Raised by Bats | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 2014 | |||
Recorded | 2013 | |||
Genre | Deathrock, gothic rock, dark wave | |||
Length | 40:37 | |||
Label | Mars Needs Music | |||
Producer | Voltaire | |||
Voltaire chronology | ||||
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Raised by Bats is the tenth studio album by Cuban American dark cabaret singer Voltaire, released in 2014. [1] The album's production was crowdfunded by Voltaire's fans all over the world via a successful Indiegogo campaign; it would reach US$53,793, surpassing its originally intended goal of US$10,000. [2] The album is a major departure of Voltaire's musical style; instead of his usual dark cabaret style, Raised by Bats is more deathrock- and gothic rock-oriented. According to Voltaire in his official website:
In truth, it's a tour of all of the kinds of music I loved growing up. There are songs on this album that are goth rock, deathrock, new wave, New Romantic, dark wave and dark folk. It's the album I've always wanted to make. Some of the songs were written as far back as 1984, when I was 17 years old! [3]
Raised by Bats is, thus far, the album by Voltaire that most features guest musicians: among them are Ray Toro of My Chemical Romance fame, Craig Adams of The Mission and The Sisters of Mercy, Melora Creager of Rasputina and much more.
The track "The Night" was previously featured on Voltaire's 2000 album Almost Human ; he first wrote it in 1988.
"The Conqueror Worm" takes its name and lyrics from Edgar Allan Poe's eponymous poem.
"The Devil and Mr. Jones" is a tribute to American actor Doug Jones, famous for portraying Abe Sapien in Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy films (Del Toro is also mentioned on the song's lyrics). He also portrayed the faun in Pan's Labyrinth .
"Sacrifice" was written in memory of one of Voltaire's friends, who killed herself when both were teenagers.
"Captains All" is a tribute to one of Voltaire's idols, British musician Adam Ant, famous for being the frontman of now-deceased post-punk/new wave band Adam and the Ants. [4]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Raised by Bats" | 3:30 |
2. | "Oh, My Goth!" | 3:12 |
3. | "The Night" | 4:51 |
4. | "The Masquerade" | 4:38 |
5. | "The Devil and Mr. Jones" (feat. Julia Marcell) | 5:40 |
6. | "Sacrifice" | 5:23 |
7. | "The Conqueror Worm" | 4:18 |
8. | "Wake Up (From This Horrible Dream)" (feat. Chibi) | 4:53 |
9. | "Never" | 4:32 |
10. | "Captains All" | 4:39 |
Marcell, Creager and Viglione collaborated with Voltaire previously.
Guest vocals in "Oh, My Goth!" were provided by The Crüxshadows, Bella Morte, Ego Likeness (on their second collaboration with Voltaire since 2004's Then and Again ), Zombina and the Skeletones and Angelspit.
Gothic rock is a style of rock music that emerged from post-punk in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The first post-punk bands which shifted toward dark music with gothic overtones include Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, Bauhaus, and the Cure.
Deathrock is a rock music subgenre incorporating horror elements and gothic theatrics. It emerged from punk rock on the West Coast of the United States in the early 1980s and overlaps with the gothic rock and horror punk genres. Notable deathrock acts include Christian Death, Kommunity FK, 45 Grave, and Super Heroines.
Melora Creager is an American cellist, singer-songwriter, performing artist and founder of the rock band Rasputina.
Craig David Adams is an English musician, bass guitarist and songwriter. Over his career he has worked with a variety of rock bands, the most notable being the Sisters of Mercy and the Mission.
Kommunity FK is an American post-punk/gothic rock band which formed in 1978. The band helped establish what came to be known as the deathrock scene in Los Angeles.
Raymond Toro is an American musician who serves as lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the band My Chemical Romance.
Brian Viglione is an American drummer best known for his work with The Dresden Dolls and Violent Femmes. For a short time, he was also a member of New York City's cabaret punk orchestra The World/Inferno Friendship Society.
Cabin Fever! is the third studio album by Rasputina released in 2002 with Instinct Records. It is noteworthy for its use of industrial influences, particularly the distorted cello.
Almost Human is the second studio album by Cuban American dark cabaret singer Voltaire, released on August 1, 2000, through Projekt Records.
Boo Hoo is the third studio album by Cuban American dark cabaret musician Aurelio Voltaire, released on May 14, 2002, through Projekt Records. According to Voltaire, he began writing songs for the album after his then-girlfriend broke up with him; dealing with it in a sometimes satirical and irreverent, sometimes introspective and sentimental manner, most of the album's songs are about loss, heartbreak, remorse and attempts to overcome her.
Then and Again is the fourth studio album by Cuban American dark cabaret singer Voltaire, released on October 26, 2004, through Projekt Records. Contrasting with most of Voltaire's albums, on which his songs are mostly humorous and satirical, Then and Again features more serious and introspective songs, dealing about love, heartbreak and the human condition.
Ooky Spooky is the fifth studio album by Cuban American dark cabaret/Dark Wave singer Voltaire. It was released on July 31, 2007 by Projekt Records, being the last Voltaire album to do so, since his contract with Projekt Records expired. Voltaire has stated that he wanted this album to be more fun and silly, as opposed to his more serious albums, Almost Human (2000) and Boo-Hoo (2002).
Aurelio Voltaire Hernández, professionally known as Aurelio Voltaire or simply Voltaire, is a Cuban-American musician, singer, composer, author, and animator. Known for his gothic style of dress and music, Voltaire is considered a leading figure in the dark cabaret music genre. He has released 13 studio albums, including Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children (2011), BiTrektual (2012), and Raised by Bats (2014). He has also created songs for the Cartoon Network animated series The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2001–2007).
Zombina and the Skeletones are an English rock band from Liverpool, formed in 1998 around the nucleus of vocalist Zombina and songwriter Doc Horror. They released their latest album, The Call of Zombina, on 11 October 2024.
To the Bottom of the Sea is the sixth studio album by Cuban American dark cabaret singer Voltaire. It was released in 2008, and would be the first album by Voltaire to be released through his then-newly founded label Mars Needs Music. It is a loose concept album, set in the fictional country of Vorutania.
mittageisen is a Swiss dark wave band of the early 1980s.
Julia Marcell is a Polish singer-songwriter and pianist.
Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children is the eighth studio album by dark cabaret singer Aurelio Voltaire, released on September 2, 2011. Beginning with this album, Voltaire would start releasing his material under the moniker "Aurelio Voltaire", in order to avoid confusion with other acts also called "Voltaire".
Rasputina is an American rock band based in New York City, known for an unconventional music style, as well as a fascination with historical allegories and fashion, especially those pertaining to the Victorian era.
Luis Mojica is a musician & somatic therapist. He began developing his musical style in New York City's East Village. In 2012, he moved upstate to the Hudson Valley.