Great sludge/stoner/doom metal albums featuring powerful vocal performances by great front women.

Jucifer, L’autrichienne

Dark Castle, Spirited Migration

Acid King, III

Bloody Panda, Summon

Damad, Burning Cold

Kylesa, Static Tensions

Made out of Babies, Trophy

Rwake, Voices of Omens

Neurosis & Jarboe, Self-Titled

Mares of Thrace, The Moulting

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TRAILBLAZERS: VICTORIA SCALISI

Savannah might have a hot scene right now, but 20 short years ago, this sleepy Georgia town was on nobody’s radar. A bright-eyed Neurosis fanatic named Phillip Cope was hell-bent on changing this, so he formed Damad, the first and only band of its kind in the area. Since then, Phil has found a certain level of fame with Kylesa thanks to the help of Laura Pleasants, but just as Adam had Lillith before he was given Eve, Phil also had a muse long before Laura showed up: Damad vocalist Victoria Scalisi.

With her long, unruly brown hair flying wildly and her monster-sized death growls, Victoria was a force of nature on stage. She looked and sounded intimidating, almost in a “don’t even THINK about fucking with me” sort of way. Damad several full length albums, 2000’s Burning Cold being the most notable. However, the band parted ways in 2001, and Phil quickly formed Kylesa with Laura in place of Victoria (Phil is the only Damad member left in Kylesa as of 2011).

Victoria briefly fronted Karst before retiring from music. Damad played one reunion show in 2006 but have no plans to tour or record new material. Today, Victoria is keeping a low profile in Savannah. I’ve heard that she is managing other local bands, but my information might be inaccurate. Whatever her whereabouts, she will be remembered for her powerful vocal delivery and larger-than-life persona.

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