I was doing my usual search of MP3 artists at www.mp3.com this afternoon which consists of skimming song titles and band names for something unique, or traditional, or just pleasant to lose myself in. Generally I am fully capable of spending hours merely reading descriptions of songs, downloading them, listening, frowning, and then deleting them from my computer. Occasionally though, that delete button is not pushed. And thus was I taken to the city of Sodom.
I should first warn you that this group is not for the weak of heart. The music is mature, the lyrics are explicit in most cases, and the overall imagery produced by the combination of both is sexy, twisted, and flat-out kinky. Kink is definitely what the Women of Sodom are all about.
So I downloaded a song- a track titled "Jews and Arabs Become Friends," which is their theme song and which they describe as "Middle Eastern Harem Exotica" - frankly there is no other way to put it. The song began with a strong beat and then added layers of both Eastern traditional vocals and electronic instrumentalisation that is at once ancient and completely modern. The sound was rich and mysterious. Okay, so obviously I liked it… and proceeded to download the rest of their offerings and listen intently. And I was trapped.
The Women of Sodom are performance artists extraordinaire. The warning page of their web site reads:
Sodom… I was trapped in Sodom. Leather, impossibly high-heeled rubber boots, red lips, male slaves on leashes, and enema bags. Yes, enema bags. Utmost sin, ultimate filth, extreme sex. And some poor guy dressed up in a maid's uniform. What had I stumbled blindly into? This was certainly not where I expected to find myself after absently perusing song titles.
Basically this is a rundown on their music: speudo-Eastern and/or Germanic techno mixed with some dance, lounge, and a smattering of ky jelly. Their art? Titilation in the meanest sense. Think "sado-masochistic romp meets quasi-talent in a very dark alley that smells strongly of urine" which may be otherwise interpreted as "Marilyn Manson meets the Spice Girls."
Ilsa von Bulow heads this motley crew of artists as lead vocalist and co-producer of their sound with Xavier Dietrich II right behind (wearing his little maid's uniform… awwwwww.) Other members include Anneka de Rocquefort (vocals); Bunny Peculiar (vocals); Jane Bondage (guitar); Ingrid (vocals, violin); Zemya (vocals); Felicia St, Cyr (vocals); Zina and Katrina (strictly live action); some enema nurses, and a bellydancer named Sahar. Also the Women of Sodom have their slaves Lex Goodbody (the human drum), Pee Man, Damien, and James. They also carry around their own photo perv, Glen Wurz.
What more could you want?
Well I'll tell you! What is kink without some form of heretical behavior? Blasphemy is definitely on the menu. Their song "A Valentine to Jesus" is a sensual jab at the Catholic Church, yet a benign jab. Ultimately it's theme is having faith in something and then having that thing you have faith in become ugly to you. Which is highly prevalent in today's society. Unfortunately some of their other work is not as meaningful. On the whole the sound is great, but the lyrics/ dialogue leave something to be desired. Perhaps I am over critical of their other pieces due to my definite affinity for "A Valentine…" but hey, this is musical pornography at its best, and who ever associated pornography with words?
I am hooked, I'll admit that now. And this is from the gal whose favourite band is the Counting Crows, so if I like it, possibly you might as well. Or the Women of Sodom will offend your sensibilities. In either case they are intriguing, intelligent, and out and out fun…