All Hails, Elizabeth!
You may have seen this Valkyrie on stage at a Midnight concert, as she is one of the vixens that helps create a Midnight live gig into an unforgettable Metal experience! We’ve had a few questions about Elizabeth, aka @elizabeth_bathory on Instagram, in the past and we finally got the opportunity to talk to her so here’s what this badass shield-maiden had to say:
Introduce yourself to our readers, Elizabeth
My name is Elizabeth, and I am a dancer and model from Philadelphia.
How did you get into Metal, what drew you to the scene?
As a teenager I was heavily into skate punk and hardcore, especially NYHC bands like Sick of it All and the Cro-Mags. It was the late 90’s/early 2000’s in Philadelphia and at that time nu-metal was being born in the mainstream and local hardcore bands like All Else Failed and Bad Luck 13 were creating cross-over music, metal-core. Then, at the same time, in the other direction, I was witnessing the early part of emo-hardcore and screamo.
I saw bands like Poison the Well and A Life Once Lost at the Killtime in Philly. My natural instincts and taste just drew me towards the more metal side at that point, and especially the live shows interested me more, like the emotion of the performers, stage presence and even the energy of the audience .The unity, politics and point of view associated with American Hardcore had lost me, possibly because I’m a woman, but it didn’t hold onto my interest the way that metal music always could all through my adulthood. I can connect to metal.
Could you share some of your favourite sub-genres of metal, and why you enjoy them?
Black Rock’n’Roll is my favorite metal sub-genre. I love Midnight, Satyricon, (and) Poison Idea. They just hit a groove with me. It’s not stupid or some kind of edgelord charade, just true music and there isn’t one sound or theme to sum it up. I’m a stripper and I dance to a lot of hard rock and heavy metal from the 70’s and 80’s who do the same thing for me, like Witchfinder General, Judas Priest, KISS and Pentagram. Black Rock’n’Roll is biker.
As a woman in the metal scene, how do you navigate and overcome any challenges or stereotypes you may encounter?
There’s assholes everywhere, I go where I’m supported. I have lost some good band relationships that ended on account of break-ups which is pretty much sexist bullshit but, they weren’t my bands to begin with so I just moved on.
I have had great experiences working with Midnight as a dancer and performer in their music videos, with Vanik and Noah B. from Nunslaughter as song and music video collaborators, with Heretic as a model. You have to create your own opportunities to connect with music and find people on your level to work with.
Are there any up-and-coming female-fronted metal bands or artists you'd like to highlight and recommend?
Definitely Heavy Temple. Elyse is cool as shit and in like six good bands. She recently played my club with Dirty Dealer and it was sleazy. I love her.
I also have an EP, called Wasted Prospects. I wrote lyrics during the pandemic and Vanik wrote and recorded the music at Mercinary. It’s only available on YouTube. Im currently writing new lyrics.
Finish this sentence: “____________ is the sexiest Metal artist alive!
Athenar 💦
Are there any local bands that you would recommend for our heathen readers?
Rubbish, YDI, Bastard Cröss, Dirty Dealer, Gravespitter
How should a fellow metalhead approach you if they want to know more about your metal tastes?
I’m not really a snob, but don’t come at me talking about you also love country and Pearl Jam.
Have you got any epic tattoos or piercings? Any favourite or cool ones you want to share the meaning of?
I’ve got a bunch of tattoos, my favorite is the dragon on my leg by my artist Nagle who does all my work. He’s really sick and also a metal head, check him out! (@nagletattoo on instagram).
What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen or done at a gig?
I blew Athenar on stage.
What’s your favourite band shirt?
My purple sparkle print Sabbat “Evoke” shirt.
Rapid Fire Round!!!
Satanism or Paganism
Im a Satanist.
Elf or Orc
I’d rather fuck an elf tbh I’m in a sawft kind of era.
Corpse paint or leather jackets?
Either or both just be shirtless.
Blast beats or guitar solos?
Guitars.
Metal festival or intimate underground show?
Fests are cool and beneficial for many reasons but I don’t drink and I came up in DIY venues so I’d always rather be at the show.
Thank you for joining the ranks of the Valkyries of the Citadel, Elizabeth. Do you have any last words, bands you'd like to highlight, or shout-out about an enterprise you've got going?
Sorry, that’s classified.
We at The Citadel want to thank Elizabeth for taking the time to answer our questions, and give us some insight into her favourite bands, and metal experiences. Welcome into the folds of the Valkyries. RIDE INTO THE FRAY!
