Only Theatre of Pain

by Christian Death

Overview

The 1984 debut album from goth metal mongers Christian Death can, in retrospect, be seen as something of a landmark release. A trendsetting disc in its merging of a creepy gothic sensibility and heavy metal, not to mention its stridently controversial (yet subtly tongue-in-cheek) assaults on the Christian religion and conventional morality, ONLY THEATER OF PAIN influenced the countless goth, death, and black metal bands that heard it. While lyrics about Lucifer, sodomy, necrophilia, and church hypocrisy (like "Burnt Offerings" and "Cavity: First Communion") may seem commonplace now, they weren't in 1984. But it's the gloom-and-doom atmosphere here, the creepy dungeon feel of the music, that makes the greater impression, and puts Christian Death on the map as forerunners in their genre.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/06/1993
Label:	Frontier Records / Frontier
UPC:	0018663100715
Rank:	18059

Tracks

1. Cavity 1st Communion
2. Figurative Theatre
3. Burnt Offerings
4. Mysterium Iniquitatis
5. Dream For Mother
6. Stairs (Uncertain Journey)
7. Spiritual Cramp
8. Romeo's Distress
9. Resurrection 6th Communion
10. Prayer
11. Deathwish
12. Romeo's Distress
13. Dogs
14. Desperate Hell
15. Spiritual Cramp
16. Cavity

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Christian Death   Primary Artist
Eva O.   Vocals (Background)
Rikk Agnew   Vocals,Guitar (Electric)
Rozz Williams   Vocals
George Belanger   Drums
Ron   Vocals (Background)
James McGearty   Bass

Technical Credits

James   Composer
Thom Wilson   Producer
Rikk Agnew   Composer
Rozz Williams   Concept,Drawing,Composer,Illustrations,Cover Art Concept
Rikk   Composer
James McGearty   Composer
Ed Colver   Photography