Only Theatre of Pain

by Christian Death

Only Theatre of Pain cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 24 March 1982
  • Label: Frontier
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 52:27
  • Community rating: 3.72/5 from 8 ratings

Artists on this release: Rikk Agnew, George Belanger, James McGearty

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Essentially creating the blueprint for American deathrock, Christian Death's debut album is a bleak, profoundly unsettling marriage of hardcore punk speed and gothic despair. Rozz Williams’ anguished, anti-religious vocals dominate over Rikk Agnew’s gloomy, chorus-laden guitar work, making 'Only Theatre of Pain' an incredibly raw, highly influential, and intensely dark underground classic.

Genres

Descriptors: anti-religious, death, paranormal, atmospheric, theatrical

Tracklist

  1. Cavity - First Communion
  2. Figurative Theatre
  3. Burnt Offerings
  4. Mysterium Iniquitatis
  5. Dream for Mother
  6. Stairs - Uncertain Journey
  7. Spiritual Cramp
  8. Romeo's Distress
  9. Resurrection - Sixth Communion
  10. Prayer

Credits

  • Christian Death - primary artist, producer
  • James McGearty - bass, written-by
  • Rozz Williams - design concept [cover concept and drawings], illustration [cover concept and drawings], vocals, written-by
  • George Belanger - drums
  • Rikk Agnew - guitar, written-by
  • Ed Colver - photography by
  • Thom Wilson - producer

More from Christian Death: full discography