A band formed by husband and wife, lacking of a bass guitar, being used only a couple times on specific recordings.
Jucifer, founded in 1993, are pioneers of the metal two piece. Their onstage sound, often loosely categorized as sludge, careens venomously through every extreme and tempo of metal and punk, with particular attention to black metal, old school death metal, and grind. Jucifer is notorious for the relentlessness of their live performances, their use of massive amplification, and the fact that the band has been nomadic for 20 of its 28 years in existence. They’ve stated that this homeless life was undertaken to facilitate playing “as many shows as we possibly can”. Jucifer’s endless tour usually covers 20 or more countries each year. Unlike heavy duos which use loops, backing tracks, guest musicians, or triggers to fill out their live sound, Jucifer relies on compositions designed to decimate with only real-time drums and distorted guitar. And for sonic reinforcement, a wall of speakers that typically rises 10 feet high and sprawls 15 feet wide.
Jucifer’s use of many different amps and cabinets to create a full-spectrum, full-body sound experience inspired many imitators, as their tours exposed them to several generations across hundreds of cities. But despite originating use of stadium-appropriate amplification in clubs, Jucifer’s rationale for their gear differs from later bands’ approach. Although Jucifer is renowned as one of the loudest bands in the world, both members have stated that volume is not their primary reason behind owning so much equipment, but rather a byproduct of their desire to be immersed in sound and of Valentine’s method to create her ideal tone. Guitarist Gazelle Amber Valentine has stated in interviews that she never turns her amps up all the way and that playing guitar through such a dynamic array of gear is “like building sound sculptures in the air”. On records, Jucifer has demonstrated they are artists who take freedom as seriously in the studio as in life.
Their creative paths are winding and at first glance may appear disjointed. But their essence is traceable over three decades to the exact band you’ll find on stages all over the world, fiercely committed to a unique vision and ferociously executing it
