Only Theatre of Pain

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
Christian Death chronology
Deathwish EP (1981) Only Theatre Of Pain (1982) Catastrophe Ballet (1984)

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Only Theatre of Pain was the debut studio album of American deathrock band Christian Death, originally released by Frontier Records in 1982. The album is considered the harbinger of deathrock.^{[citation needed]}

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 vocalist Rozz Williams' rebellion to his religious upbringing as well his own personal attacks against organized religion.^{[citation needed]}

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. James McGearty paid for the studio.

Track listing

1. "Cavity - First Communion" (Rozz Williams, Rikk Agnew) 4:06
2. "Figurative Theatre" (Williams) 2:41
3. "Burnt Offerings" (Williams, Agnew) 3:43
4. "Mysterium Iniquitatis" (Williams, Agnew) 2:46
5. "Dream for Mother" (Williams, Agnew, James McGearty) 3:21
6. "Stairs - Uncertain Journey" (Williams, McGearty) 3:06
7. "Spiritual Cramp" (Williams) 2:55
8. "Romeo's Distress" (Williams, Agnew) 3:15
9. "Resurrection - Sixth Communion" (Williams, Agnew) 3:45
10. "Prayer" (Williams, Agnew) 2:41

CD version only

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

Personnel

• Rozz Williams - vocals
• James McGearty - bass
• Rikk Agnew - guitar, keyboards
• George Belanger - drums
• Eva O - backing vocals
• Ron Athey - backing vocals, sound effects ("Prayer")