The Black Album

by The Damned

The Black Album cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 3 November 1980
  • Label: Chiswick
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 1:49:06
  • Community rating: 3.93/5 from 7 ratings

Artists on this release: Rat Scabies, Dave Vanian, Paul Gray, Captain Sensible

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Ambitiously sprawling across two records, The Damned's fourth album marks a massive evolutionary leap far beyond their traditional three-chord punk origins. 'The Black Album' is an incredibly eclectic, wildly energetic masterwork that seamlessly weaves gothic rock atmosphere, acoustic guitars, and sweeping synthesizer passages into fiercely rebellious, highly mysterious punk anthems.

Genres

Descriptors: rhythmic, DIY, fast, distorted, melodic, dynamic, guitars, theatrical, horror

Tracklist

  1. Wait for the Blackout (3:51)
  2. Lively Arts (2:55)
  3. Silly Kid's Games (2:15)
  4. Drinking About My Baby (3:28)
  5. Twisted Nerve (4:35)
  6. Hit or Miss (2:36)
  7. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (4:31)
  8. Sick of This and That (1:47)
  9. The History of the World, Pt. 1 (3:52)
  10. 13th Floor Vendetta (5:04)
  11. Therapy (6:11)
  12. Curtain Call (17:14)
  13. Love Song - Live Version (2:10)
  14. Second Time Around - Live Version (1:46)
  15. Smash It up Parts, Pt. 1 & Pt. 2 - Live Version (4:24)
  16. New Rose - Live Version (1:49)
  17. I Just Can't Be Happy Today - Live Version (3:55)
  18. Plan 9 Channel 7 - Live Version (5:12)
  19. White Rabbit - 7" Version (3:00)
  20. Rabid (Over You) (3:44)
  21. Seagulls (2:36)
  22. The History of the World, Pt. 1 - Single Version (3:48)
  23. I Believe the Impossible (2:54)
  24. Sugar & Spite (1:30)
  25. There Ain't No Sanity Clause (2:29)
  26. Looking at You - Live Version (5:51)
  27. White Rabbit - Extended Version (5:24)

Credits

  • The Damned - primary artist
  • H. Leadbitter - design [execution]
  • Dave Vanian - design, artwork [concept], performer, vocals, producer
  • Allan Ballard - design, photography by
  • Hugh Jones - engineer
  • Paul Gray - performer, bass, producer
  • Rat Scabies - performer, vocals, drums, guitar
  • Captain Sensible - performer, vocals, guitar, keyboards, lead vocals [solo]
  • Chris Millar - producer
  • Ray Burns - producer
  • The Kings Of Reverb - producer
  • Hans Zimmer - producer, synthesizer

More from The Damned: full discography