Ex-CRISIS Frontwoman's Solo Art Show Scheduled For Tonight

CRISIS frontwoman Karyn Crisis will present a series of ten oil paintings in her first solo gallery show, scheduled for tonight (Friday, June 19) between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. at Forthrite Gallery, located at 5857 San Pablo Avenue in Oakland, California. The Bay Area's GIANT SQUID will play a live set at the gallery at 9:00 p.m.

Karyn began to focus on painting in 2006, and has since produced and sold over three dozen paintings worldwide.

KARYN CRISIS BAND is Karen's partnership with Davide Tiso, a prolific Italian guitarist and songwriter of extreme metal band EPHEL DUATH, whose music has always explored uncharted territories and pushed the boundaries of what is possible in extreme music during the 11 years of his band's career.

Often mistaken for a duet of a man and a woman, and described as both "angelic and demonic", Karyn challenged the idea of what a female voice could sound like. She was the first female singer in heavy music to boast a voice strong enough to compete in the male-dominated music scene, and the only woman fronting a heavy band touring the U.S. Her unique style was that of a primal scream: borne of a need to express her rage, despair, and inner fire.

Combined with her powerfully physical, dynamic, stage performances, she also challenged the male-dominated metal and hardcore scenes to "think again" about the gender stereotypes of women being the "weaker" sex. And in the early '90s, before Internet and "Headbangers Ball" supported underground metal, bands had to prove themselves and pay their dues show by show, the grassroots way: winning people over in sweaty, often violent, clubs and mosh pits. No managers to book you into huge clubs with security fences; in those days, you had to hold your own and even break a nose or two.

Karyn's primary focus with music is the journey within: facing demons, releasing light, and overcoming the fleshy prison of the earthly body. The live stage has been home for Karyn, where her performances earned her the nickname "Exorsister" as well as a reputation for being emotionally raw, supernaturally powerful, interactive, and intensely physical.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/karyncrisisband.