Happy Halloween, girls and ghouls! In honor of Devil's Night, I've dug up some of my favorite demons. As many of our long time readers may know, Philadelphia is by far my favorite scene in America. Unlike most cities these days, they aren't afraid to keep it raw and nasty. Today, we have members of two frightening locals, Generation Empty and Oshian.

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Before we continue, this issue will mark the end of season one! I'd like to extend my gratitude to the 60+ guitarists, bassists, drummers, and photographers that have taken part in The Torch. As well, an extra specie thanks to Kuza for creating The Torch's logo, and our amazing editors who manage to make sense of chaos every month. Season two of The Torch will premier April 26. Now, enjoy our annual Halloween Special!

 

Meryl "LJ" DeWitt: Since we've got a few different bands here, please introduce yourself and your role in your band. And, to keep in theme, tell me which classic monster is your spirit animal. (ex.: werewolves, vampires, demons, so on)

 

Noxx (bass - Generation Empty): I'm gonna be super cliché and go with vampires. When you grow up on Lost Boys, how could you want to be anything else?

 

Tox (vocals/keys - Generation Empty): I'd say demon. Or a vampire. I guess whatever it is, as long as it flies.

 

Zero (guitars - Generation Empty): My classic monster spirit animal would have to be vampires.

 

Justin Adams (vocals/guitar - Oshian):  I'd say a vampire. They just look sexy and are so mysterious. 

 

LJ: Good or bad, what's the most memorable Halloween story you have?

 

Noxx: Being like, 6 years old and begging to go to this haunted house. I walked in there like I owned the place...And my parents have never let me live down being scared to tears halfway through.

 

Tox: I've never really been scared by haunted houses or anything, but I want to. So, one year I decided to drop a bit of acid before we headed out and finally got the experience I was after. I've never had so much fun, except maybe watching other people get that scared.

 

Zero: Best Halloween memory is Dracula’s Ball 2015. It was just a good night of hanging out with friends and seeing/hanging out with Combichrist and The Birthday Massacre.

 

Justin: I have tons of memories from Halloween, but always what comes to mind is the Hershey Thousand Trails Haunted Trail. I've done it for many years. Two years ago we had some rum and made up a song and dance called "When the Rum Kicks In". There's a short video of it on my Facebook I'm tagged in for those interested. 

 

LJ: Your favorite – or at least most entertaining to share – Halloween costume you’ve had so far?

 

Noxx: I wish I had pictures of it, because I was a mean Catwoman as a kid (The Michelle Pfieffer costume).

 

Tox: I got sent home from elementary school (Catholic school) for going in full-on drag for Halloween. Apparently they draw the line at little boys in lipstick.

 

Zero: Most entertaining would probably be Pinhead, just something about hearing little kids scream when they see I have hundreds of nails sticking out of my head and face that makes me smile.

 

Justin: I really don't do costumes persay. I just mix and match a bunch of different odd things and claim it's a costume. 

 

LJ: Favorite candy to receive trick-or-treating as a kid?

 

Noxx: Anything chocolate, especially Twix.

 

Tox: I'm a huge gummy fan! If it's artificial and tastes like chemical fruit, I'll take it.

 

Zero: Unfortunately, I’ve never been a big candy eater, but it was always nice to get some extra dark chocolate, boring I know…

 

Justin: For sure Twix.

 

LJ: Any Halloween traditions? Anything from store hopping, haunted houses, putting out a certain decoration every year, or even just raiding the discount candy on November 1st.

 

Noxx: Since my birthday is Nov 1st, I've had Halloween parties as far back as I can remember. So to this day I always hit at least one Haunt and spend a whole day watching horror movies/Halloween flicks with a birthday cake.

 

Tox: Do post-Halloween party hangovers count?

 

Zero: Haunted attractions, buying “Halloween” decorations aka everyday house decorations, and Dracula’s Ball.

 

Justin: Really just the Haunted Trail I do at the campground. 

 

LJ: Favorite horror movies to get you in the mood for Halloween?

 

Noxx: It varies, but The Shining, Nightmare on Elm St, Evil Dead/Army of Darkness, and Tucker and Dale Vs Evil are always on the list.

 

Zero: The Lost Boys, Hellraiser, House on Haunted Hill, Cemetery Man, and Return of the Living Dead, the list goes on and on and on.

 

Justin: Honestly none really. I feel in the spirit all year round.

 

LJ: Top 3 rock/metal songs that capture the Halloween spirit for you?

 

Noxx: Shadow Windhawk & the Morticians - "1428", Marilyn Manson - "I Put a Spell On You", Type O Negative "12 Black Rainbows"

 

Tox: Type O Negative - "Halloween in Heaven", Rob Zombie anything, Murderdolls - "Graverobbing USA"

 

Zero: Misfits - "Dig Up Her Bones", King Diamond - "Halloween", Type O Negative - "All Hallows Eve"

 

Justin: "This Is Halloween", "Dracula" "The Beautiful People" 

 

LJ: Would you ever dare to play a haunted venue? Consider the fact that you’re risking getting damaged equipment, having a live show ruined, or even being crushed by a falling speaker. That is, if you believe in spirits…

 

Noxx: I'd say yes in a second! The guys probably wouldn't be too thrilled, but I'd be into it. -lol-

 

Tox: Totally! I don't really believe in ghosts, but maybe we'd get a weird story out of it.

 

Zero: Absolutely.

 

Justin: I'd be cool with it if I didn't have deal with damaged equipment or being crushed. I can't say I do believe since I never actually had a paranormal experience. But I find the paranormal very interesting. 

 

LJ: Some artists feel as if they actually get possessed while playing. Whether it be on stage or off, have you ever had a paranormal experience?

 

Noxx: I don't get 'possessed' on stage like some musicians do, but I definitely believe in the paranormal. I grew up in a house on a piece of land that used to be part of a huge farm, apparently a couple people hanged  themselves on our property way back. Maybe I was just an over imaginative kid, but I definitely remember some weird things happening. Things would move from room to room, lights would turn off at random, doors would fall open, that sort of stuff.

 

Tox: I regularly black out on stage, the whole thing is a blur. Maybe it's just the adrenaline rush, but the first song kicks in and the next thing I know it's all over. I guess you could say that's being possessed by the music?

 

Zero: Yes, I have. Most memorable would be at Embreeville Asylum. Something about going there alone and walking out with scratch marks from nails/claws that has always attracted me to this place.

 

Justin: In a way, yes. I get lost in my music sometimes and do things I wouldn't normally do off stage. 

 

LJ: Lastly, as always, any last words for your fans?

 

Justin: Thanks, guys! You all rule whether you know it or not. 

 

Noxx: Stay creepy, take candy from strangers, and we'll see you on the road in 2018!

 

Tox: Thanks for all our fans support and love, we can't wait to give you new music soon!

 

Zero: To our fans, thanks for all the support, can’t wait to get back out and see you all again. To anyone who hasn’t heard of us before, I hope you check out our album The Art of Dehumanization and hope to see you out in a city near you.

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Want more of these ghouls?

Click here to read our previous Oshian interview

Click here to watch our previous Generation Empty interview

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Still not enough Halloween?

Click here to read last year's issue with Skiver, Attraction to Tragedy, & Farewell, My Love