All Hails, Karla!
Karla is a metalhead from Romania, the birthplace of Dracula, with half-Hungarian, half-Palestinian roots, now crushing the UK scene. Metal's raw energy, taboo-challenging lyrics, and unapologetic noise drew her in like a bat to the night. Despite dealing with stereotypes and the occasional mosh pit-induced piercing loss, she faces it all with the same attitude: fuck it, and keep going. Check out what Karla had to say when she sat in our overly mouldy Citadel.
Introduce yourself for our readers - tell us where you hail from?
Hello, dear readers, my name is Karla and I hail all the way from Romania, yes, the home of Castle Bran and Dracula. Funnily enough, I am not at all Romanian by blood, just born and raised there, but half Hungarian (which is the home of Erzsebet Báthory) and half Palestinian (unfortunately we all know about the genocide my people have been going through there, which we should raise awareness about). I currently live in the UK, but I'm proud of my heritage and I feel like my cultural mix, has heavily influenced me as a person and also the way I express myself though the dark and macabre fashion and lifestyle.
Does your town/city/village have a good metal scene?
I'm from Timisoara, specifically, it has a lot of ups and downs, but it undoubtedly has a devoted community. It suffered a lot because of the economic situation, but it always manages to bring to life new venues and pubs, which hold amazing underground gigs.
How did you discover your love for metal music, and what drew you to the genre?
This is a very good question, however it is a bit hard to answer, since I always been attracted to the taboo and always tried to dive into the unknown, seek truth and knowledge in places that aren't so commonly approached. I think it started with the music for me. I've been very passionate about it and I loved how the carefully crafted sound of rock, metal, punk and all their sub-genres evoked more than an urge to mindlessly dance/headbang, but also to self reflect, to feel something and usually brought to the surface questions and societal issues as well as psychological issues, through lyrics, that aren't the norm as much in other genres of music. Then of course, the literature and other forms of art like cinematography.
Who are your top three favourite metal bands/artists at the moment, and what makes them stand out to you?
At the moment: Bad Omens, I'm also revisiting Woods Of Ypres and Cult Of Occult.
As a woman in the metal scene, how do you navigate and overcome any challenges or stereotypes you may encounter?
As a woman, I did encounter all sorts of stereotypes and unpleasantness, but I try to deal with it, by challenging and educating the people who express that, of it doesn't work, than I just end up not giving a f*ck haha.
You’re at a gig do you mosh, stand at the front crushed against the barriers, or stand in the back arms folded nodding along?
I usually headbang in the middle kinda or the side of the crowd.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done at a gig?
I got into a mosh pit at a big festival, with hundreds of [people] in it and ended up being punched by accident and losing my piercings haha it was my fault, I over estimated my strength to keep up.
Are there any up-and-coming female-fronted metal bands or artists you'd like to highlight and recommend?
Asagraum, Dymna Lotva and Myrkur.
What’s your favourite piece of band merchandise or memorabilia?
I think my heartagram, yes, I had the basic H.I.M. obsession phase.
Are there any metal albums that you consider underrated or overlooked?
Young And In The Way - When Life Comes To Death.
How should a fellow metalhead approach you if they want to know more about your metal tastes?
By being polite and genuinely interested to share our passion.
Have you got any tattoos or piercings? Any favourite or cool ones you want to share the meaning of?
Unfortunately no my piercings are meaningless and I haven't got tattoos yet.
What’s your drink of choice?
Pornstar Martini.
What’s your favourite band shirt
It's from a band called Clouds and maybe my Gorgoroth one, since I got it from my best friend as a birthday gift and it was one of the forst bands to introduce me to black metal.
This or That:
Satanism or Paganism?
Paganism
Slayer or Black Sabbath?
Black Sabbath
Elf or Orc?
Elf
Corpse paint or leather jackets?
Leather jackets
Blast beats or guitar solos?
Blast beats
Metal festival or intimate underground show?
This is hard,I can't really choose haha
Bullet belt or spiked wristbands?
Bullet belt
We’d like to thank Karla for taking the time to talk to us and join the Valkyries of the Citadel.
