Former Cradle Of Filth keyboardist / backing vocalist Lindsay Schoolcraft has issued the following update:

"Come a join me at 2PM EST on Sunday, August 30th live here on Facebook to hear me perform songs from the new album, Worlds Away. I’ll be taking your questions and sharing stories behind the songs. The pre-order is still happening with personally signed items and much more here. Have a great weekend and see you then!"

Schoolcraft will take part in the 2nd Edition Sinister Cyber Con, coming October 17th and 18th. This online event in 100% free. Lindsay will perform live and take part in a Q&A panel time is scheduled for October 17th between 5 pm - 6 pm, PST. Go to this location for more details.

Though coronavirus has forced us indoors, music still flows. In the case of Canadian multi-instrumentalist Lindsay Schoolcraft, she chose to look back on her gothic metal past and reimagine it in an entirely new light. She has lent her talents to an astounding variety of bands, ranging from Cradle of Filth’s extreme metal to Mary and the Black Lamb’s alt-rock, as well as leading her own project. Last year she released her début solo album, Martyr, which received a Juno nomination in the category of Heavy/Hard Sound Album of the Year.

This year’s project, however, is a different entity. Lindsay has made no secret of her love of playing electric harp, which she has combined with string arrangements for a completely different take on her discography. The result -Worlds Away. Here, she reunites with collaborator Rocky Gray (original drummer of Evanescence, who co-wrote Martyr). His subtle electronic beats add a cinematic tone, such as on “Stranger”, or thundering on album closer "Warn Me". The lilting harp and strings, meanwhile, concoct a fantasy soundtrack atmosphere akin to Loreena McKennitt or Sarah Brightman. Each instrument vies for attention, creating various moods: "Where I Fall" is a strings-driven dark-pop ballad, whereas the harp-tinkling "Masquerade" indulges in musical theater.

Most of the tracks draw from her previous works, but there are two unfamiliar faces. The title track opens the album with Lindsay’s breathy vocals accompanied by her harp. Her singing is a highlight of this record, especially when ascending into the upper echelons during stunning choruses such as on "Fading Star". Many critics have compared her emotive voice to the likes of Sharon den Adel or Amy Lee. The other, "Dance On The Strings", signifies the final completion of a song that had been sitting in her lyric book for over a decade. It deals with toxic manipulation, and the dark strings in the song feel analogous to the strings the narrator can see are controlling the victim.

This record may be worlds away from what you know of Lindsay Schoolcraft, but that works to its credit. The songs sound vibrant, and it is impressive that without listening to the original versions, one would never be able to tell these were re-workings.Worlds Away is simply beautiful and calming, and an excellent way to unwind in these challenging times, while appreciating the talent that has gone into it.

The tracklist is as follows:

"Worlds Away"    
"Saviour"
"Darkness-Falls"
"Fading Star"
"Stranger"
"Where I Fall"
"Dance On The Strings"    
"Dangerous Game"
"Your Mind"
"Masquerade"
"Warn Me"

Photo: Matt Throop Photography