Living Dead Girl, the Orlando-based metal outfit, has been stirring up a storm lately. First, they’ve unleashed a brand new video for their track “Ugly,” and earlier this month, they kicked off a massive U.S. tour, rising from their Floridian tomb to haunt stages across the U.S.
The tour’s first riffs echoed through their home state, but the band didn’t linger long in that ol familiar territory. They’ve been creeping across the map, leaving a trail of awesome performances, and some great merch I must say, in their wake. A few nights ago, their dark pilgrimage brought them to Detroit, Michigan. And for them, the chosen venue for them to haunt, was Smalls. As fate would have it, I found myself drawn to the show, ready to see the resurrection of Living Dead Girl on Detroit soil.
As I made my way into Smalls, I couldn’t resist swinging by the merch table. This is a band that has always knocked it out of the park with their merchandise, and this night they had some goodies that was no exception. The spread before me was a feast for the eyes, blending adorable and metal in a way only Molly can pull off.
This is a band who has table loaded with an array of items that will have you reaching for your wallet. Stickers caught my eye first, some Ouija board inspired designs, guitar picks were scattered about, buttons and pins in the shape of tiny coffins begged to be added to jackets and bags. And of course patches stood ready to transform plain denim into spooky masterpiece. It’s cute, it’s cool, and it’s undeniably metal. The artwork has such a great and unique aesthetic, a perfect blend of the macabre and the charming.
And speaking of adorable and metal, that brings us to Molly Rennick, Living Dead Girl’s frontwoman, who absolutely owned the stage. One thing that struck me, seeing her perform live, was her incredible vocal range and versatility. Molly effortlessly shifts between clean singing and harsh vocals, a skill that’s impressive on recordings but truly shines in a live setting.
And I feel this is a fundamental part of the bands sound and identity. Molly’s ability to switch between styles mirrors the band’s fusion of various genre influences, creating a unique experience.
But it’s not just about the sound and their awesome music. Molly’s stage presence is a visual representation of this duality. One moment, she’s the picture of cuteness engaging with the crowd. The next, she transforms into a witchy powerhouse, her voice and demeanor shifting to match. It’s like watching two different performers inhabiting the same space, yet it’s all Molly. It brings this real Jekyll and Hyde feel.
This contrast is what makes Living Dead Girl stand out. They’re not afraid to embrace seemingly opposite elements – cute and brutal, melodic and aggressive. Molly embodies this perfectly, and seeing it play out on stage made for an amazing night. This show was a blast from start to finish. The energy they brought to the stage was infectious, and I found myself completely caught up Molls’ charm and performance. For those who would like to catch one of their shows, the band has plenty of upcoming dates.
Tonight, they’ll be haunting Gainesville, GA, before wrapping up this leg of the tour in their stomping grounds of Orlando on the 28th. Shortly after that, they will be taking a quick breather before they rise again in mid-August, this time crossing borders to play a string of shows in Canada. They’ll then take a short break in October, to recharge their supernatural batteries, before emerging once more to play a few dates around their home state of Florida.
I can’t stress enough how much fun this band is live. Their creativity shines through in every aspect of their performance, from the music itself to their stage presence and even their merch. If you have the chance to catch them on any of these upcoming dates, don’t hesitate. Living Dead Girl puts on a show that’s both headbanging and spellbinding, and it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
