Only Theatre of Pain

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Only Theatre of Pain
Studio album by Christian Death
Released	1982
Recorded	1982
Genre	Deathrock Gothic rock
Label	Frontier Records
Producer	Thom Wilson and Christian Death
Professional reviews
Allmusic link
Christian Death chronology
Deathwish EP (1981) Only Theatre Of Pain (1982) Catastrophe Ballet (1984)

Only Theatre of Pain was Christian Death's debut full-length album. Originally released by Frontier Records in 1982, this album is considered the harbinger of deathrock and American goth rock. All tracks after "Prayer" (on the later published CD version only) actually comprise the earlier EP, "Deathwish". The writing of Only Theatre of Pain was Rozz's rebellion to his religious upbringing as well his own personal attacks against organized religion.

Contents 1 History 2 Track listing 2.1 CD version only 3 Credits

[edit] History

Christian Death's appearance on the Hell Comes to Your House compilation helped to get them signed to Frontier Records, which released their debut album, Only Theatre of Pain, in March 1982. This album featured deathrock anthems such as "Spiritual Cramp" and "Romeo's Distress". In England, despite the album's initially limited availability, Only Theatre of Pain would have a strong influence on many gothic rock groups who had come after Bauhaus appeared, including Sex Gang Children and Death Cult, the latter of which was the precursor to The Cult.

[edit] Track listing

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"

[edit] CD version only

11. "Deathwish"
12. "Romeo's Distress" (Demo)
13. "Dogs"
14. "Desperate Hell"
15. "Spiritual Cramp" (Demo)
16. "Cavity" (Demo)

[edit] Credits

• Rozz Williams - vocals
• James McGearty - bass
• Rikk Agnew - guitar, keyboards
• George Belanger - drums