Caligula were a blast of electro-goth energy in the nineties with spectacular live shows. And while they burned briefly, they burned ever so brightly, releasing a couple of EPs and one album (albeit a classic) entitle Rubenesque.
The past few years have seen the band return to the live scene, playing some well received gigs and supports, with special events playing their favourite albums from other bands in their entirety – a testimony to their triumphant return to power and their inherent musicianship. See our review of one gig last year here. Fronted by Australia’s answer to the Damned’s David Vanian, the enigmatic Ash Rothschild, and joined on guitar by the versatile and skilled guitarist Mark Tobin, the band has signalled their intent with a gig celebrating their thirty year anniversary and the promise of a new album.
And what better way to begin their second spell in power than a new single: the driving track ‘Save Me’. Commencing with a rolling piano and Rothschild’s soaring, yearning vocals, the track takes off like a chariot into the blue skies with a jingle jangle guitars and indelible melodies. It is a restrained ballad but intense and urgent that coasts on a bed of swelling strings and synths. A spectacular anthemic return, cinematic and statuesque:
What a spectacular return, proving once again my old adage that creativity does not have a use by date – something I wish other music sites and the radio would recognise. The track is available now via all the usual sites.
To celebrate their thirty year anniversary, you can catch the band at a special event in Sydney on 2 August:
Saturday, 2 August 2025 – The Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
with special guests C54 (Chris Dubrow & James Lynch) + Rollercoaster DJs
Tickets: here and Facebook event
Caligula are:
Vocals- Ashley Rothschild
Keyboards- Jamie Fonti
Bass- Sean Fonti
Guitars- Mark Tobin
Drums- Kyle Barr
Feature Photograph: Jo Forster
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