The band rocked the L.A. music scene in the 90s. Then it went dormant, leaving fans longing for more. Three decades later Lava Diva erupts again, rekindling memories of when it set local stages on fire.

In the new Shakespeare Festival/LA update of “Romeo & Juliet”…the Montagues and Capulets run rival record companies. Casting record industry as the environment again which the star-crossed lovers rebel made Lava Diva a natural to provide the music for this production.

This band’s got me scratching my head. Singer Dawn sounds like Kristen Hersh on acid, and the music rests somewhere between Rage Against the Machine and Tool.

The Los Angeles trio Lava Diva’s greatest asset is Dawn Fintor’s voice. She comes primarily from a rock angle, but touches of sweetness and mystery keep her from sounding muddled. Most of the songs on her band’s self-titled debut are gracefully hard.

Dawn’s work on vocals, guitars, and piano are potent. Greg’s drum and percussion contributions are jolting. Bass, courtesy of Johnny is well, moving. This trio is dangerously talented, and could incite heart pounding sentiment from its listeners.

Straight out, this cd rules the earth. Not even a question in my mind.

The growing popularity of the incredible band Lava Diva was kicked into high gear with their CD release party at The Troubadour on Saturday, March 28th. An unbelievable crowd packed the club to join Lava Diva in celebrating the release of their debut CD.

Lava Diva is all about traditional alternative with plenty of enthusiasm, guts and thought-provoking lyrics. What stemmed from the chaos [of the L.A. Riots} is a sound that compares light with dark and provides you with the music to live your life to.

Here’s a band that I already liked before getting this cd, so I know the songs are good. Let’s give it a listen…

It’s hard to believe that some people actually need drugs to alter their state of mind. After all, in a live environment, Lava Diva can throw almost anyone into a different brain wave pattern following just a few songs.

Lava Diva’s music perfectly combines dissonance with melody taking many distinct, odd melodic phrases and mixing in just enough hard, edgy rock. All woven together it forms a sound with a strange beautiful feel that walks along the diverse and fragile edges of human states of being.

Don’t ever lend your Lava Diva tape out. You’ll never get it back. Lava Diva is mandatory listening.

Dynamic, Complex, and Powerful, they pull you into a world of weightlessness. They tease you with hypnotic melodies and percussion, then explode into monster riffs and intricate time changes.

This trim three-piece plants one foot firmly in the rawest of rock material, while dipping the other into darker, spookier, and more experimental territory. These artfully woven tales of regret, body piercing, and broken hearts go far beyond cliché to hit emotional pay dirt.

Next up was the always entertaining Lava Diva. Guitarist/vocalist Dawn Fintor was in top form, and the band turned in a powerful set.

Fat, warm grunge with distinctive, haunting female vocals. Nimble bass playing, original arrangements and electric energy make this trio a must-see.

Somewhere between Throwing Muses on Prozac, Pink Floyd, and a female version of Soundgarden, Lava Diva kicks, scratches and gnaws its way into your heart.

Talent abounds in the bowels of Lava Diva.

[Lava Diva} relies on the arty contrasts of hard/soft and the tension of the transitions between the two, to wring its energy out of the band’s soul and into your ears.

Lava Diva have a freshness in their sound which most bands can never accomplish. The method to their madness is their jazzy minimalist approach.

Buzz band: Lava Diva. The artsy local band has been compared to Lydia Lunch, and their 7” single can be obtained on Meltdown Records.

[Lava Diva] have unintentionally captivated a loyal crowd. The sometimes disturbing but always intriguing weave of gentle melody and dark rhythmic discord cannot help but pierce the weary, welcoming ears of Los Angeles clubgoers.