Only Theatre of Pain - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Album Description
Collaboration between singer/poet Rozz Williams & Rikk Agnew. 16 tracks. 1982.

Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

An amazing work of art. March 4, 2003
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

... In the 80's it was called Deathrock or Deathpunk. Listening to this album, you'll hear the punk influence clearly, yet this album is as weird and as experimental as rock & roll gets. Not to mention about as dark. The sounds that come from this disk can be best described as pure depression. From Rozz's sickening moans, to the bizarre guitar playing of Rick, and of course the gloom drenched lyrics. (Not as blasphemous as people say when you really look at them) .... ... Christian Death was a big influence on Mr. Manson and were infinitely cooler than he could ever hope to be. And PLEASE, for the love of heaven DO NOT buy a Christian Death cd without Rozz on vocals! You'll be supporting someone who stole the name of Rozz Williams' band and is currently capitalizing on his death. Also try Catastrophe Ballet, Ashes, The Iron Mask, Path Of Sorrows, and Rage Of Angels.

5 out of 5 stars

I'm Using My Fingers Instead Of Words January 27, 2005
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

This album came out the same year that I was born, making it 23 years old now. Yet, 23 years on, it still sounds as fresh as anything out there now. No, it sounds BETTER than anything coming out now.

I got this when I was 16 or so, making a transition from old school punk (Crass, Dead Kennedys, et al) into more "goth" music and culture, like Bauhaus, The Sisters, The Cure, etc.
Quite simply, it blew me away. The perfect blend of both styles, in my opinion. The lyrics are darkly violent, sexual, blasphemous, and above all, intelligent. The music is loud, and punky, but at the same time, noisy and often changes pace, something most punk and goth cannot claim. For all the fast, punkish songs, there are still dirgy, synth-laden ones, and tracks of pure noise collage hell. It does not give the impression of being dark and morbid simply for the sake of being dark and morbid-far from being contrived, it feels like this is the only way that Rozz and Rikk could have sounded at this point in time. Fluid yet dischorant all at once. I cannot recommend this album nearly enough.

While the production is not Pro-Tools perfect, it's still excellent, and really does not sound dated like a lot of albums of that time.

This is where the make-up set got their sound, make no mistake. None have done it better, and likely, none ever will. Rozz was a true original...I only wish that he and Boyd Rice had been able to do the long talked about project they talked about. Now that would have been an amazing recording...

The original Christian Death with Rozz Williams-accept NO immitations.

5 out of 5 stars

Death Rock At Its Finest April 22, 2004
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I first heard this when I was 15, back in 1985. At the time I was into Black Sabbath and moving into punk like Rudimentary Peni. I had always been moved by heavy, dark sounds. At the moment the needle hit the vinyl, I knew my destiny was right on course. This is by far the best death rock album of all time. There is nothing that sounds like it or even comes close to the beautiful gloom that Rozz created at a mere 16 years old. Maybe that is the charm. Part of it. Without Rikk Agnew, this would be a different record entirely. He only played on this one and Christian Death never had the same sound again.

Even now, in my 30's, I still find the musicianship on this record amazing. And not just for its time but for all time. I highly recommend this album for teenagers who like darker music. You know who you are. Marilyn Manson is not enough. The religious overtones, the creepy, mortuary vibe and the punk energy make for the perfect mix. I can't really compare them to Bauhaus, Joy Division, Sisters, Misfits, Rudimentary Peni, etc.. because they simply don't sound alike. There are so many genres or labels given to music but I feel this is the quintessential Death Rock album. Sometimes the stars do align, the graves are just the right depth and miracles do happen. This is one of them.

5 out of 5 stars The masterpiece that started it all! January 12, 2004
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

for those under the sad, incorrect impression that Christian death is a bad fifth rate satanic metal band lead by an ass clown named Skippy " Valor " Kand; PLEASE ALLOW ME TO CORRECT YOU! This is the first album by the ORIGINAL Christian Death; with founder and musical genius enigma/extrodinare ROZZ WILLIAMS, the only TRUE singer of Christian Death. Along with giutarist Rikk Agnew, bassit James McGerty, and drummer George Belenger, Rozz and Co. created the deathrock/punk classic that is " Only Theatre of Pain ". A true example of how the guitar ; with scathing layers and sometimes mere walls of feedback and sound; and the bass, meoldic driving lines can work INDEPENDENTLY
of one another, not just pounding the same two or three chords like the Misfits or the Ramones. Belenger's skinwork is powerful and thundering and Rozz's voice...it has to be heard to be believed but it is nothing short of magnificant and the lyrics brilliant! as I've said before: don't limit your listening of Rozz Williams to merely Christian death. Sadly, this is the only studio album Rozz recorded with this line-up. A masterstroke!

Kaenan James

5 out of 5 stars A dark Hypnotic album June 17, 2004
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

Christian Death's first album is a journey through dark landscapes and hopeless world's. The bass lines on all the tracks, from start to finish are really catchy and help give the all around "gloomy evil" ambient that this album evokes. This is certainly a must have for anybody into dark depressing music. Rozz Williams voice is like a tortured maniac, it seems like he is physically in pain at some points. "Romeos Distress", "Burnt Offerings" and the title track are definetly the stand out tracks, but the whole album in general is really original and pleasing to the ears. "Uncertain Journey" has a middle eastern inspired rythem that raises the hair form the back of my neck, "Satan be Who art in Heaven
Satan be Hallowed be thy Name
Satan be Thy Kingdom Come
Satan be Thy will be done
Satan be on Earth
Satan be as it is in Heaven"

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