Ludicra

VINYL FORMAT. The San Francisco-based quintet Ludicra specializes in straight-ahead black metal (i.e., no gothic keyboards, pagan folk influences, or electronic leanings) in a style influenced by bands such as Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, Dodheimsgard, and Bethlehem. The group formed in 1999 and consists of guitarist John Cobbett (Hammers of Misfortune and the Lord Weird Slough Feg), guitarist/vocalist Christy Cather, bassist Ross Sewage (also of Impaled and formerly of Exhumed), vocalist Laurie Sue Shanaman, and drummer Aesop. Their original lineup included another member, Jesika Christ (also formally of the Bay Area death/black metal band Sangre Amado), who is credited with writing some of the material on the first Ludicra album.