"What an awful release. This is clearly Valor at his worst (although I still haven't heard "All the Hate" yet, so maybe not). Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally anti Valor-I thought "Atrocities" was an incredible effort-but this is an album that should be avoided at all costs. Period. I wish I could give it a zero!"
Haw Haw Haw!
A. Clark | Seattle, WA United States | 07/19/2000
(1 out of 5 stars)
"This album is so strikingly horrible that I don't know where to begin. To be brief, this was once a great band, "Only Theatre of Pain", "Catastrophe Ballet", "Ashes" and "Atrocities" (their earlier releases, and nothing besides these) were at least decent and for the most part strikingly monumental pieces of early 80's dark, artistic songwriting, transcending gothic pigeonholing (except "Atrocities", which is gother than thou). Lineup changes however whittled away any talent this band had. The highlight of this album is, of course, Gitane Demone's vocals, and "Incendiary Lover" is a fine song, suitably trashy. Mostly though, Mr. Valor sings on several of the songs, and selflessly he writes them (Oh Great One!). This album was in a transitional period, between the previous beauty and what was to come, and it seems everyone forgot how to play their instruments and how to write a song! "Your church makes me vomit into the vertiginous abyss"...that's certainly a profound piece of lyricism! What makes this album all the more worse is the recording quality. It sounds like it was recorded in a tin can at the bottom of the sea. Forays into "experimental" music are evident as well and provide the most laughable moments on this (expletive) album."
An underatted album...by ANGEL OF GENOCIDE
03/17/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Most people aren't too much into this album although the track " This Is Heresy " got some considerable attention and is a pulse pounding intense goth rock number. Gitane deMone, on her second to last outing with CD ( " Heretics Alive " would be the last ) shines on the the funky " Jesus, Where's the Sugar "
out of control rock song " Erection " and wonderfully trashy goth dance song " Incendinary Lover ". Vaor show his stuff with rock songs like " Wretched Mankind " and " a hundred Thounsand.."
and indulges his experimental side as usual with the " Third Antichrist " and " Window Pain ' which Gitane helps out on. Not the first CD album I would recommend but it's a good one and if u're a fan of EITHER Rozz Williams or Valor and have a growing cataloug, get this. ---ANGEL OF GENOCIDE"
Super
Mac | Sweden | 06/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I know that a lot of people don't like this C.D album but i think it is one of Christian Death best albums. This record was my first with Christian Death and mayby that's why i love it so much. They have good mix of very catchy songs and some very dark ones. Some of Valor's best work is on this album and i think you should buy this one and give it a fair chance."
Gothic pioneers going into heavier directions?
Ken | Youngsville, LA USA | 04/28/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Valor's Christian Death has seen many phases, changes, and mutations. Ultimately, `Sex And Drugs And Jesus Christ" was the beginning of a really heavy-edged and ironically simplistic phase of the band. Strangely, there were very few connections to their death rock and gothic milestones of the past, but there was a newfound aggressiveness as portrayed by sharp, metallic heavy guitar riffs and really prominent militaristic beats. "This is Heresy" is perhaps the tune that many people know Christian Death from, since it was relatively successful for them. After over a half of a decade of lush, majestic, flowing gothic compositions, "SADAJC" was Valor's venomous call to arms - an absolute attention-grabber of hateful proportions. Taking aim at organized religion (actually, as Valor always has), this record just seemed to emanate pure misanthropy. In addition to "... Heresy", other standout tracks are "Wretched Mankind", "Erection", and perhaps most importantly, "Incendiary Lover". Looking at that aforementioned list of tracks shows that this CD really has value, but it just doesn't stand out as a classic next to "Atrocities" or "The Scriptures". Sadly, this completely under-produced affair was the last of Valor's studio recordings with Gitane - reportedly since she was so unhappy with the band's new direction as shown on this exact record. This metallic-edged simplistic style, however, continued through "All The Love", "All The Hate", and some portions of "Sexy Death God". "SADAJC" is not really comprehensive as far as an introduction to the world of Christian Death, and it is far from being my favorite release by them. It is not a good first release to buy as a beginner's guide to this wonderful outfit. Nonetheless, for Valor's true fans, it is a document as to where Christian Death was at that moment in time, and for that it's vital to me."