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Christian Death
Atrocities (Re-release)
~reviewed by Matthew
Heilman
Being that it is perhaps one of the most
criminally under appreciated albums of Gothic Rock, it is my absolute pleasure
to review this disc. Candlelight Records has recently saw fit to
re-release the masterpiece Atrocities, the 1986 concept album that
was the first full-length Christian Death record released after the departure
of Rozz Williams.
For years, people have held close to their
habits of dismissing the work Valor Kand did with and continues to do for
the band Christian Death. Without question, Rozz Williams was an exceptional
lyricist, vocalist, artist, and musician. Without him, there never would
have been such a thing as Death Rock. His influence is incomparable
and an incalculable amount of his work demonstrates nothing short of pure
genius. But without Valor, Christian Death would have ended after
Ashes was released. Though many believe that the band should have
dissolved at that point, it would have been a shame if some of those successive
releases had never come into being.
It is possible for open-minded people
to enjoy several of Valor’s releases for what they are - good Gothic Rock
records. Despite what fanatical fans of Rozz Williams claim, accepting
and listening to the music that Valor produced detracts absolutely nothing
from the legacy left by Rozz. Those that celebrate the achievements
of both artists are infinitely richer and will have three times the amount
of dark music to enjoy.
What critics inevitably overlook is that
Valor, Gitane, and David Glass were equally devoted to Christian Death
after Rozz recruited them in 1983. Their talent and work helped the
name Christian Death achieve notoriety at the first peak of the band’s
popularity in 1985. So why should they quit a band that they helped
make successful just because the founder of the project no longer wanted
to be a part of it? From 1984 into 1985, they helped make the name
Christian Death familiar to alternative music fans -- so they certainly
had a right to use it afterward.
The initial three recordings that Valor
released under the name Christian Death are some of the most influential
and powerful Gothic Rock albums ever recorded. Not to mention the
fact that it was Valor’s material that initially gained the attention of
post punk fans and dark alternative music fans in the late 80s. Valor’s
Christian Death yielded the most club hits (“This Is Heresy,” “Zero Sex,”
“Church Of No Return,” “Sick Of Love”) and it wasn’t until the mid 90s
that Rozz’s Christian Death material began to regularly appear on Goth
DJ’s playlists. (Ironically enough, Valor’s classic tracks have all
but disappeared these days – but this I suspect is due to trends, rather
than the quality of the music).
Besides the well-publicized but often
libelous information about Valor ‘stealing’ the name of Christian Death
and his ‘feuds’ with Rozz, the indisputable truth behind Valor’s decline
in popularity can be traced to the fact that he hit a *very low* period
in the early 90's when he released a few unfocussed albums that have no
more than one or two strong tracks. These releases were much more
experimental and unpredictable. As trends changed, Valor continued
to reinvent himself and gradually became more allied with darker metal
music and further from Gothic Rock. What it boils down to is that
he is a remarkably talented musician with more insight and vision in one
eye than most legendary musicians that get the most credit and attention
in this genre. He and Bari-Bari (who appears on this release and
the Wind Kissed Pictures EP from 1985) are responsible for setting
the standards of guitar driven Goth as it was throughout the late 80's
and into the 90's. But he continues to receive little respect from
those who would probably enjoy, understand, and appreciate him most.
With all that said and done, I will get
to the point and the matter at hand: which is to strongly urge readers
to check out Atrocities. The album is a conceptual release that
explores the ‘atrocities’ of WWII. The result is a stark and melancholic
descent into psychology and emotional trauma. This magnum opus begins with
a shrill, slithering violin sample lifted from one of Paganini’s 24 Caprices
and then crashes into the frantic firestorm of “Will O’ The Wisp.” A shuffling
and jagged rhythm underscores a discordant clamor of processed guitars
and droning church organs, while Valor’s smoky vocal delivery wavers from
a croon to a wail. The influence of punk rock had yet to fade
from Goth, and “Will O’ The Wisp” demonstrates this immediately.
A similar intensity resurfaces throughout much of the album, most notably
in the gigantic bass lines of “Strapping Me Down,” the shadowy mischief
of “Chimére de-si de-la” and the frenzied tribal drum cascades on
“Silent Thunder,” a track that also appears on the Mephisto Walz album
The Eternal Deep with Christiana’s vocals.
While several of the tracks are edgy,
up-tempo post punk blasts, the album is as atmospheric as it is confrontational.
The haunting gloom of "The Danzig Waltz" is truly unforgettable -- an eerie
track that centers on murky piano passages, crowned by Valor’s ghostly
vocals and jarring violin effects. Ethereal and apocalyptic folk fans will
also take delight in the mediaeval nostalgia of "Strange Fortune,” where
layers of acoustic guitar, hand percussion, and soft ambient lead guitars
create a warm and inviting mood.
But perhaps Gitane DeMone provides the
most atmospheric aspects of the album. Besides her distinctive back
up vocal contributions to nearly every track, “Atrocities” offers a few
of her most powerful and memorable lead vocal performances with Christian
Death. First with the dark and sensual classic, "Tales Of Innocence," which
is an unrivaled example of atmospheric Gothic Rock. Additionally,
Gitane's moving rendition of the infamous Billie Holiday lament "Gloomy
Sunday" first appeared on this album. Though these tracks are available
on various live compilations, absolutely nothing compares to the original
studio versions of these songs that first appeared on this release.
If you are a fan of the albums Catastrophe
Ballet and Ashes, then Atrocities will definitely appeal
to you. Though it does not feature the voice of Rozz Williams, musically
and thematically, it was a logical and appropriate development of the band’s
classic sound. Valor’s voice is commanding and hypnotic, and
the song writing and instrumental arrangements are probably the band’s
most mature and accessible. I hope that more people will be open-minded
and check out this fantastic and seminal release. There are few Gothic
Rock albums that feel as complete and satisfying as this one.
Track List:
1.) Will O’ The Wisp
2.) Tales Of Innocence
3.) Strapping Me Down
4.) The Danzig Waltz
5.) Chimére de-si de-la
6.) Silent Thunder
7.) Strange Fortune
8.) Ventriloquist
9.) Gloomy Sunday
10.) The Death of Josef
For this release, Christian Death was:
Valor Kand – vocals, guitars,
Gitane DeMone – vocals, synths, organ,
piano
David Glass – drums, percussion
Barry Galvin (Bari-Bari) - guitars
Johann Schumann – bass
Christian Death – Official Site:
http://www.christiandeath.com
Candlelight Records:
http://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk
RozzNet:
http://www.rozznet.com
John Collins’ Christian Death Page:
http://rozznet.com/collins/
03/20/03 |