Excellent album, but not for the casual rock/goth listener
Josh | Boston, NY USA | 09/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 36 minute 7-track album (or should I say EP) was Valor's first effort without Rozz Williams. Following the experimental direction taken with some of the material on Ashes, this album goes one step further."Believers of the Unpure" as well as the title track will appeal to mainstream goth fans. Fans of the band Mephisto Walz will also be pleased with the familiar guitar sound of the title track, which was co-written by central Mephisto Walz member B. Galvin. "Lake of Fire" may also hold some appeal for those into more normal goth rock, although it is a bit more experimental than the other two.The remaining four tracks on the disc, however, will appeal more to fans of experimental electronic music than fans of goth/death rock. They are artistically done and are wonderful atmospheric pieces, with processed instruments and samples (which are quite well done for an album recorded before the processing power of 90s computers). Those who are interested in artists like John Cage and Steve Reich, or those with an open mind, may find more here to like than those looking for more standard rock music.As a side note, the artwork on this album is among the most artistic and well done of the whole Christian Death catalogue, if you're interested in these things. The paintings nicely complement the music.In short, if you like goth rock, you'll find a few great tracks here, but the singles compilation "Jesus Points The Bone At You" might be a better selection. On the other hand, if you have an open mind and are interested in artistic music and processed instruments or are into ambient, dark noise pieces, you'll find plenty to like here."
The Sin & Sacrifice of Xtian Death's 1st, good Death Rock
jbwestnorman | Norman, Oklahoma | 03/12/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Following the departure of the magnificant Rozz Williams, Valor, Gitane DeMone and David Glass were allegedly going to continue under the moniker Sin & Sacrifice but relesed " the Wind Kissed Pictures " under the moniker of the lengthy name in my article's title before just going under Christian Death. I call the band S&SOCD cause without Rozz it's not the same band, no matter how good the record is. And the album really is good. The title track and " Believers of the Unpure " are two of the finest Death Rock anthems ever written. Valor does a nice job of copying
Rozz's vocal style ( and I mean he REALLY wants to be Rozz Williams ) but his vox are a little on the weak side. but the mucianshp is strong and Gitane's VERY STRONG vocals make up for what Valor lacks ( although she is so underused here it's a crime). I often imagine how much better it would have ben if Valor Kand had simply put his ego in check and let Gitane be the sole vocalist after Rozz's leaving. Anyway back to the positives. The instrumental experimetal electronic tracks are very well done and enjoyable ( although they may be too tedious for the mainstream listener ). All in all a good relase. " Atroties ', " Scriptures ", and the live " Tales of Innocence "( also includes tracks with Rozz ) are the only other albums featuring the DeMone/Glass/Valor line-up, and are recommended; but after that , unless it says " featuring Rozz Williams " avoid at all costs. And ,of course, ANYTHING with Rozz Williams is recomended above anything here. Just my opinion."