Christian Death
Goth's unlikely tendency to flourish in the world's sunniest
places could be said to start with the debut album ( Only Theatre
Of Pain ) from Los Angeles band Christian Death.
Formed by Rozz
Williams - and featuring Rikk Agnew of hardcore band The
Adolescents on guitar - Christian Death were standard bearers for
the American death rockers, with songs like Spiritual Cramp and
Romeo's Distress as twisted and overwrought as anything being
produced in the UK at the time.
 Christian Death earn additional
special Goth cred points for the fact that Only Theatre Of Pain
was once smashed up on an Evangelical TV show for being 'satanic'.
Besides Rozz, the line-up was completely different by the
second album, Catastrophe Ballet (1984).
The LP also
showed a richer, less harsh side to Williams' vocal stylings,
with more influence from David Bowie and Lou Reed.
Rather than
the occult-oriented lyrics from the first album, the singer
showed a new-found interest in Surrealism and the Dada movement.
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