Gothic Icon

SISTERS OF MERCYs Floodland defined the term Gothic new in more than just one way. Craig Adams and Wayne Hussey left after the first album to form their own band The Mission. Mr. Eldritch then joined forces with Patricia Morrison of The Gun Club (Bass/Vocals) and began working on Floodland. The couple was joined in the studio only by a few session musicians, and Doktor Avalanche, of course. Andrew Eldritch composed and wrote the whole album alone. The album consists of completely over-produced pieces like This Corrosion (Jim Steinmann of Meat Loaf fame…) with it’s Wagnerian choirs, and on the opposite a few beautiful and completely reduced tunes like Torch (heard before on the Sisterhood EP Gift) and 1959. (Gothic) Imagery especially in video clips and on promo pictures was very strong. Dominion was shot in the desert arround Petra in Jordan, wondeful scenes with Andrew and Patricia as a couple. Floodland is remaining a classic, even though Mr. Eldritch does not like the G-Word so much these days. The Sisters are still active on the live front, while the audience is waiting for a new record since 1993… Best Tracks: Dominion/Mother Russia, Lucretia my Reflection, Colours. Released in 1987.

After the thrill has gone

Alright, here’s an obscure one for you. THE HUNT out of Toronto, Canada. A three piece known only to few rockers around the world. But what I read online, they toured in Texas quite a few times and also had a strong fanbase in upstate New York. This is their third album and it is somewhat different from their first two more Progressive Rock like, records. Here they play it heavier, but always with a melodic touch. Paul Dickinson (Guitar/Vocals), Carl Calvert (Bass/Vocals) and Paul Kersey on Drums formed THE HUNT in 1977. Sadly The Thrill of the Kill was their last regulary album. It was followed only by a best of album in 1985, but at the time of release, the band already has folded. Best Tracks: You in the night, Time goes on, The Hills, Wishing Well. Worst Song: Fire (a completely unnecessary cover of the classic Arthur Brown Tune). Released in 1982.

Formation of the Black Metal Legions

VENOMs debut album Welcome to Hell arrived with a bang in 1981. Nobody heard such a harsh production on a Heavy Metal record so far. Some say it sounded only that extreme because of the cheap equipment they used during the three day recording session at Neat Records studio. Nonetheless Welcome to Hell paved the way to the term Black Metal used on VENOMs second album. Messrs. Chronos, Mantas and Abaddon of Newcastle upon Tyne scorched out a unique blend of very dark, very distorted and very unusual music. Tracks like Witching Hour or One Thousand Days in Sodom are still very impressive today. At the time the metal community was extremly impressed by their visual presence. Pics first released in Kerrang magazine or on their records had them always caught in over the top poses. Almost all their lyrics contained some satanic Hints. All in all, they were a breed apart but today Welcome to Hell is a classic. Best Tracks: Live like an Angel (Die like a Devil), Witching Hour, In League with Satan. Released in 1981. Be sure to buy the 2002 release on Castle/Sanctuary with 11 bonus tracks. 666