Lindsay Schoolcraft- Worlds Away (Album Review)

Musician: Lindsay Schoolcraft
Album Title: Worlds Away
Genre/ Subgenre: Goth, Classical, Ethereal 
Label: Cyber Proxy Records
Release Date: October 9, 2020 

Last year, Lindsay Schoolcraft, who among her many past gigs included being the keyboardist for Cradle of Filth, made her solo debut with the awesome Martyrs. This year, with COVID-19 resulting in quarantine, Schoolcraft worked on Worlds Away giving us a powerful album and beautifully haunting record. Returning to work with her is former and the first Evanescence drummer Rocky Gray (who also co-wrote Martyrs with her), as he adds some electronic beats on a couple of songs. 

The result is one of the most emotionally captivating records of the year, one that also happens to get better with each and every listening. In these difficult times, I have found peace and beauty in it. There is this welcoming embrace to it, that invites the listener and heals the soul. I connected to it on an spiritual level that is hard to achieve or even truly explain. This is the perfect record to relax to, as it calms the inner and deepest part of one. 

Most of the songs presented here are reworkings of her earlier tracks. Only two (the title track and "Dance On The Strings") are new. Regardless all of the songs are ethereally haunting works of music. That aforementioned title has a gorgeous and stunning string intro to it. It is complimented by Schoolcraft's beautiful and soothing voice. "Saviour", one of my absolute favorite off of Martyrs, is given a new life here. The intro to this one is haunting and, yet, with her gorgeous vocals there this new tragic and pained feel to it. It makes the song that much more powerful and effective. "Fading Star" is another stunner of a track. Her voice sounds amazing and works so wonderfully against here string work giving it an otherworldly and sorrowful feel. I would call it my favorite but, the truth is each listening gives me a new song that I connect more and more to. 

Lindsay Schoolcraft's Worlds Apart is one of the year's most beautiful, stunning, and powerful surprises. It touched the inner me in a way I wasn't expecting. In these trying times, it is an album that will soothe and calm the heart and the soul. Mixing elements of Evanescence, Within Temptation, and Sarah Brightman, it provides the perfect answer to those of who have a taste for the beautiful, tragic, and gothic. With Schoolcraft's gorgeous vocals and string arrangements, I have a found a release that has hit me in away like nothing else in 2020. And, without a doubt it cements her as one of the artists whose new work I will most anxiously await.

 4.5 out of 5

Read More

Lindsay Schoolcraft- Martyr (Album Review)

Musician: Lindsey Schoolcraft
Album Title: Martyr
Genre/ Subgenre: Gothic Hard Rock/ Metal
Label: Self Released
Release Date: October 7, 2019

Martyr is the solo debut album by Cradle of Filth keyboardist and vocalist Lindsey Schoolcraft. It is co-written by former Evanescence drummer Rocky Gray, and is. in fact, heavily influenced by bands like Evanescence and Lacuna Coil. The result is the goth hard rock album fellow fans of those bands have been missing in our lives.

The production by Tyler Williams is crisp and clear with a sound that engulfs the listener in the album's haunting beauty. Schoolcraft's signing is beautiful throughout the album. She has an ethereal and haunting quality that makes the music stunning throughout. She puts so much of her heart and soul that one cannot help but be fully captivated listening to her.

The album starts off awesomely with one its strongest tracks, and first single, in "Saviour". The piano intro recalls the aforementioned Evanescence as do the guitars which very much recall bands like that and Lacuna Coil. You will also find yourself signing along with it, especially the catchy chorus, one of my favorites of the year. The gorgeous and evocative "Stranger" will fill your soul with its enthralling power. Also, the production really shines, with the laying down of her beautiful vocals. "Blood from a Stone" recalls the most powerful and stunning ballads from Evanescence. But, never does this album feel like a rip-off, instead, she clearly lets us know who her heroes are. And, yet, at the same time, clearly makes the music all her own. Her signing here feels so pained and will touch the deepest part of you. "See the Light" has a great riff that really drives the song, and I simply love the way her vocals bring in a more melodic feeling mixing in with the rocking sound. The growling guest vocals by Xenoyr gives the song an extra aggressive feel, and is sort of a more straight forward Epica.

I am a long time of both this style of rock and metal and of Schoolcraft herself. She more than delivers the good in the beautiful and powerful Martyr. Just writing this review excites me, as I listen and think of all the great music contained within it. If you are a fan of hard rock like this, it is a simple must have, as well as being one of the most exciting self released albums of the year. Do yourself a favor and order it here.

4 out of 5

Read More