Joan’s sophomore full length album “Dies Irae”
was unleashed on December 10, 2021.
The album is a ten track tapestry of gothic, historic, and Victorian/Belle Epoque fantasy interwoven with personal themes.
The title track is inspired from the “Dies Irae” of the requiem mass, in which Joan puts her own fiery twist on.
This album is a journey through Belle Epoque Paris, the Wild West, and England.
The listener will meet characters along the way.
Some live in the dirty Saloons of the West, while others exist in the places where the Underworld meets high society.
Eerie puppeteers and beautiful acrobats from the Cirque Fernando come to life.
Characters of a gothic fairytale, told long ago, will also resurface.
Fans of Joan’s debut album “Drown Ophelia”, will find this new release harder, darker, and louder. Musically, there is the blending of multiple genres namely classical and hard rock styles that creates a dreamy and eerie harmony.
Two videos from Dies Irae are now on Youtube:
“Dies Irae” CDs here
or digital here.
Joan Avant is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter who writes and creates music in a style of Victorian Gothic Symphonic Rock. Her music combines the glam of Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge, the nasty rock sounds of symphonic metal, but is tailored and trimmed in the delicate lace of romantic chamber music. Joan's sound has been described as “spooky beautiful.” There is a darkness behind the bombastic, manic, and unrelenting tunes. Melancholia is infused with a “party on” attitude. “It is a sonic high depression that keeps you strangely uplifted throughout the day.”
Joan is a native Southerner who grew up in the small towns of East Texas. At 11 years old she began studying violin and she took that love of classical music with her to college. She attended the University of North Texas where she completed a Bachelor of Music in Music History and finished with a Master of Arts degree in Musicology. However there were always warring sides of music that called for Joan's attention. She grew up in a family where only rock music was played. And from that young age she would tag along with her father (a guitarist) and his musician friends. It was there that she learned to play the drums. Joan picked up guitar and other rock instruments from friends and family members. Even in college Joan continued a double life from the classical world. After playing in operas, symphonies, and ensembles, she made time to play drums and guitar in various bands. Joan went on after her university days to start her own successful private studio for violin in Dallas, TX. She continues to run it till this day.
“Drown Ophelia” is Joan's debut album release. All songs were written, performed, recorded, and mixed by Joan Avant under the Red Masque Records label.
“Dies Irae” CDs here
or digital here.
Joan's eleven track debut album, Drown Ophelia is now avaliable in CD or digital download at Joan's Official store.
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Step into my netherworld
Burlesque dancing, dancing girls
Dragon chasing benches that his sweat drenches
We're already dead, his dreams have turned red
Cabaret du Neant, Le Chat Noir
Who's bohemian and who's bourgeois?
It's the beginning, beginning of the end
Turn of the Century burned in my memory
Who's that knocking on the door?
Streets of Montmartre in uproar
The night's steeped in decadence
moms at her séance
Opium smoking, her only way of coping
Can-Can tin pan alleyways
Dancers and poets amaze
The noise in my head, I take it to bed
Listening softly Erik Satie, Claude Debussy
Cabaret du Neant, Le Chat Noir
Who's bohemian and who's bourgeois?
It's the beginning, beginning of the end
Turn of the Century burned in my memory
Drip, dripping water spout over the absinthe spoon
Sugar cubes melt away
Late, late I'm awake
Late, late I'm wide awake
Cabaret du Neant, Le Chat Noir
Who's bohemian and who's bourgeois?
It's the beginning, beginning of the end
Turn of the Century burned in my memory
It's the beginning, beginning of the end...
beginning... beginning... of the end
Somethings were never meant to be,
Annabel Lee, Annabel Lee
Over the face of the waters the moon beams low where their love would grow
She was his beloved bride with a love pure by the seaside
A sudden wind chilled her bones,
too soon in the grave she goes
He cried... Annabel, Annabel Lee return to me
The sepulcher by the sea never brought you any closer to me
Annabel, Annabel Lee, Return to the sea
The sepulcher by the sea never brought you any closer to me
Annabel, Annabel Lee Return to the sea
Somethings you're never meant to see,
the death of your love suddenly
Her sapphire eyes always haunted his mind
the memory of her fingers in his intwined
She is his every dream, wakes for her in a scream
As nightfalls, it reminds him of her face
without her touch he aches, with empty arms embrace
He cried... Annabel, Annabel Lee, stop haunting me
The sepulcher by the sea never brought you any closer to me
Annabel, Annabel Lee, Return to the sea
The sepulcher by the sea never brought you any closer to me
Annabel, Annabel Lee, Return to the sea
“I will throw the petals on the waves...
I will say goodby to my heartaches... goodbye, goodbye...”
Annabel, Annabel Lee Return to the sea
The sepulcher by the sea never brought you any closer to me
Annabel, Annabel Lee, return, return, return to the sea...
He grabs me by my wrists, he grabs me by my waist
Oh won't he tell me that he loves me?
Oh won't he tell me that he loves me?
Oh don't tell me, don't tell me
No don't tell me that romance is DEAD
This is the last page of the love story
So long, so long amoré
Lust lies and slithers away
Lust dies and embitters your days
Lust grips your heart
Strips it of love and tears it apart
This is just a cheap scene in a movie
A tantric dance where sex is the new violence
Oh don't tell me, don't tell me
No don't tell me that romance is DEAD
This isn't passion, it's an assassin
A charade in the shadows looking like love decayed
Lust lies and slithers away
Lust dies and embitters your days
Lust grips your heart
Strips it of love and tears it apart
Dust to dust
Lust to lust
Think about this life, it's just a bust
One down on to the next one
This shall pass
This shall pass
Dust to dust
Lust to lust
Think about this life, it's just a bust
He grabs me by my face
He rips off my lace
Oh won't he tell me that he loves me?
Oh won't he tell me that he loves me?
Oh don't tell me, don't tell me
No don't tell me that romance is dead
Professor I want to be just like you, just like you, me and you
Professor I want to walk with you, walk with you, be wise too
I will write down every single word that you say
Honor and obey
I obsess over what you think of me, that's the truth
I confess that there is no wrong that you could do
You know I will take every single class that you teach
Where you preach
Shout it out shut your mouth
If you don't believe just like me
If we disagree, better not speak, better not speak
Better not speak to me
Shout it out shut your mouth
If you don't believe just like me
If we disagree
Keep your peace
Better not speak
Better not speak to me
We all know that you've got tenure
The perfect proof of your worth
I'm sorry that I called you mister, not doctor
Oh Woe is Me
I know that you've got everything under control
Rock and roll
Professor you sleep with your students
It's your right
You're the king, you wear the hallowed crown
That's the life
No those rules don't apply to you
Don't abuse it
Shout it out shut your mouth
If you don't believe just like me
If we disagree, better not speak, better not speak
Better not speak to me
Shout it out shut your mouth
If you don't believe just like me
If we disagree
Keep your peace
Better not speak
Better not speak to me
Professor I adored you until you betrayed me
You are the wolf that you pretended to keep me from
I never learned more when I left you
The cult of your alter
You were never concerned with the truth
Why should you?
The lies you behold the lies you told me
Just change my view
There is no diversity at your university
In your universe
She storms on the scene,
Scarlet gown with eyes so green
He sees her o'er the crowd, his heart leapt out of it's shroud
She doesn't see him but another man takes her by the hand
He wears a devil's masque
Rubies gleaming this dance he asks
Lover boy wades through the laughing faces
Looking for her the glitter falls
The dancers take there places.
Life has never been this desperate
Love has never been this hard to get
With death outside, with death outside
The clock chimes it's a matter of time.
He finds her asleep on the fainting couch
Her suitor is nowhere to be found
Her eyelids sparkle silver, light through stained glass shimmers
He rouses her from sleep, takes her hand in his to keep
He takes her in his arms
Pays the band to play a tango that charms
The devil man tries to steal her away
She holds him tight and he won't let her stray.
Life has never been this desperate
Love has never been this hard to get
With death outside, with death outside
The clock chimes it's a matter of time...
We three sisters of the sea
Beckon you to set your sails free
Steer to the harbor (nothing but still waters)
You're home close your eyes
Leave the sea and say your goodbyes
Reach for my hand
I will lead you home, I will lead you home
Let me sing you a ballad of the sea
Listen to my voice (I will give you no choice)
I will lead you home, hear my voice
I will lead you home
We three sisters of the sea, may not be what we seem
All of these stories all of these myths
Look into our eyes, these are all lies
Trust us we are True North
Drop your anchor and come forth
Cast your cares behind you hear our song it's not taboo
Poisonous voices in your ear, we can make you disappear
Reach for my hand
I will lead you home, I will lead you home
Let me sing you a ballad of the sea
Listen to my voice (I will give you no choice)
I will lead you home, hear my voice
I will lead you home
We three sisters of the sea
We will bring you to your hands and knees
Crash your ship into the rocks
Jump in the water and swim to the docks
Close your eyes and drift away
Sing along and feel the sun's rays
The spintering wood of the shipwreck
should be no cause of concern
Sinking in this sacrifice feels just like paradise
Black orchid left on my porch-step
The color of a torrid love affair
I'm not sure you know or even care
Her glamour is out of this world you see
Dark red lips, eyes ever green
Bottles of rich perfume
Black and white photographs, shadows of silhouettes
Her lusty gaze in the magazines
She will always be the reigning queen
Black orchid, you're every man's dream
She's not real not real, not even real
She's my ideal, she's not even real
Dark dark dark sordid blooming flower
She's my poison or she's my power
She's not real not real not even real
She's my ideal kind of girl I always wanted to be
Dark flower
Black orchid is pushing the limits
She's running out of her usual gimmicks
Let her be the witch on the broomstick
Close the door as she takes off her crucifix
Dark brooding eyes, black heart's on fire
Bottles of lit champagne, brunch of quiche lorraine
She lights another cigarette as she thumbs through her faded vignettes
She will always be the reigning queen of things untoward and unforeseen
She's not real not real, not even real
She's my ideal, she's not even real
Dark dark dark sordid blooming flower
She's my poison or she's my power
She's not real not real not even real
She's my ideal kind of girl I always wanted to be
Dark flower
Sometimes, just sometimes
You don't want what you wish for
you wish for, you wish for
You open a door you don't look back for more
No more, no more, no more
Sometimes you don't want what you wish for
She's not real not real, not even real
She's my ideal, she's not even real
Dark dark dark sordid blooming flower
She's my poison or she's my power
She's not real not real not even real
She's my ideal kind of girl I will never ever be
Dark flower
I'm cool, and calm, and collected
You're cruel and strong
Like the North wind
You rule my life like a twisting knife
You betray with your Judas heart
You take my peace and give me fear
Would you love me if life overwhelms?
Would you love me if I can't save myself?
Do you understand my deepest need?
Could you hold me as I am I plead?
Would you love me if life overwhelms?
Would you love me if I can't save my self?
I can't save myself...
I'm cool, and calm, and collected
This fear haunts me, my soul
How far can I fall down this abysmal hole?
Does it ever ever end?
Would you love me if life overwhelms?
Would you love me if I can't save myself?
Do you understand my deepest need?
Could you hold me as I am I plead?
Would you love me if life overwhelms?
Would you love me if I can't save my self?
I can't save myself...
I've always been this way
I've always played his game
If I could get away, I'd never be the same
No looking back for me
I could break free
I'd be on my way...
I'm cool, and calm, and collected
You're cruel, but I'm strong
Much stronger now
I'm cool, and calm, and collected
I'm cool...
Andy working at the factory, creating his new beauty
New York City bright lemon yellow taxi in the rain
1963, this is what it means to me
Coffee early in the morning with nothing to eat
Sheets of rain pouring down East 47th Street
Brillo Pads and soup cans fill the shopping cart
Welcome the king of pop art
Sitting at church in the back row during the Alleluia, Alleluia
Dreaming on the couch at the factory of his name in lights under palm trees
Plastic Fantastic
Sitting at church in the back row during the Alleluia, Alleluia
Dreaming on the couch at the factory of his name in lights under palm trees
Plastic Fantastic
Hollywood, Hollywood
Andy's working on his silkscreens
Marilyn, Coca Cola, James Dean, Marlon Brando and Muhamed Ali
Repeat it out in every color to be seen
Looking for his film noir movie star
He found Edie Sedgewick, she was thinner than a candle stick
And she was his new muse, she was known for her looks
and her black tar heroine use.
Sitting at church in the back row during the Alleluia, Alleluia
Dreaming on the couch at the factory of his name in lights under palm trees
Plastic Fantastic
Sitting at church in the back row during the Alleluia, Alleluia
Dreaming on the couch at the factory of his name in lights under palm trees
Plastic Fantastic
Hollywood, Hollywood
The Velvet Underground started hanging out at the factory
Reed, Cale, Morrison and Moe later joined by Nico
Liberation, Production, Seduction, Destruction
Creating the sounds of the Exploding Plastic Inevitable
Andy's working at the factory, creating his new beauty
New York City bright lemon yellow taxi in the rain
Lizzie lies in the cold bathwater
She models as Ophelia
As a masterpiece is being made
she is the muse they all want to paint
Her lover says no, he wants to keep her for his own
he won't commit to her, but he'll string her along
How many hands does it take to drown Ophelia?
How many hands to hold her down?
She's going under
Eyes wide open
She's going under
Eyes wide open
He will promise the world to her, to marry her
and make her his queen
There are some promises that you just can't keep
like when your love is falling deeper and deeper to sleep
She would get sicker when he was away
She drank from her bottle of laudanum as it came
How many hands does it take to drown Ophelia?
How many hands to hold her down?
She's going under
Eyes wide open
She's going under
Eyes wide open
Can you hear the Hosannahs coming from the church choir?
Rosemary, pansies, fennel and columbines, rue and daisies and no violets
Their wedding bells rang like a funeral
Wouldn't stop his infidelities
And when Lizzie lost her baby, she lost herself
She went under
Eyes wide open
This is the last time she will dance for a crowd
The rose petals have faded
This is the last time she will take her bows
unto the adoring faces
She traveled the world with the Ballet Russe,
but there was not place she could call home
She dreams of a city with trees
Over the wide world, this is where she wants to be
She dreams of a city with trees
Over the wide world, this is where she wants to be
How long can this star shine it's brightest?
She gave her life to this art
With bouts of splendor and days of loneliness
A beauty fleeting, untouchable
She dreams of a city with trees
Over the wide world, this is where she wants to be
She dreams of a city with trees, a city with trees
She dreams, she dreams
