The Birthday Massacre

A Canadian darkwave ensemble who combine electronica, goth, and new wave, the Birthday Massacre emerged in 2000 under the moniker Imajica, and officially transitioned to their current name in time for the release of their 2002 debut, Nothing and Nowhere. They found mainstream success in the 2010s with the albums Hide and Seek (2012) and Under Your Spell (2017), both of which charted at home and abroad, and in 2020 they released their eighth studio effort, the dark and atmospheric Diamonds.

The Birthday Massacre formed in London, Ontario, as Imagica — taken from the fantasy/horror novel of the same name by author Clive Barker. The founding lineup comprised frontwoman Chibi, guitarists Rainbow and M. Falcore, bassist Aslan, keyboardist Dank, and percussionist O.E. After recording a seven-song demo session, Dank left Imagica and the remaining members relocated to Toronto, where a second demo release followed in mid-2001. Upon renaming themselves the Birthday Massacre, the group issued their debut LP, Nothing & Nowhere, in the summer of 2002. With the resignation of O.E., the lineup welcomed keyboardist Adm and percussionist Rhim before recording a follow-up EP, 2004’s Violet. Adm quit the Birthday Massacre prior to an expanded European release of Violet on the German Repo label; in 2005, the band signed to the Metropolis imprint to issue the disc in North America and the U.K., adding keyboardist O-en for a tour of Western Europe.

In 2007, the group released their third album, Walking with Strangers, on Metropolis, then set out on tour with Mindless Self Indulgence and Julien-K. Three years later, the band issued 2010’s Pins and Needles, followed up quickly by an EP, Imaginary Monsters, in 2011. Following 2012’s Hide and Seek, which enjoyed modest chart success and a warm critical reception, the Birthday Massacre turned to their fans to help crowdfund their sixth album, Superstition. Released in late 2014, the record was supported by a major North American tour as well as tours of Brazil and the U.K. Compiling original four-track demos from their early days, Imagica appeared in 2016. It was followed in the summer of 2017 by the studio album Under Your Spell, which made a strong showing on multiple U.S. Billboard charts. Three years later, the band returned with the brooding and mystical Diamonds, which also coincided with their 20th anniversary.