COVEN … The Pioneers of Occult Rock!

The American rock/metal band Coven, pioneers of the occult rock scene, are coming to Greece as part of the “Magickal Chaos” East European Tour 2025!

They will perform in Athens on Tuesday, April 22, at Gazarte Ground Stage, and in Thessaloniki on Wednesday, April 23, at Eightball Club!
Coven is an American rock/metal band considered a pioneer in the occult rock scene. They formed in the late 1960s and became known primarily for their debut album Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls (1969), which was filled with satanic references—something quite extreme for the time.

The lead singer, Jinx Dawson, is the central figure of the band and one of the first women to embody the occult/doom style. They were among the first bands to use satanic symbols and themes before popular metal bands like Black Sabbath did. Their first album included songs such as Black Sabbath (a name that may have inspired the well-known metal band) and a track featuring a full recitation of a Satanic ritual. Although they withdrew after their debut due to backlash, they later returned and continued performing, with various lineup changes.

The band was founded by vocalist Jinx Dawson, bassist Oz Osborne (no relation to Ozzy Osbourne!), and drummer Steve Ross. In 1969, they released their debut Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls, which is considered the first occult rock album in music history. The album featured the song Black Sabbath before Black Sabbath even emerged on the scene. It was also the first album to use the “devil horns” hand gesture (a well-known metal symbol that later became Ronnie James Dio’s trademark). Additionally, it included a track titled Satanic Mass, a recording of a full ritual dedicated to Satan.

From 1970 to 1972, the band faced controversy that led to their downfall. Despite their unique aesthetic, the album sparked massive reactions. Their label, Mercury Records, withdrew the album after negative publicity. The press accused them of promoting Satanism, especially in the wake of the Sharon Tate murder by the “Manson Family.” The band temporarily disbanded as they struggled to promote their music due to public outrage.
In 1974, Coven returned with a more mainstream rock sound and released the album Coven. The album included the track One Tin Soldier, which became a huge hit due to its association with the film Billy Jack. Unlike their previous album, this one abandoned satanic references and followed a softer, psychedelic rock direction. Despite the success of One Tin Soldier, the band could not maintain their popularity and disbanded again in the mid-1970s.
After a long period of inactivity, Coven reactivated in 2007 under the leadership of Jinx Dawson. Since then, the band has participated in various live performances and festivals, reviving their occult rock style on stage.In 2013, they released the album Jinx, which includes new tracks that maintain their signature aesthetic.

Jinx Dawson remains the central figure of the band, continuing to influence the music scene with her presence and her impressively metallic voice.

Ιn the hidden lair with Jinx Dawson!

Athenscalling.gr: Good morning, Jinx. We are truly happy to meet you, and we can’t hide our admiration for your presence from the very beginning of your career until today… Personally, I bow to your presence!

Jinx Dawson: So kind indeed…

Athenscalling.gr: Where are we meeting you at the moment?

Jinx Dawson: In my hidden lair.

Athenscalling.gr: We were really excited about your new tour, The Magickal Chaos Tour of Rituals, across Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, and the Balkans… Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and of course, our country, Greece. A major tour for Coven—what exactly will you be presenting?

Jinx Dawson: Most of our 1969 iconic “Witchcraft” album along with several new songs. We have video ritual with spells with olde and new footage. And Skull will be coming along.

Athenscalling.gr: Who will be the members of Coven for these live performances?
Jinx Dawson: Alex Kercheval plays keyboards including synth and sings. Colin Oakley drums. CVon (Chris Vaughn) plays guitar and sings and Zayne Hutchinson plays bass and sings. And of course I sing and cast the spells…

Athenscalling.gr: Speaking of your live performances… dear Jinx, how do you feel when you’re on stage? What emotions do you experience?

Jinx Dawson: I actually go into a trance of sorts and relive the days when I first sang the songs. I remember where I was and what the people were like.

Athenscalling.gr: Coven’s journey spans 58 years, from 1967 until today, with some breaks in between. When you first started, did you ever think your music would have such a long-lasting impact?

Jinx Dawson: The first album “Witchcraft” was produced as a scholarly work so I knew it would have an importance as much of the information was not known to many. The record company even put a text inside defining the word “coven” as that was not a commonly used word. And I also think the lyric aspect was very new in rock music along with an actual recorded Black Mass.

Athenscalling.gr: What is it that keeps Coven alive, and allows you to maintain the same energy as in your early days?

Jinx Dawson: I am an ancestral witch and my calling is to tell the stories of the ways of the Left Hand Path.

Athenscalling.gr: Speaking of you and your presence in the international music scene—aside from your incredible vocal talent, we must mention that we are in the presence of a truly beautiful woman. Did that play any role in your career?

Jinx Dawson: So kind to say. But I think it was actually detrimental as record companies back in the day did not think it proper for a girl to be singing songs of demons and spells. Tho after they banned the record, they thought demons might be a good selling tool and let the all-male bands a year later run with it.

Athenscalling.gr: Is it true that you were the first to use the “devil horns” hand gesture? How do you feel about it becoming a symbol of metal?
Jinx Dawson: I was the first to use the Sign of the Horns in rock on stage in 1967. I must admit it is strange now because at first doing it no one even knew what it meant nor did it. The peace sign was the popular gesture. Of course now most still do not know what it truly means nor where or why it originated…But maybe that is a good thing.

Athenscalling.gr: If I’m not mistaken, Coven has had two main active periods: from 1967–1975 for us older fans who have followed you faithfully, and then from 2007 onward when Coven made a strong comeback. You now have both long-time fans and a new generation discovering your music. Do you see any differences between the old-school fans, like myself, and the newer ones?

Jinx Dawson: Not really. I think curiosity in witchcraft and Left Hand Path makes the generations much the same. And the music is classically based and that has always remained strong with the listener.

Athenscalling.gr: Let’s take a journey into the past. Do you remember the first person who introduced you to music? Was it a teacher, a family member, or perhaps your love for a particular artist?

Jinx Dawson: That would be whoever brought the grand piano into our house. I started noodling on the keys as a very young child and would sing made up songs to the piano pickings.

Athenscalling.gr: Continuing with the past… Imagine yourself as a young girl, holding some money, walking into a record store… which album do you buy?
Jinx Dawson: When I was young we did not buy albums, we bought singles. And, I was more interested in my mother’s classical 78’s collection. But I am pretty sure I might have bought a Bobby Darin, Paul Anka or Four Tops single somewhere in there when we stayed at our summer cottage where we were allowed a bit of pop music. But even early on I did not have much time to listen to popular music as was busy with my piano lessons, ballet lessons, opera scholarship at 13 at a college and writing my own songs.

Athenscalling.gr: Back to the present… I assume you have some free time—how do you like to spend it?

Jinx Dawson: Not very much free time for me now. I used make miniatures when I cared for my father. I had some spare time then. But recording and travel with the band is the ‘best free time’ for me.

Athenscalling.gr: And musically, what are you listening to these days? What was the last album you purchased?

Jinx Dawson: I do not have time to listen to others music these days because I am too busy making my own music. And, I do not want it to be influenced by other bands. The last album might have been the Doors LA Woman back when it came out. Coven recorded at Elektra Records when they were recording Morrison Hotel there too in early 1970 and we became friends. After he died, I don’t think I ever bought an album again.

Athenscalling.gr: In our vinyl collection, we have the four albums you’ve released. However, we haven’t managed to get our hands on Half a Century of Witchcraft Box Set yet—but we will! The question is: Are you working on any new releases?

Jinx Dawson: Yes. We have four new songs recorded. And hope to finish for an album for Fall.

Athenscalling.gr: And now, please, using the first letters of your name, complete the blanks with words that best describe you… ( J )…… ( I )……( N )……( X )……

Jinx Dawson:
( J )……Joker
( I )……Intuitive
( N )……Night
( X )……X rated

Athenscalling.gr: Before we say goodbye and thank you for everything you’ve shared with us, please send a message to the people of Planet Earth…
Jinx Dawson: Many Hails