Women in Music (St Kilda)


Paula Damnzal

Paula Damnzal is a singer/songwriter and guitarist who has been playing in bands since 1989. Paula is one of Melbourne's most prolific female death metal growlers and her genre of music is Goth punk/Punk metal/Crust death. 

Paula's bands bands are as follows:

  • Velvet Hammer started off as a Goth/punk band and transitioned into a Metal band. Velvet Hammer was one of the most professional, hard working independent bands from the 1990's. The band existed from 1989-99. Official Releases included: Limited edition single: "Orgasmic Plasmic", Baby is A Psycho vinyl LP, Sir CD, Taedium Vitae CD, Exploding Head Syndrome CD, Flesh Fetish Factor CD. 

  • Damnzal was formed in early 2003, and consisted of Tania Pennisi on lead vocals (ex Ruby Doomsday), Paula Condell on lead guitar (ex Velvet Hammer), Bindy Paxton on rhythm guitar (ex Fire Sign, and notorious Playboy pin-up!), Vanessa Payne on bass guitar (ex Ruby Doomsday) and Scott Danson on drums (ex Cyclone Tracy).   Damnzal delivered a punchy brand of Punk/Metal with plenty of enthusiasm, and their shows were always great fun. With songs like "Pink Vibrator", the crowd could have a laugh while banging their heads.

  • Spine of God - Industrial Metal, 1995 - 1996

  • Deathbird - Punk, 2007-2008 

  • Küntsquäd - Crust Death Metal, 2017- current. Hailing from Melbourne, Küntsquäd are a 4 piece Crustmetal/Deathpunk band spearheaded by frontwoman Paula Damnzal who also wields a guitar. The band take inspiration from such acts as Sepultura, Discharge, Damaged and Carcass while incorporating death/black/doom metal and crusty punk influences, blending it all in a concoction of pure, unadulterated in your face music. Küntsquäd are well-weathered in the industry with numerous tours across Australia and appearances at festivals, club shows and more. Küntsquäd’s long awaited debut “self-titled” album has now been unleashed upon the world, inking a record deal with Wormholedeath Records and a management deal with Black-Roos Entertainment to help propel the band into the next phase of their career. 

Paula has played gigs at St Kilda music venues including: The Espy and Prince of Wales Hotel. 

"The Prince of Wales was a place where the interesting and eclectic crowds converged, as well as a hot spot for venues who supported the more extreme bands of various genres. 

I recall doing a benefit show at the Prince of Wales, in the early 90’s where the bill was so diverse (from indie to extreme metal) and it was interesting as there was not ‘attitudes’ on display nor any ‘rockstar’ behaviours. Everyone just ‘got along’ and there was no issue with it being a mixed bill event... these days that is just so uncommon and unheard of

The Espy was of particular interest, due to the fact they had two stages: The front bar and the main room which was kind of huge. Great FOH rigs back in the day."

Paula Damnzal, Velvet Hammer, c. 1996 - Source: Paula Damnzal

"I always considered the St Kilda audience to be very responsive to anything that was deemed different/ extreme or ‘arty’. Generally the interactions were encouraged and positive.

I have always related to the punters and their relationships with various bands and performances, as I was also active in seeing and supporting bands at the various venues myself, so there was a healthy culture of reciprocal support, and many of us knew each other or of each other already." 

Damnzal promo shot, 2005 - Source: Paula Damnzal

"In the late 1980‘s there were very few female-led bands but the ones that were active were mainly in the punk or goth scenes, often as musicians within the bands. I struggle to remember all of them, however it wasn’t an uncommon thing to have females included in the lineup.

The extreme metal scene had much less females participating in the lineups, which even though is more common these days, it was not so back in the early days. There were more all girl bands and female-led bands emerging post punk era in the early 1990’s; mainly grunge. The idea of female fronted in metal (generic) was still quite rare in Australia. Overseas, we saw the emergence of a few high profile all girl bands and female fronted bands, in comparison."

Paula Damnzal, Küntsquäd, 2021 - Photo by Buff. G. Photography
Küntsquäd Website Interview with Paula Damnzal
Megan Bawden Penny Ikinger