Christian Death. The name alone is powerful. A title of the largest religion in the world- Christianity, and Death- an end of life, a fate and mystery that we must all meet. Many say they know exactly what will happen to them at death, and yet who can fully know, except perhaps those that meet it. Together- the name provokes inquiry. Is the band Christian? Satanic? In reality, actually neither. Led today by vocalist Valor and singer Maitri, along with Jason on percussion, Christian Death has emerged from the shadows of 2013, looking and sounding as great as ever.
Valor and Christian Death
With a name designed not only to provoke thought, but to stand up to tyranny in all forms- Valor of Christian Death is not only highly intelligent and philosophical, he is also rational. “I have nothing against Christians,” he states, “I just want them to open up their minds a little.” Born in the spirit and sound of the punk scene, which was rooted in musical aggression, and freedom, Christian Death cemented its place in musical history among the top greatest bands of all time in the genre referred to by some as ‘gothic’ or earlier, ‘death rock,’ which focused often on the macabre, horror, the romantic and Renaissance era, and the theatrics of vampiristic cinema, literature, and lore.
Hear and see one of the early classic songs by Valor with Christian Death in the video here below:
The History
Officially there have been over 30 musicians involved with the band Christian Death. Formed in Los Angeles and fronted by a then 16 year old vocalist and lyricist Rozz Williams, the band released the first album “Only Theatre Of Pain” in 1982. A dark, sinister style of punk rock. The album gained massive underground success. Valor said that at this time, the band stopped making music. Singer Rozz then joined the band “Pompeii 99” founded by singer, guitarist, song writer Valor. Rozz took over vocals leaving Valor to focus on guitar. Before Rozz joined Pompeii 99, the band had already released their fist album “Look At Yourself” to much acclaim, which had an apocalyptic theme with a punk rock flavor. The Pompeii 99 had been planning their first tour when it was proposed by their French record company, to merge Pompeii 99 into a new version of Christian Death which after some debate was agreed upon. Thus, began the new Christian Death and the first Pompeii 99 tour became the first Christian Death tour.
Catastrophe Ballet
Part way through the tour, the band stopped in Wales to record songs, some of which were originally intended for the next Pompeii 99 album. The fusion of which led to the unique sound of the classic “Catastrophe Ballet.” Like the first Pompeii 99 album, Catastrophe Ballet had an apocalyptic theme; however the music morphed into something not quite Pompeii 99 and nothing like the first Christian Death album. After the tour, the band returned to L.A. to later record the 3rd Christian Death album “Ashes” which was a post apocalyptic vision of a cold and bleak future.
After confirming the second tour in 1985, Valor reported that singer Rozz quit the band. Valor returned to vocals, and the band embarked on the second tour. In Italy, the band recorded the mini album “The Wind Kissed Pictures,” a surrealist view of a mystical past. Almost immediately, work began on the fourth full length album “Atrocities” inspired by the atrocities of World War II and the connection to future shock waves. While continuously touring in 1987, the band released the fifth and now classic album “The Scriptures,” the theme of which explored world religion and how the legacy of these beliefs impact our world today.
Maitri Joins Forces
1988 found themselves confronted by protesters, riots and bomb threats with its release of “Sex and Drugs and Jesus Christ.” These events and the band’s imagery and fashion since its inception, went on to influence bands including Nine Inch Nails, Korn, Marilyn Manson, Type O Negative, almost every so called “Goth” band ever formed, as well as others from varying musical genres. 1989 saw the release of the double album epic “All the Love, All the Hate” interpreting the juxtaposition between life and death, day and night, man and woman, black and white. In 1991 came the release of “Insanus, Ultio, proditio, Misericordiaque,” with its theme of an ancient dream state. By 1994, female vocalist and bass guitarist Maitri, (the now second most continuous member of Christian Death) joined the band. In 1996 came the release of “Prophecies” with its theme based on the Apocalyptic prophecies of soothsayers throughout the ages.
In 1997, Rozz left the world. A report on this will be released in a future issue of subnormal magazine online. In 1998, and 1999 Christian Death released their next two albums back to back, the latter of which featured members of Cradle of Filth and a song sung by Dani Filth. In 2000 the band promoted the album on tour with Cradle Of Filth. While on tour with Cradle Of Filth, former Cradle of Filth Drummer Will Was Sargenson played in Christian Death.
Touring with Cradle of Filth
Hollywood Entertainment Calendar
NOVEMBER
18, Hunger Games Catching Fire Premiere and red carpet, Nokia, Los Angeles
23, Starpower Management Annual Model and Talent Call; Los Angeles Cycle 1, Chinatown
25, Starpower Management Annual Model and Talent Call; Chicago, Illinois, Michigan Avenue
DECEMBER
13, Das Bunker, special event, Hollywood
14, Starpower Management Annual Model and Talent Call; Los Angeles Cycle 2, Hollywood
21, Winter Solstace; Starpower Management Annual Model & Talent Call; Los Angeles, Cycle 3, Santa Monica, California
31, New Years Eve
JANUARY 2014
1, New Years Day
2, Warhol Out West, final day for this Warhol art show at bgfa, Bellagio, Las Vegas
5, Blue Oyster Cult, The Canyon
6, Berlin, The Canyon
31, The Tubes, The Canyon
Bruce Edwin is editor of subnormal magazine and The Hollywood Sentinel, and President of Starpower Management; the model and talent management, production, and publishing firm. Contact Bruce at www.TheHollywoodSentinel.com.
