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Libitina, the UK gothic darkwave band, was formed in 1994 when the founder members were students at the University Of Sheffield. The final 2003-2006 line-up is Darren (guitar, programming), Jamie (bass guitar, programming, vocals), and Phill (vocals, programming, guitar, bass guitar). Libitina played their final gig at Madame Jo-Jo's in Soho, London, on September 21st 2006. Jamie is now playing bass for Spares , with ex-Children On Stun guitarist Simon M.
Libitina's sound mixes gothic guitars with modern electronics to create a distinctively romantic, emotionally intense, and anthemic sound. The band takes its name from an ancient Roman goddess, associated mainly with darkness and the shades, but also often being confused by the Romans with two other goddesses, Proserpina (presiding over funeral rites) and Venus (the goddess of love and marriage). The lyrical themes of Libitina are influenced strongly by this trinity of love, darkness, and death.
The band released five albums on the Libation Records label: 'A Closer Communion' (1997), 'Weltanschauung' (2001),'The Shadowline' (2003), the remix album Reflections & Refractions (2004), and Parhelion (2006). The first two CDs were produced by Stephen Singleton (of 80s band ABC). Reza Udhin (Inertia and Killing Joke) took over the engineering and production role for Libitina's last three CDs.
Libitina's original material has received much airplay internationally, complemented by the worldwide Goth club hit 'Gothic People', an adaptation of the Pulp song 'Common People'. The original line-up briefly reformed in 2005 to play 'Gothic People' for a BBC television programme documenting the history of Pulps hit. Libitina has also appeared on a number of compilations, including releases by Nightbreed, Nova Tekk, and PHD.
Recently, Libitina has remixed songs for Audio War (appearing on Under Enemy Control on MOMT Records) and The Voices of Masada (appearing on Strobelight's New Dark Age IV). The band has also become involved in music for film, contributing songs to several independent film releases.
Particular highlights for Libitina have been appearances at The Whitby Gothic Weekend (Whitby, UK, 1997, 2004), The Lumous Gothic Festival (Tampere, Finland, 2006), The Sacrosanct Festival (LA2, London, UK, 1997), Infest (Bradford, UK, 2000), Euro-Rock Indoor Festival (Antwerpen, Belgium, 2002), and LeFantastique.Night VI (Bruxelles, Belgium, 2003). The band has played shows throughout the UK, together with headline gigs in Italy, Germany, Finland, and Ireland, and has appeared with many leading artists in the Goth scene, including The Mission, Rosetta Stone, The Cruxshadows, The Last Dance, (Children On) Stun, The Marionettes, and James Ray Gangwar.
What the press has said about Libitina's releases:
Parhelion (LIB005CD)
"... a very powerful Gothic Rock release... the band's finest hour" (TWF Magazine, UK, 9/10)
"This is arguably the bands finest release to date... an album close to perfection... a well crafted, well arranged and truly excellent album..." ('InsomniaMagazine, UK, 5/5)
"... any goth who picks this album up will not have buyer's remorse after spinning this one. If someone loves atmospheric gothic rock that is both emotional as well as aggressive they should own this album." (Ookie Spookie, USA)
"I highly recommend that you find this CD and buy it." (Lithium Radio, USA)
Reflections & Refractions (LIB004CD)
"... the path is well traced to establish themselves as a staple act for the new generation of goths with "technology and soul"." (Darklife Fanzine, Germany/UK)
"... plenty of variation from experimental noise drones, edgy electronica, to sultry electro synthpop; strongly recommended to DJ's & club fiends." (Grave Concerns, USA)
"... an album full of potential dancefloor hits... a terrific album in its own right..." (Kaleidoscope, UK)
The Shadowline (LIB003CD)
"... a dynamic album, great for dimly lit clubs or bedrooms." (Comatose Rose, Canada)
"Libitina are growing strong..." (Darklife, Germany)
"A strong combination of traditional guitar goth sounds with effective darkwave beats aimed squarely at dancefloors... this is the album that sees the band really come of age..." (Kaleidoscope, UK)
"... for those that like their goth traditional but with an eye on the dancefloor." (Meltdown Magazine, UK)
"The Shadowline sounds fresh and vital." (Starvox, USA)
Weltanschauung (LIB002CD)
"Emotionally powerful and stirring..." (The Sentimentalist, USA)
"... heavy gothic lovers will embrace the rite of Libitina!" (Side-Line Magazine, Belgium)
"... a very refreshing album, a masterpiece... Strength, melody, rhythm, personality... this album has everything!" (Ascension, Italy)
"... a distinctly dark and intelligent sound." (RhythmUS Network, USA)
"... Weltanschauung is bound to bring Libitina even more global attention." (In Music We Trust, USA)
"... a musical exercise in drama and passion." (Starvox, USA)
A Closer Communion (LIB001CD)
"... one of the best goth rock albums of the decade..." (Dark Velvet, USA)
"... it's very hard to believe that it's their first ever release. Recommended..." (BRV Magazine, UK)
"Libitina's sound is a fast moving mix of synth and guitar- safely away from any cliches..." (Cherry, UK)
"A must for every dark soul!" (Empyre, Belgium)
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