chicago alternative metal band erzulie make music to celebrate the fierceness of femininity

Chicago is a hotbed for music talent at the moment, but most of the focus has been on the city’s hip hop artists. Erzulie is aiming to change all that. Blending thrash metal, indie rock, jazz and their own version of Chicago alternative metal for a truly melodic and abrasive sound, Erzulie is truly one of a kind. The name Erzulie comes from the deity (or L’wa) of the same name, found in the Haitian Vodou religion, befitting the type of energy their music evokes. The L’wa Erzulie is a rather complex deity who can be the sweetest of lovers to the most terrifying of mother spirits and that tension is a perfect description of the sweet sounds of the lead vocalist amidst rapidfire drums and grinding guitar riffs. Seeking first to honor the feminine spirit of art and creation while also affirming that the feminine spirit is not always delicate or passive, but also as destructive as nature itself, Erzulie is about as feminist as you can get without making it their schtick or gimmick. Stream their EP “The Black Blood: Genesis” below and considering purchasing it via Bandcamp.

By T. McLendon, AFROPUNK Contributor