| Christian Death is a registered trademark.Christian Death is a registered trademark.Please include more appropriate citations from reliable sources, or discuss the issue on the talk page.Christian Death is an American Deathrock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979.Christian Death are most notable for their album Only Theatre of Pain which was a major event in the birth of the Goth and Deathrock subculture within the United States and beyond.After some major line up changes, resulting at one point during the mid 1990s, in two bands with the name Christian Death, the name was taken by Valor Kand, who had played as a replacement guitarist in one incarnation of Rozz Williams' band.This version does not feature any members of the original band, though it has been around since 1985 continuing on today.Rozz Williams and Pompeii 99
1.Kand continues use of Christian Death name
1.Rozz Williams' Christian Death
1.Valor Kand's Christian Death
1.The first Christian Death performance in front of a live audience was at a Castration Squad gig in 1980, when Castration Squad invited Christian Death on stage to play a couple songs.During February 1981, the band went on a hiatus and Rozz concentrated on a side project with Ron Athey called Premature Ejaculation, but Christian Death got back together that summer, with a new guitarist: Rikk Agnew (formerly of The Adolescents), replacing Jay.The track that Christian Death contributed, "Dogs", came from studio sessions financed by McGearty.The songs from those sessions would be released in France as the Deathwish EP three years later.Only Theatre of Pain
Their appearance on the Hell Comes to Your House compilation helped to get Christian Death signed to Frontier Records, which released their debut album Only Theatre of Pain in March 1982.This album featured deathrock anthems such as "Spiritual Cramp" and "Romeo's Distress".The album received critical acclaim from the music press and got condemned on a religious television program regarding alleged "satanic influences".Drug use and internal fighting started to lead to the band's decay.By late 1982, George Belanger and Rikk Agnew were gone from the band and were replaced by Eva Ortiz on guitar (she had previously taken part in Only Theatre of Pain as a backing vocalist) and a new drummer, Rod "China" Figueroa from Oxnard, CA.Christian Death and Pompeii 99 had planned on touring together in Europe, occasioned by the continental release of Only Theatre of Pain on French label L'Invitation au Suicide, and on to Japan; but by the end of 1982, Christian Death had broken up.Rozz Williams and Pompeii 99
By mid 1983, the issue of the Christian Death and Pompeii 99 European tour still stood.Shubert was also known to be a descendant of the notorious magician, Aleister Crowley.Soon after Shubert joined the band, Valor approached the group in a meeting to inform them that the group was being considered as Rozz Williams backup band, however, Valor had not even broached the subject to Williams just yet.Demone, Glass and Shubert were excited at the prospect and quickly agreed to do whatever it took get Williams to agree to the idea.Pompeii 99 rehearsed at Lillian Way Studios for 8 to 10 hours per day, learning the repertoire of Christian Death, in hopes of persuading Rozz to let them become the new incarnation of Christian Death.By the end of the evening, Rozz Williams had agreed to christen Pompeii 99 the newest version of Christian Death.Shubert began to have doubts about the group's ability to honor its commitments and voiced these concerns to the group.Shubert then quit the group on the eve of their first European tour, forcing the reformed Christian Death to hire a quick replacement.Williams wanted to revive the name Daucus Karota for the new group but Yann Farcy, head of label L'Invitation au Suicide, was insistent that a band called "Christian Death" play the scheduled shows in Europe to support Only Theatre of Pain's release there.There was some protest within the group about keeping the Christian Death name for the new band, especially from Rozz, but the old moniker ultimately remained in place.For him, the name promoted martyrdom as a positive example.The French album cover for Only Theatre of Pain featured the painting "Andromaque" by Georges Rochegrosse, depicting the ancient Romans method of "Christian death.""Sleepwalk" originated from the first era of Christian Death.However, Christian Death did receive a good response and the audience did want encores from them.Released in 1985, the album featured many guest musicians, including bassist Randy Wilde, violin player and accordion synth operator Eric Westfall, tuba player Bill Swain, trumpeteer Richard Hurwitz and Michael Andraes on the clarinet.After the American tour, Rozz decided to leave the band.However, during the European tour, since Valor had taken over on vocals, many fans thought Valor was Rozz due to their somewhat similar image.Later in 1985, when the remaining members were low on cash and stranded in Italy, they released an EP The Wind Kissed Pictures under the name "For Sin And Sacrifice Must We Die A Christian Death".After the release of The Wind Kissed Pictures EP, Valor, Gitane, and David Glass went back to the name Christian Death, despite Rozz's wishes and the declarations Valor had made of the name change at performances during their previous tour.The new band was also turned into a corporation with the Christian Death Society in 1985.After arranging for a couple of concerts, they managed to get some more studio time back at Rockfield Studios in Wales, where Catastrophe Ballet had been recorded.Here they recorded Atrocities.Released in 1986, this was the first full length album under the name Christian Death without Rozz Williams.Barry Galvin (also known as Bari Bari).Much of the sound of Christian Death on Atrocities and The Wind Kissed Pictures was due to Galvin's guitar style and composing skills.During 1988, Valor Kand's Christian Death toured with Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, a gothic rock group from Leeds, England.Gitane Demone left Christian Death and her former lover Valor, in order to pursue a solo jazz career in 1989.She would later link back up with Rozz Williams to record an album together: Dream Home Heartache proved to be a pioneer of the dark cabaret style.Demone's departure left Valor Kand as the last Pompeii 99 member with the Christian Death name.In 1990, Valor formed the Christian Death Militia, whose aim was to protect everyone involved in the Christian Death Society.All The Hate" and finished at London's Astoria Theatre.Maitri who would eventually become his wife.Christian Death as a gothic metal outfit with the album Sexy Death God, moving away from his previous gothic rock releases with the band.Williams reclaims name
During the late 1980s to mid 1990s, Rozz Williams and Rikk Agnew played some reunion shows with the name Christian Death.Rozz Williams also put out some other new albums on Cleopatra Records under the Christian Death name with his wife Eva O, supplying guitar and backing vocals during the 1990s.This was a clear jab at Valor Kand, who Williams now viewed as a thief for taking his band's name.Kand became enraged at the use of his now trademarked name 'Christian Death'.After recording two more studio albums under the Christian Death name with Eva O, titled, The Path of Sorrows and The Rage of Angels, Rozz Williams committed suicide by hanging on 1 April 1998.He did not leave a suicide note and it is not known why Rozz would have wanted to take his own life.Kand continues use of Christian Death name
Following Williams' death, Kand immediately seized control over all Christian Death material made by Rozz Williams on Cleopatra Records.In 1998 and 1999 two European and one American tour was done for the album Pornographic Messiah.Fernando Medina is currently a freelance drummer in Chicago.Although both members were also in the song "Cavity" on the first track of the live album The Bible, both members were not mentioned in the credits.Since the album was released as "Christian Death presents Lover of Sin", the promoters for Lover of Sin's 2003 world tour wrongly billed them as Christian Death.Christian Death 1334
During the latter part of 2006 it was announced that the original members of Christian Death (minus the deceased Williams) were to reunite as a new band.The number "1334" was frequently used by Williams in reference to the year of the first outbreak of the black death.Rozz to the Catastrophe Ballet and Ashes releases and later claimed by Valor to be his own compositions.The current setlist for the band includes the entire Only Theatre of Pain album and the track "Sleepwalk" from Catastrophe Ballet.Valor who owns the copyright for the Christian Death name has publicly denounced the project on his homepage, calling the reunion of the original members an "unofficial tribute band", stating:
There is a bogus concert being organised by an unofficial "TRIBUTE band", featuring the christiandeath name which is not Christian death.It is billed as taking place at the Henry Fonda Theatre on Hollywood BLVD.Christian death and steps are being taken to ensure that fans will not be ripped off as this is not the start of the long awaited tour.The only action taken so far by Valor is the removal of a video trailer for the band's first reunion gig from YouTube under the guise of the Christian Death Society.This page was last modified 10:05, 28 December 2007.All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.See Copyrights for details.Sign in to get personalized recommendations.Use fewer keywords to find more results.Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.Top 5 download updates from Macworl...Regardless of who was leading or performing in the group, Christian Death set themselves up to shock, both in their cover art and their lyrics, which wallowed in blasphemy, morbidity, drug use, and sexual perversity.British glam rockers like David Bowie and Roxy Music, as well as industrial provocateurs Throbbing Gristle.Christian Death name led to a bitter feud between the two, not to mention competing versions of the group, leading many of their fans to take sides.Nevertheless, Christian Death had an enormous influence on the American goth scene, shaping the sensibility of countless goth, metal, and even industrial acts that followed.The band didn't really take off until it changed its name to Christian Death (reportedly inspired by a goof on designer Christian Dior's name) and added onetime Adolescents guitarist Rikk Agnew.In 1981, they made their recorded debut with several tracks on the L.Hooking up with Frontier Records, Christian Death issued their debut album, the goth landmark Only Theatre of Pain, in 1982.Having already booked a European tour, the original lineup of Christian Death splintered amid infighting and drug abuse.Pompeii 99, and eventually settled on retaining the more evocative Christian Death name.Christian Death lineup (bassist Constance Smith was also onboard, but was soon replaced on the tour by the Sex Gang Children's Dave Roberts).By this time, Christian Death were drawing predictable fire from religious groups in the U.Valor Kand took over leadership of Christian Death, now serving as lead vocalist and songwriter.Reportedly, Kand and Williams had agreed to rename the existing band Sin and Sacrifice; however, on the ensuing tour of Italy, fans assumed they were still watching Christian Death.Defrauded and left penniless by the tour promoter, the band recorded a quick EP for the Italian label Supporti Fonografici called The Wind Kissed Pictures, which was credited to The Sin and Sacrifice of Christian Death in order for fans to know whom they were buying.Christian Death name, as once again few people comprehended the change.Now settled in England, Christian Death added bassist Johann Schumann and returned to the Welsh studio where they'd cut Catastrophe Ballet.Williams effort was 1986's Atrocities, a concept album about the aftereffects of World War II on the European psyche.Their next project was Jesus Christ Proudly Presents Christian Death, a box set of concert EPs from 1986 and early 1987.That whittled Christian Death down to a quartet for the 1988 single "Church of No Return," one of their more accessible efforts.The ensuing furor helped make the album the group's biggest seller; it also saw them evolving into a more basic, straightforward goth metal band.In 1989, with new second guitarist Nick the Bastard onboard, the group issued the concert document The Heretics Alive.Gitane Demone subsequently left the band, not to mention her longtime lover Valor Kand, citing dissatisfaction with his new direction; she relocated to Amsterdam and pursued a jazz singing career.Christian Death lineup splintered completely, leaving Kand essentially a solo auteur despite continued instrumental assistance from Nick the Bastard.Jesus Points the Bone at You?.Meanwhile, a penniless Rozz Williams had resurrected his own version of Christian Death during the late '80s, with his wife Eva O.In 1992, with Valor's version of the band in recording hibernation, Williams issued The Iron Mask as Christian Death, its title a pointed reference to the Alexandre Dumas novel about a usurper who imprisons the rightful heir to the throne.The Path of Sorrows, followed in 1993, with a new lineup behind Williams and O.Williams' reclamation of the Christian Death name sparked a fierce court battle with Valor Kand, who eventually won trademark rights and forced Williams to bill his version of the band as "Christian Death Featuring Rozz Williams."In part to keep his rival from stealing his thunder, Kand assembled a new Christian Death of his own, centered around himself and new wife Maitri on bass and vocals.As it turned out, Williams' version would not release another full album of original material.Valor Kand put aside his previous animosity to dedicate that year's Pornographic Messiah album to Williams, going so far as to draw from some of Williams' more experimental influences.The two groups got along well enough for several Cradle members to guest on Christian Death's 2001 album Born Again Anti Christian, helping it become one of the most metallic records in their catalog.Lover of Sin (confusingly labeled on the cover as "Christian Death Presents..."In 2003, Cradle of Filth guitarist Gian Pyres officially joined Christian Death for their European tour.Williams called his group the Upsetters, which also included guitarist Jay, bassist James McGearty, and drummer George Belanger.In 1981, they made their recorded debut with several tracks on the L.Hooking up with Frontier Records, Christian Death issued their debut album, the goth landmark Only Theatre of Pain, in 1982.Having already booked a European tour, the original lineup of Christian Death splintered amid infighting and drug abuse.Pompeii 99, and eventually settled on retaining the more evocative Christian Death name.By this time, Christian Death were drawing predictable fire from religious groups in the U.Valor Kand took over leadership of Christian Death, now serving as lead vocalist and songwriter.Reportedly, Kand and Williams had agreed to rename the existing band Sin and Sacrifice; however, on the ensuing tour of Italy, fans assumed they were still watching Christian Death.Defrauded and left penniless by the tour promoter, the band recorded a quick EP for the Italian label Supporti Fonografici called The Wind Kissed Pictures, which was credited to The Sin and Sacrifice of Christian Death in order for fans to know whom they were buying.Christian Death name, as once again few people comprehended the change.Atrocities, a concept album about the aftereffects of World War II on the European psyche.Their next project was Jesus Christ Proudly Presents Christian Death, a box set of concert EPs from 1986 and early 1987.His liner notes explained his elaborate intellectual concepts in painstaking detail, and he increasingly used interviews as a platform to launch vitriolic attacks on his favorite targets.Christian Death lineup splintered completely, leaving Kand essentially a solo auteur despite continued instrumental assistance from Nick the Bastard.Jesus Points the Bone at You?.Williams issued The Iron Mask as Christian Death, its title a pointed reference to the Alexandre Dumas novel about a usurper who imprisons the rightful heir to the throne.The similarly conceived Skeleton Kiss EP appeared on its heels.The result was released in 1994 by Triple X as the live album Iconologia.Christian Death Featuring Rozz Williams.In part to keep his rival from stealing his thunder, Kand assembled a new Christian Death of his own, centered around himself and new wife Maitri on bass and vocals.Born Again Anti Christian, helping it become one of the most metallic records in their catalog.In 2003, Cradle of Filth guitarist Gian Pyres officially joined Christian Death for their European tour.Write a ReviewYour TakeTell the world what you think about Christian Death!Buy Death of a Christian at SHOP.Complimentary Christian Ringtone for Your Cellphone, Worship God.No Credit Card, All Phones.Enter Your Email To Get A Free Franklin Electronic Bible.Christian Death at Amazon.Shopping APIs, now powering Yahoo!Information about prices, products, services and merchants is provided by third parties and is for informational purposes only.Official Christian Death Bio In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth.Then Christian Death turned it upside down.Only Theatre Of Pain in 1982.Rozz took over vocals leaving Valor to focus on guitar.The Pompeii 99 had been planning their first tour when it was proposed by their French record company, to merge Pompeii 99 into a new version of Christian Death which after some debate was agreed upon.Thus, began the new Christian Death and the first Pompeii 99 tour became the first Christian Death tour.Like the first Pompeii 99 album, Catastrophe Ballet had an apocalyptic theme, however the music morphed into something not quite Pompeii 99 and nothing like the first Christian Death album.Valor returned to vocals, the band embarked on the 2nd tour.This was turning point for the band.This was a full frontal attack by Valor against the Church with a scathing heretical mockery of organized Christianity.Late in 91, after being in several other bands and seven years after quitting Christian Death, Rozz was persuaded by unscrupulous profiteers to perform at a concert in Los Angels under the name Christian Death.On the same day Christian Death was in Europe performing in Paris, France.Assuming this was a one time effort to earn extra cash, as explained to Valor by Rozz, Valor ignored the incident and carried on recording and touring, only to later learn that a live album of the show had been released using the name Christian Death followed by a hastily recorded studio album also using the name, which led to a turf war.Cradle of Filth and a song sung by Dani Filth.In 2000 the band promoted the album on tour with Cradle Of Filth.While on tour with Cradle Of Filth, former Cradle of Filth Drummer Will Was Sargenson played in Christian Death.Later that year Cradle Of Filth guitarist Gian Peres joined Christian Death for the 2003 tour, Lover Of Sin was the support.The cure, the mission, Alien sex fiend, sisters of mercy, all about eve, siouxsie and the banshees, the glove, the danse society, march violets, gene loves jezebel, jay aston, sex gang children, fields of the nephilim, my chemical romance, linkin park, the cult, buzzcocks, the smiths, the creatures, pod, lover of sin, genitorturers, Misfits, diet of worms, ladytron, soft cell, adam ant, type o negative, pantera, rob zombie, placebo, the sisterhood, dead can dance, lisa gerrard, bauhaus, pete murphy, love and rockets, Celtic Frost, david sylvian, mick karn, steve jansen and richard barbieri, KISS, Iggy Pop, TWISTED SISTER, specimin, rosetta stone, red lorry, yellow lorry, the damned, cradle of filth, into a circle, getting the fear, balaam and the angel, good charlotte, u2,
Influences: Points To Consider.We will delete any particularly pointless hate comments.You could try and be constructive with your criticism though.And don't believe everything you read on wikipedia its mostly bullshit written by people who don't have a clue or have a vested commercial interest in perpetuating myths about past members.Also, Christian Death cannot condone the acts of people trying to make money out of Rozz's Death for their own ends.Afterall guys, Christian Death is a Band that was started in the 80's and still going strong today.The Official Merch will be online soon, but in the meantime, Cafepress store has some nice merch items (thongs are a bit small though, buy a size larger) Finally, Big Thanks To Season Of Mist.THESE GUYS RULE THE GOTH WORLD WITH OR WITHOUT ORIGIONAL MEMBERS!!!But, Ruining The Great Name Of Christian Death By Turning It Into This.If This Band Was A Stand Alone Band, It May Be Ok, But Using The Christian Death Name Is Like Stealing Another Bands Name, And this Band Is Not, And I Repeat,A GOTH BAND!Christian death lives in the hands of Eva now.CD 1334 is the real "Christian Death".Jan 05, 2008, 03:58pmI COULDNT GIVE TWO SHITS ABOUT WHAT ANY OF YOU SAY...Jan 04, 2008, 12:08pm"Also, Christian Death cannot condone the acts of people trying to make money out of Rozz's Death for their own ends.Afterall guys, Christian Death is a Band that was started in the 80's and still going strong today.If you're talking about Eva O, I agree.Dec 31, 2007, 08:22amI can't believe how shit christain death are now with Valour Kand in it Rozz Williams will always be better and Valour Kand will always be crap don't give up your day jobs because you might need them yet.Dec 27, 2007, 02:13pmIf you wish to know of my opinion,I believe that Valour Kand does not have the creative prowess(R.Valour shall not be given sympathy for his actions ranging from the selling of christian death music rights to mallcore giants Crapfull of Farts(cradle of Filth) among others.Pompeii 99 is not Christian death and I support 1334 by any means above modern Christian Shit.Dec 27, 2007, 02:50ami'm sorry I haven't anything better to do with my time..So I thought I'd get my opinion flat out...Valor licks serious butthole "As accusations and rumors against Valor were spread by the profiteers and financial backers of these unofficial releases, fans were left confused.Valor is a self absorbed lack wit.Christian death has made...And being such a "GOOD BAND" how can you not take disapproval?"Are you sure you want to block this user?InfluencesThis movie has much of the symbolism and many of the answers researched by Valor and other members of Christian Death.NL Monthly eZine
Guts Of Darkness .This is the Official Page for the Rock Band 'Christian Death'.Links to the new official christian death merchandise and CD's, Downloads etc will also be possible by means of this page.New Video Available Soon.Official Christian Death BioIn the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth.Then Christian Death turned it upside down.See the rest of theis article on CHRISTIANDEATH.Hope all is well for you and wanted to tell you thanx again for the help...Silent Decay (new Album!!!!Thanks so much for the support!Christian Death in Italy (Taranto) in 1989...You have eaten out my fear."Moon"Erica JongI always loved this moon poem, as I am a lover of the moon, it is embedded in my Cancerian heart.Just thought I would pass it on.NEW RELEASE ON PAPSTEC RECORDS !!!!Thanks for adding me, Christian Death!Also, I want to thank you for sharing that Zeitgeist video!CALL ME WHEN U GET THIS!!Hello Christian Death,Thank you for adding New Order as your friend, feel free to use the songs and videos for your profile and don't forget to put us in your top friends!Thankyou for accepting my invite , I am honoured , stay in touch .Visit Myspace Page and the Official Web Site and listen to the songs.HI,thanks for the add,I haven't seen you since 1993,I am looking forward to the U.Bremen 10th of May in Bremen!Dutch East India Trading) 1989 + 1990 (Cleopatra) 1999 (Candlelight) 2003The Wind Kissed Pictures EP (It.Contempo) 1987Jesus Christ Proudly Presents Christian Death (Ger.Dutch East India Trading) 1989All the Love All the Hate Part One: All the Love (UK Jungle) 1989 (Ger.Cleopatra) 1993Iconologia: Apparitions Dreams and Nightmares (Triple X) 1993 + 2004The Doll's Theatre (Cleopatra) 1994Sexy Death God (Nostradamus) 1994 (Cleopatra) 1999 (Candlelight) 2003The Rage of Angels (Cleopatra) 1994Death in Detroit (Cleopatra) 1995Amen (Ger.Cleopatra) 2005CHRIST DEATHMandylion (Ger.Triple X) 1998The Original Shadow Project (Ger.Cult Music) 1992Lullabies for a Troubled World EP (Hol.Triple X) 1999Stars of Trash (Ger.Apollyon) 2001DEMONIXNever Felt So Alive (Ger.Hypnobeat) 1994Never Felt So Alive: The Lost Mixes (Ger.Paragoric) 2002EVA OPast Time (Cleopatra) 1993SUPER HEROINESLove and Pain (Cleopatra) 1993EVA O.Few groups
have histories as tangled as Christian Death's: the band
has gone through countless lineup changes and thrown off a
multitude of side projects and solo careers.Christian Death went through several lineup shifts
following the release of Only Theatre of Pain and
finally fell apart.Despite some misgivings, the group
ultimately opted to keep the Christian Death
name in order to capitalize on a French record deal and
European tour opportunities, a decision that would prove
the first step on a path of much controversy.Catastrophe Ballet reveals a
maturation in Williams' stylings, vocally and lyrically.Kand, though the album credits
ignore the fact that "Sleepwalk" was done by the prior
Christian Death) is augmented by an otherworldly guitar
tone, cavernous drums, hollow bass (by Constance Smith) and
funereal organ to cast a delicious iciness over the whole
affair.Williams phase of the band.Ashes,
which raises a bit of internal controversy over which key
any given song should employ.Kand's singing, alone and
combined with DeMone's, is rather more accessible than
Williams', although his lyrics are not on par with those of
his predecessor.Huns, horsemen and Ma'gog, pontificating in a most truly
offensive manner.The core trio also manages to cover a
Jimi Hendrix song ("1983," sung by DeMone) and play the
relatively incidental (but agreeable) rock music with the
assistance of guitarist James Beam and bassist Kota.Christian Death claims to have assembled An Official
Anthology by collecting and culling illicit concert
recordings made of them between 1981 and 1986.Shows from
London, Amsterdam and Los Angeles are included, as are
three previously unrecorded tracks.Christian Death then lost all of its members apart from
Valor himself.Nick the Bastard (part of the
Heretics Alive ensemble), Kand came up with an
ambitiously simpleminded concept project, released as two
separately packaged LPs.Christian Death music always resounds the
conflict between mankind and the natural order, albeit
chaos."Christian Death for a series of nostalgic live dates in
1989 and 1990.Williams' Christian Death
tenure as well as two unissued studio tracks (one the
memorable rocker "Haloes") he recorded after leaving.Challenging himself to lead a successful band without
relying on the drawing power of the Christian Death name,
Williams formed Shadow Project with Eva O.Oddly enough, Rozz's and Eva's original
incarnation a few years prior had featured David Glass,
Johann Schumann and Barry Galvin, all defectors from Valor
Kand's Christian Death and future members of Mephisto Walz.Williams for wailing, chilling choruses in
a strong, throaty alto.Williams' lyrics are,
of course, obsessed with the obvious: death ("Funeral
Rites"), religion ("Static Jesus," "Thy Kingdom Come") and
violence ("Night Stalker").The music is notably more
spacious and melodic, but still aims to provoke the usual
unease.The Iron Mask finds Williams hoisting the
Christian Death banner on record once again.Listo and drummer David Melford, he reworks
songs from Christian Death's first three albums.Every King a Bastard Son.William Faith (later of Faith and the Muse), drummer Stevyn
Grey and several guests."Mother"
(which strongly resembles Bauhaus' "Hollow Hills").Lou
Reed's "Kill Your Sons" and two new songs.Christian Death shows so
unlistenable that it actually includes the band's apology
for the sound quality.Other
than several studio outtakes, the tracks are mainly concert
recordings.As on most Christian Death live albums, the
fidelity is dicey and the performances strangely
unenthusiastic.And
some of Valor's songs do turn out extremely well, after
all."Jezebel's Tribulation" is spirited fun,
while "Strange Fortune" finds him crooning with surprising
delicacy, accompanied by spare
acoustic guitar and slightly ominous percussion.The live album streak ended with the release of The
Rage of Angels, which was recorded at the same sessions
that produced The Path of Sorrows.Except for a jaunty, likable cover of
David Bowie's "Panic in Detroit," the album is virtually
indistinguishable from its cousin: the same melodramatic
vocal delivery dwelling on the same lyrical subjects, all
set to the same jagged guitar and spooky effects.The disappointing context, however, makes
these glimmers of life more frustrating than anything
else.Dumbly pretentious was a lot more interesting than
just plain dumb.At this point, Valor is hardly even
trying.Death in Detroit consists of remixes of various
Christian Death classics ("Spiritual Cramp," "Figurative
Theatre," "Skeleton Kiss") by members of Spahn Ranch,
Rosetta Stone, Die Krupps and others."Panic in Detroit" by Zero
Gravity's Len Del Rio are truly original interpretations of
the material.While Valor flew the Christian Death flag, Williams
began to record under his own name."Mind Fuck
(Soundtrack to a Murder)" as he gleefully spits out lines
like, "He has, among other things, been decapitated...If
anything,
his recitations are even more graphically disgusting.Nearly 10 minutes of dragging chains make up one "song."Williams fares much better in Daucus Karota, the band he
formed with bassist Mark Barone, drummer Christian Omar
Madrigal Izzo and guitarist Roxy.Williams, offering two
early Christian Death songs (Only Theatre of
Pain's "Cavity" and Ashes standout "When I Was
Bed"), a spoken piece, a number from Cabaret and a
10cc cover!DeMone tones it way down on Lullabies
for a Troubled World, possibly the most enjoyable music
released by anyone in the Christian Death camp.Simple,
pretty piano provides the main accompaniment for Demone's
classy, expressive vocals.It's hard to
believe this is the same woman whose shrieks and screams
made some of Christian Death's albums such perilous
listening.Holland: "Golden Age," "Little Birds" and Cole
Porter's "Love for Sale."Dream Home Heartache,
their official duo album.DeMone's lounge act style, making for a surreal experience
that could be the score to some warped, shadowy Broadway
musical.When Shadow Project disbanded and her involvement with
Williams' new Christian Death gained speed, Eva released
Past Time as a sampler of her career.Three new solo
songs join tracks by the Speed Queens, Super Heroines and
Christian Death.Christian and released A Demon's Fall for an
Angel's Kiss.His ridiculous performance and awful
lyrics quash any evocative quality the references might
have held.When the songs, in quieter moments, manage to
convey some atmosphere, tedious repetition ruins the
effect.Although they had broken up as a couple, Eva and Rozz
resurrected Shadow Project for the nearly acoustic From
the Heart.He committed suicide on April 1, 1998.The year following Williams' death saw the release of
Pig, a disturbing short film on which he
collaborated, and its soundtrack.You worthless piece of shit," it's easy to
reciprocate the feeling.Misleadingly credited to Christian Death, Lover of
Sin is a new project entirely.Death Club, put together with the assistance of
drummer David Glass, is a retrospective of Rozz Williams'
Christian Death work, paired with a DVD of concert film, a
TV appearance and exclusive interview footage. |
