Only Theatre of Pain

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Only Theatre of Pain
The background of the album cover is black, with a yellow Christian Death logo emboldened at the top of the artwork and "Only Theatre of Pain" at the bottom, both in scratchy yellow print. In between the two texts is a drawing of a distorted, ghoulish figure that resembles Jesus Christ in a crucifix pose. The artwork has yellow-line borders, resembling that of the Bible; furthering its religious affectations.
Studio album by Christian Death
Released March 1982
Genre
Length 32:20
Label Frontier
Producer
Christian Death chronology
Only Theatre of Pain
(1982)		 Deathwish
(1984)Deathwish1984

Only Theatre of Pain is the debut studio album by American rock band Christian Death, released in March 1982 by record label Frontier. The album was produced by Christian Death and Thom Wilson.[1] It is considered by most critics to be the harbinger of deathrock.[2]

On the 1993 CD reissue of the album (and subsequent issues), the band's 1984 EP Deathwish (recorded prior to Only Theatre of Pain) was appended to the original album.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 4.5/5 stars[2]
Record Collector 5/5 stars[3]
Melody Maker favourable[4]
Sounds 4/5 stars (1982)[5] (1983)[6]

Only Theatre of Pain was praised by critics upon its release. Mick Mercer of Melody Maker called it the "gothic album to out-gothic all others".[4]

Around the time of its release, a presenter on a religious TV program, in a special on "Satanic influences", reportedly broke a copy of the album on air.[7]

In its retrospective review, Record Collector wrote, "Only Theatre of Pain's influence should not be underestimated".[3] Alex Ogg, writing in The Rough Guide to Rock, was less favourable, calling the album "self-aggrandizing doom rock redeemed only by strong musicianship."[8]

Anniversary concert

On April 13, 2007, the remaining members of the Only Theatre of Pain line-up of Christian Death reunited as Christian Death 1334 to perform the album in full at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The addition of "1334" to the end of the band's name was reportedly to make a distinction from the Valor Kand-led version of the band, which includes none of the group's original members; "1334" was also Rozz Williams' "signature number". At the time, it was reported by Blabbermouth.net that the band were working on new songs and were to commence the recording of a new album later in the year, but this never materialized.[9]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Rikk Agnew and Rozz Williams, except where noted. 

Side one
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Cavity – First Communion"     4:06
2. "Figurative Theatre"   Rozz Williams 2:41
3. "Burnt Offerings"     3:43
4. "Mysterium Iniquitatis"     2:46
5. "Dream for Mother"  
  • Rikk Agnew
  • James McGearty
  • Williams
 3:21
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Stairs – Uncertain Journey"  
  • McGearty
  • Williams
 3:06
2. "Spiritual Cramp"   Williams 2:55
3. "Romeo's Distress"     3:15
4. "Resurrection – Sixth Communion"     3:45
5. "Prayer"     2:41
Total length:
 32:20

Personnel

Christian Death
Additional personnel
Technical
  • Thom Wilson – production
  • Ed Colver – sleeve photography

References

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  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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