Review by Alex Zander with photos by Eden Lake for MK ULTRA Magazine
please note a full photo gallery is forthcoming please check back
June 7th, 2025 a date I had been anxiously awaiting since the PRAISE THE LORDS Tour was announced mainly because of their new singer was announced as former Butcher Baby Carla Harvey. It’s safe to say in a year full of shows with many of my favorite bands that this was the most anticipated. Having seen Lords of Acid on nearly every tour since the support tour for the Voodoo U release in 1995 which made the cover story for MK ULTRA Magazine issue #2 and every show announcement is exciting as the band which has been a staple of the MK ULTRA diet for all the wrong reasons. Described as a blending techno, acid house, and industrial music with themes of sexuality, drug use, and hedonism. Yes, dear reader, these are a few of my favorite things. And not only is the live band full of raw energy and sexual deviance, the audience as well can be as colorful as the is band onstage.
MK ULTRA Magazine issue #2 April 1 1995
I arrived just in time to catch Lucia Cifarelli of KMFDM fame begin her set and the place was already packed. A true rarity that a capacity crowd would all be in attendance for the opening act. However, even though they are based in Germany KMFDM with their Wax Trax affiliation are considered by Chicagoans to be a hometown band. Lucia who has been singing with the band since they were MDFMK in 2000 has that definitive voice that one immediately recognizes. Powerful to sum it up in one word. The woman can sing. She was prowling the stage like a tigress or a lioness stalking her prey. Sexy. Very sexy and Lucia Cifarelli is age defying. Having seen her and been in her presence for the better part of 25 years I must believe she has a painting in her attic at her home in Germany that is aging because she shows no signs. Luckily er set which was surprisingly a bit longer than I had expected and was accompanied by a multimedia video display that highlighted her performance. Truth be told, I’d love to see her bring the show back around in a more intimate setting. The crowd was blown away. They love her. By the time I arrived with my photographer Eden Lake I was far back in the room as it was so packed, and it stayed that way all night. Edens exact words were “I didn’t even shoot a ton if her, but she is so easy to shoot the shots were great… obviously lol.” The wife of Sascha Konietzko has always been easy on the eyes but her vocals should not be overshadowed. Her voice is her signature.
Her setlist consisted of a mix of her 3 solo releases as well as KMFDM.
Girls Like Me
To Be Alive
Believe
Lights Out
Paper Tiger
Dark Horse
No God Here
Next up were LITTLE MISS NASTY. This was the Pussycat Dolls on Steroids. Eden told me over and over that I’d enjoy watching the show. Yeah, she knows what Alex likes. Described as seductive global icons of dark performance art and rebellious burlesque. That’s pretty much it. It was a very visual display, hot, sexy and yes NASTY with a set that featured renditions of many heavy classic rock songs which currently and in the past consist of songs by Korn, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine, Slipknot, Rob Zombie etc. The performance is a professionally choreographed Las Vegas production show and its top-notch entertainment.
Then after a brief pause it was time for the main event. Praga Khan who I’ve worked with my entire career and his band that also features and old friend of mine Dietrich Thrall on bass were about the set the room at the Bottom Lounge aflame. I could not wait to see Carla in front of this band. Many have felt the same way.
Allow me to backpedal here. I was on Thanksgiving weekend vacation in Indianapolis Nov 2024 and my phone started to blow up. It was announced that Lords of Acid “…..will feature vocals from a well-known American female vocalist, known for her groundbreaking stage presence and powerhouse vocals.” We were all guessing who it might be. We all had our suspicions and Black Friday night I had guests in my hotel room, and it was the main topic of discussion. I NEVER EVEN GUESSED IT WOULD BE CARLA HARVEY! It was officially announced January 3rd, 2025, this was revealed to be former Butcher Babies vocalist. My first call was to Eden. She is old friends with Harvey. We were both overjoyed! Not only has Eden worked with Lords of Acid for years, but she’s also connected to Carla Harvey and we were both overjoyed.
The lights dimmed and the band took stage. Praga Khan – keyboards Olivier Adams – keyboards, Galen Waling – drums, my ol pal Dietrich Thrall – bass, Creighton Emrick – guitar and as the first song “Voodoo-U” kicked off out runs Carla all hair and perfect tiny body to a roar I’ve never heard greeting a Lords of Acid vocalist in my career. She looked very happy and rightfully so. There were a few glitches in the opening number regarding the sound but they took a moment and rectified it and the rest of the show was a nonstop cluster fuck of sonic perversion in the most perfect manner. The crowd was jumping. It was hot and sweaty. Most of the attendees never left their spot once they had it upon arrival. My friend Byron was about 5-6 standing rows back. Halfway through the set my phone vibrated it was Eden with a message, “I’ll be onstage in 2 minutes” and for the number “Worship the Lords” she was onstage dancing along with other lucky audience members invited up. Talk about a fucking bonus! The set was packed with a nonstop favorite that goes all the way back to the LUST album which I played extensively as a rave DJ back in the early 90’s. The recording was tailor made for rave events. Of course, When the song “Rubber Doll” came on dozens of rubber blow up dolls practically appeared out of nowhere. The LOA fans come dressed for the part and armed with all things rubber, latex, leather and lube. (I know this firsthand, and you can read about that in Diary of a Damned Man).
These fuckers played a 2-hour set. Talk about getting bang for your buck and that doesn’t even cover all their most popular material.
Lords of Acid setlist:
Voodoo-U
Do What You Wanna Do
Lover
Drink My Honey
Mr. Machoman
The Power Is Mine Coda
(A Treatise on the Practical Methods Whereby One Can) Worship the Lords
Rough Sex / Take Control
Rubber Doll
Pussy
I Sit On Acid
Scrood Bi U
The Crablouse
Out Comes the Evil
Get Up. Get High
Praise the fucking Lords! Thank you, Lords of Acid, for not slowing down a bit after 30 plus years. You still bring it. Carla, welcome to the show and I really hope you are on their next tour. For a band that has featured a many excellent front women, two of which include friends, you’re the best in my opinion, A perfect fit for a perfect band. (in my opinion)
And Lucia, PLEASE bring your show back for another round. Everyone adores you.