Christian Death

The closest thing yet to a decent Christian Death compilation, Death Club 1981-1993 wisely pretends that the latter-day continuation of the band (featuring Valor Kand as frontman instead of the inimitable Rozz Williams) doesn't exist. As it should, the song selection leans heavily on the early material, especially the career high points Only Theatre of Pain and Ashes, respectively the original lineup's sole full-length and the best offering by the reconstituted second version of the band with Kand subbing for the great Rikk Agnew. The latter third of the album, recorded when Williams reasserted control over the Christian Death name and recorded in the years prior to his inevitable 1997 OD, is painfully unlistenable, and not just because Williams' voice is shot: the ever-worsening junkie on display in these later songs is as effective as any anti-drug PSA ever made. The accompanying DVD, recorded in 1990 at a club gig at which the temporarily reunited original lineup plays the entirety of Only Theatre of Pain and a few other tunes, is a stark depiction of the beginning of that sad decline. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide