Christian Death - Deathwish

Released in 1984 by L'Invitation au Suicide, Christian Death's "Deathwish" EP is a seminal release compiling 1981 studio sessions from the band's original lineup, including Rozz Williams and Rikk Agnew. It merges early punk energy with dark gothic elements, serving as a foundational recording for the deathrock genre just before their debut album.

The EP features six tracks, including the title song, "Dogs," and "Desperate Hell," showcasing a raw, atmospheric sound that defines their early style. It also contains early takes of future classics like "Romeo's Distress" and "Spiritual Cramp," marking it as a significant, heavily-regarded artifact in California's post-punk history.

Christian Death's 1984 EP Deathwish stands as a monumental artifact in the genesis of American deathrock, capturing a band at the absolute peak of their raw, unpolished brilliance. Though released two years after their definitive debut album, Only Theatre of Pain, the material here actually predates it, pulling back the curtain on six seminal tracks recorded during high-energy studio demos in 1981. Fronted by the enigmatic Rozz Williams and fueled by the visionary guitar work of Rikk Agnew, this release offers an essential, unfiltered look at a group actively defining a new, darker subgenre of punk.

The title track, "Deathwish," immediately sets a grim and uncompromising tone, driven forward by a relentless, doom-laden bassline courtesy of James McGearty and George Belanger’s steady percussion. Rikk Agnew’s guitar weeping and slicing through the mix creates a claustrophobic wall of sound that perfectly complements Rozz Williams’ theatrical, mournful vocal delivery. Rather than relying heavily on studio polish, the track thrives on its bleeding distortion and subterranean atmosphere, making it a masterclass in how to convey existential dread through post-punk instrumentation.

The rest of the EP acts as a captivating alternate history for fans of the band's early era. In addition to the eerie synth atmospheres of "Dogs" and the harrowing, desperate wails found on "Desperate Hell," the record features embryonic, feral versions of tracks that would later become gothic club staples, such as "Romeo's Distress" and "Spiritual Cramp." Hearing these songs stripped down to their bare, chaotic roots reveals a fierce, almost reckless punk rock energy that was somewhat tamed by the time they re-recorded them for their formal full-length debut.

Decades after its initial French release on L'Invitation au Suicide, Deathwish remains a crucial listen for anyone seeking to understand the roots of alternative dark music. It bridges the gap between the aggressive snarl of southern California hardcore punk and the artistic, avant-garde theatricality of British post-punk. For both casual listeners and die-hard historians of the gothic subculture, this brief but potent collection serves as a haunting reminder of the original lineup's fleeting, lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry.

Ripped to MP3

1. "Deathwish"

2. "Romeo's Distress" (Nouvelle Version / 1981 Demo)

3. "Dogs"

4. "Desperate Hell"

5. "Spiritual Cramp" (Nouvelle Version / 1981 Demo)

6. "Cavity" (Nouvelle Version / 1981 Demo)