In Memory of Texas Chainsaw's Marilyn Burns and Astarte's Tristessa

This week marked the passing of two very different but nonetheless beautiful and talented blonde ladies: legendary scream queen Marilyn Burns and black metal signer Tristessa. Both, made me unbelievably sad. I will honor then both here.

The lovely Marilyn Burns was born on May 7, 1949 in Erie, Penn. She made her acting debut in her most famous and beloved role that of Sally Hardesty in Tobe Hooper's classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. In that film, she proved to be, along with the original King Kong's Fay Wray, the greatest screamer in the history of horror. Her realistic portrayal of her character in what, to me, is the scariest movie ever made, raised her to icon status.

Other memorable roles she played include playing Linda Kasabian in TV mini-series Helter Skelter, a role in the mediocre sci-fi horror film Future Kill (where is was reunited with fellow TCM cast member Edwin Neil), and cameos in both the awful The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation  and Texas Chainsaw 3D.

She passed away this Tues at age 65 at her home in Houston, Texas. I read this sad news while I was at a live taping of TNA/ Impact wrestling in NYC. I was in state in disbelief. I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but she will forever live my heart and memories, as well as those of all other horror fans, for TCM.

Maria "Tristessa" Kolokouri was the vocalist of Greek black metal band Astarte. She just passed away today due to complications from leukemia. She had been battling it for a very long and difficult time. I, myself, only heard about her condition several months ago. I was deeply saddened to know this. Though, I hoped she would pull through it. When, I got the news this morning via someone commenting me back in response to my hopeful comment on YouTube, I was devastated. I almost cried, quiet frankly.

After all, I was a huge fan of the band. I got into them around 2007 when they released what would be their fifth and final album the awesome Demonized (which I ranked in my on-going best album covers of all time). They were to enter the studio in 2013 to work on their next album Blackdemonuim.

The band's name is named after the goddess of fertility, beauty, and war. I was a huge fan of theirs and really always felt that they were criminally underrated. They had a very unique sound within the black metal world. To me, Tristessa (which means sadness in Spanish) was a black metal goddess; a stunning beauty with a multi-instrutment talent and breathtaking beauty. I absolutely loved her vocals. Even as I write this I am so very sad. I had the picture to the left on my MySpace, back in the day.

Her husband Nick Maiis has released the following statement regarding her passing:

"Maria, she's left from this world.
"You are leaving a lot behind and my soul is in pain.
"You are a special person, you are my wife. I will always adore you, our son and everybody that they love you. I will always honor you and you will never be forgotten.
"Until we meet again, my love, I will kiss you from inside of my soul."

I've had Demonized  one since I turned on my laptop. Here are some choice songs of theirs:

The following song is one of the most beautiful in the history of black metal:

Here Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir joins them for an amazing track off of Sirens:

Here is a KILLER cover of my all time favorite Accept song:

May both these amazing women RIP. They are already so very deeply missed already.