Dawn Crosby

Background

In the early 1990's, Fear of God arose from the decay of Detente, an aggressive heavy metal band, with the troubled vocalist Dawn Crosby as the main face. Crosby had a reputation for being difficult to work with at times, considering the constantly-shifting organization of both Detente and Fear of God. At the end of Detente's run, Michael Carlino and eventually the guitarist formed an intense personal and songwriting relationship; the musicians realized that a new band was needed to pursue the exciting direction their music was headed in. The group recorded their debut, Within the Veil, and the disc was released on Warner Bros in 1991. This record would soon prove to be the creative highpoint in the careers of all the musicians involved (Jeffries). Crosby and Carlino had spent years in unknown bands and struggled together with Detente, personal crises, and dozens of musicians -- yet somehow put together a spectacular goth metal collection that has since become regarded as highly accomplished and under-appreciated.

The general reaction to the band’s debut was strong, and the label set the group up to record a follow-up later in 192. The music was written and recorded, but when it came time for Crosby to record her vocal parts, she failed due to health problems and her struggle with addiction; this was the beginning of the end for the group. Shortly after, Carlino and Warner Bros. gave up on Crosby. Dawn Crosby, after countless tours and attempts to generate label interest, later died of acute liver failure on December 15, 1996 (Jeffries).

So What?

Though Crosby lived a life of constant tragedy and struggle, she is an important image for all women metalheads today -- she never once gave up. She persevered through each trial and triumph so that she would be heard; she never lost sight of her dreams to sing and her passion to perform. She is the ultimate role model of hope and dedication for a talented woman within the heavy metal culture.