added dark, introspective lyrics and an undertone of sorrow for some bands...
style and sound. Groups such as Miranda Sex Garden from the U.K., Collection d'Arnell-Andréa from France, and Dead Can Dance
Dead Can Dance
Dead Can Dance are an ethereal neoclassical duo formed in Melbourne, Australia, in August 1981, by Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry. The band relocated to London in May 1982 and disbanded in 1998. Their 1996 album Spiritchaser reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top World Music Albums Chart...
from the U.K., had a huge influence on the direction of Caelum as they moved toward more exotic instrumentation. Violins, cello, harp, and hammered dulcimer
Hammered dulcimer
The hammered dulcimer is a stringed musical instrument with the strings stretched over a trapezoidal sounding board. Typically, the hammered dulcimer is set on a stand, at an angle, before the musician, who holds small mallet hammers in each hand to strike the strings...
became staples of their evolving sound. This line-up included the core members of Hamera (now playing guitar and keys), King, and Emily, with newcomers Marvin Shaouni on bass, Kurt Marschke on guitar, Mary Madill and Kristin Toth on violins, Carolyn Nine on harp, and Mike Madill on cello. After recording a couple more demos, Caelum entered Tempermill Studios and recorded their eponymously titled debut CD which was released in 1995. Reviewer Victor Mejia gives his impressions of this CD: "Caelum Bliss seem like a descendant of what 4AD was doing 10 years ago. It is that kind of familiarity in their music that is so comforting and inviting. But they are far more than a copy of all those bands of yesteryear. The CD is well-produced, but not overly so which is often the case with bands of this nature. Their music is both powerful and gripping and stirs up several strong emotions."
As 1995 turned into 1996, Caelum's sound was evolving further. Gone was the string section and complex arrangements, and new elements were introduced - heavy, ambient guitar effects ala the shoegaze movement going on in the U.K., as well as electronic samples and loops. Caelum's line-up was stripped down to a five piece once again featuring the core of Hamera, King, Shaouni, Emily and Marschke. After several more recording sessions in 1997 and through 1998, Caelum continued to evolve and their style had completely changed. By the end of 1999, their sound was more akin to some electro-pop bands of the day like Garbage and Republica rather than the darkwave
Darkwave
Dark Wave or darkwave is a music genre that began in the late 1970s, coinciding with the popularity of New Wave and post-punk. Building on those basic principles, dark wave added dark, introspective lyrics and an undertone of sorrow for some bands...
or gothic-punk sound that had defined them years earlier.
In 1999 Caelum Bliss, with its polished new sound and direction, opted to switch monikers and the electro-pop group Deathgirl.com was formed. Led by Caelum's core members Hamera, Emily, Shaouni, & King, Deathgirl.com released a self-titled CD in early 2001. The CD was met with enthusiasm and praise for its catchy, high energy electro-pop rock anthems. However, inner turmoil and unkept promises from management and higher-ups had shattered the bands confidence in their musical direction. Deathgirl.com finally disbanded in the fall of 2001.
Discography
- Caelum Bliss (Demo) 1993
- Line-up: Tony Hamera-keyboards/Melissa Emily-vocals/William King-drums/Dave Johnson-guitars/Mark Nowakowski-bass.
- A New Rain of Sorrow (demo) 1994
- Line-up: Tony Hamera-keyboards, guitars/Melissa Emily-vocals/William King-drums/Dave Johnson-guitars/Mary Madill-violin/Kristin Toth-violin/Mike Madill-cello, bass guitar.
- Caelum Bliss (self titled) CD 1995
- Line-up: Tony Hamera-keyboards, guitars, hammered dulcimer/Melissa Emily-vocals/William King-drums/Kurt Marschke-guitars/Marvin Shaouni-bass/Mary Madill-violin/Kristin Toth-violin/Mike Madill-cello/Carolyn Nine-harp, vocals.
- Pieces ep 1996
- Line-up: Tony Hamera-guitars/Melissa Emily-vocals/William King-drums/Kurt Marschke-guitars/Marvin Shaouni-bass/Carolyn Nine-vocals.
- Deathgirl (demo) 1997
- Line-up: Tony Hamera-guitars, programming/Melissa Emily-vocals/William King-drums/Kurt Marschke-guitars/Marvin Shaouni-bass.