All Hails, Claudia!
There we were just minding our own business at the local graveyard when we met our latest Valkyrie, Claudia Sleighter! Claudia is a lover of Melodic Black and Death Metal, and quite a fan of one of the Citadels favourite Portland bands, Unto Others. We hung out next to the tombstones with Claudia to find out more about her, here’s what she had to say:
Introduce yourself for our readers
Hi, my name is Claudia Sleighter, Originally from Colorado but currently living in Pennsylvania. I have two cats and am in the process of befriending the local crows, they come every day to eat at my yard! Things I enjoy include witchcraft, anything nature related, gardening, herbalism, collecting bones and visiting cemeteries wherever I go. You can check me out on Instagram @witchy_womaan and my online shop where I do arts and crafts by recycling and up-cycling what others consider waste, you'll mostly find my avocado pit carvings that I turn into necklace pendants at @ancient_gardens.
Does your town/city/village have a good metal scene?
Unfortunately I live in a very small town, so no metal scene whatsoever. However, back in my hometown Fort Collins, Co. the band Allegaeon was formed, great stuff you should check them out if you haven't already.
What was your first Metal album?
I honestly can't remember, ever since I can remember there was classics in the rock and metal category playing in the background as I grew up, so there was never like a clear moment or album that started it all.
Could you share some of your favorite sub-genres of metal, and why you enjoy them?
This is a hard one since there are so many! I would have to say my top 3 are Melodic Black Metal, Doom Metal and technical Death Metal. I enjoy these because of the different slow/fast rhythms depending on the mood and the topics they may have such as philosophy, death, apocalyptic, depression, science and others.
Who are your top three favourite metal bands/artists at the moment, and what makes them stand out to you?
Hands down my favorite band is Woods of Ypres, they started out as melodic black metal and then made a beautiful transition into doom metal. Woods of Ypres has music and lyrics for every occasion, if you feel broken, encouraged, lonely, disappointed, optimistic, angry.. they have you covered! Second favorite band at the moment would have to be Unto Others, they are a newer band that was really easy to fall in love with. They put out there first full length album in 2019 and quickly gained underground recognition. Their sound plays around with heavy metal and gothic metal, with themes like love, death, and fantasy. It's very hard tie between several bands for third place, but at the moment I will have to say the black metal band Code. For me, it's one of those bands that you can throw on and you just never get tired of it, specifically I love the album Resplendent Grotesque.
As a woman in the metal scene, how do you navigate and overcome any challenges or stereotypes you may encounter?
I don't really feel like there has ever been a moment in my life where I was frowned upon or questioned about my music taste to a degree that I feel the need to address it. Sure I've been stared at and judged, but I feel people will always do it if you tend to look different to them.
Can you tell us about a memorable live metal performance you attended and what made it special for you?
I would say seeing Unto Others in their first tour ever, as I mentioned they are my second favorite band and since I will never get to see my favorite band Woods of Ypres live since mastermind David Gold past, I made it a point to not take bands for granted, specially those who have marked me.
Are there any up-and-coming female-fronted metal bands or artists you'd like to highlight and recommend?
Not anything too recent at the moment, but big shout out to badass Stefanie Mannaerts, female front and drummer of the band Brutus. Such a stunning soft and harsh voice and talented drummer!
What’s your favourite piece of band merchandise or memorabilia?
The Green Album vinyl from Woods of Ypres.
Who is the best vocalist?
I don't judge the technique, but rather how their voice and what they are saying makes me feel, so to mention a few Travis Ryan from Cattle Decapitation, Mat McNerney (Kvohst) from Grave Pleasures/Code, and of course David Gold from Woods of Ypres.
Are there any metal albums that you consider underrated or overlooked?
Sister by In Solitude. Blood on Snow by Eastern Front. La Citta Del Tre Volti by Goblin Hovel. Aokigahara MMXXII by Harakiri for the Sky. Under a Frozen Sun by Thulcandra. November Coming Fire by Samhain.
How do you connect with other metalheads and the metal community?
Mostly online in metal groups on social media, occasionally going to shows with friends.
Are there any local bands that you would recommend for our heathen readers?
Not any local bands that I know of here where I currently live.
Have you got any tattoos or piercings
Any favourite or cool ones you want to share the meaning of? I have 4 tattoos they don't have a deeper meaning other than being things I love and nature related.
What’s your favourite band shirt?
Cattle Decapitation did a limited edition shirt of a cat licking its bloody paw in front of a pile of human bodies, a donation from the sales was made to Metal Meowlisha, which is a cat rescue.
What is your drink of choice?
Cheap light beer all the way haha or vodka shots!
This or That
Satanism or Paganism
Paganism.
Slayer or Black Sabbath?
Slayer.
Corpse paint or leather jackets?
Leather jackets.
Blast beats or guitar solos?
Blast beats.
Metal festival or intimate underground show?
Intimate underground show
We at the Citadel want to thank Claudia for stepping foot in our moldy Citadel and taking the time to share her thoughts.
