Theatres Des Vampires

Theatres Des Vampires

Theatres Des Vampires is a gothic metal group from Rome, Italy, active since 1994. It is founded by Alessandro “Lord Vampyr” Nunziati and is known for lyrics and stage presentation built around vampirism. The band’s name is inspired by Anne Rice’s fictional Théâtre des Vampires, a location that appears in several of her books, including Interview With the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat.

Style and image

The band begins with a melodic black metal sound and develops over time into gothic metal. Its earlier work draws on symphonic black metal, while later material incorporates classical music, opera, darkwave, deathrock, gothic rock and several electro-industrial styles. Across these changes, the group keeps melancholic atmospheres, gothic-style vocals and a vampiric visual identity.

The group’s image is closely tied to vampirism in both lyrics and performance. Sonya Scarlet takes the role of solo vocalist and frontperson from 2004, after previously singing backing vocals. Theatrical shows become a notable part of the band’s identity, with more dramatic performances over time, including fireworks and Scarlet’s out-of-line appearances. She also sometimes cuts herself with razors on stage and lets fans drink her blood, a practice that leads to bans from some English clubs in 2005.

Career and releases

Theatre Des Vampires records ten albums in ten years with the English label Plastic Head, and later releases material through Aural Music. Among the albums mentioned are Pleasure and Pain, released in 2005, Desire of Damnation, a double album that combines live recordings from the 2006 The Addiction tour with new studio tracks and remixes, Anima Noir, which moves further towards electronic and industrial gothic metal, and Moonlight Waltz, released in 2011.

The band also films a video for “Carmilla,” directed by David Bracci, who has worked on several Dario Argento films and also directs the “Lilith Mater Inferorum” video.

Members

The current line-up includes Lord Vampyr, Zimon Lijoi, Gabriel Valerio, Fabian Varesi, Sonya Scarlet and Stephan Benfante. Guitarist Robert “Morgoth” leaves the band in 2006 and is replaced by Stephan Benfante.

Performances and collaborations

Theatres Des Vampires gains recognition in Europe, South America and Russia through festival appearances and touring. It performs at Vampyria III in London in 1999, Gods of Metal in Italy in 2000, Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig in 2003 and 2006, Gotham in London in 2004, and Female Voices Festival in Wieze, Belgium in 2006. In 2003 the group tours Europe with Christian Death and records an album with Valor of Christian Death and Gian Pyres of Cradle of Filth as guest musicians.