The Rise And Fall Of Christian Death 

I would say there is a difference between an “ Edgelord” and an Artist who is genuinely interested in the subjects that Rozz was into . An Edgelord is somebody who just does things for attention in what has already been explored . Having met the man I can honestly tell you he was the real deal - he didn’t have to try he simply just was .

The downfall of Christian Death was Rozz' passing

I met Rikk Agnew in LA at a signing event 1 year ago. He was the kindest person ever. Truly appreciates anyone who is a fan of his work. Rozz’s brother was there and he brought the ashes of Rozz Williams himself to the event. Turns out his ashes are not actually at the hollywood forever cemetery.

I've never really viewed this music as Satanic. I've thought it as very investigative, introspective and deeply spiritual. If viewed from an esoteric perspective, a lot of it sounds like levels of initiation or spiritual metaphors. To me anyways. Yup, I'm "a Christian" if there must be a category. Great documentary ❤

The one thing that I have to say about early Christian Death and Only Theatre of Pain is that it's more of a dark romantic surrealist peice of work rather than something intended to be specifically offensive or blasphemous. Rozz was very much interested in the surrealist and Dada art movements which had a lot of influence on the album. A lot of the lyrics are more of a product of stream of conscious thought rather than having a precise overall message. It's a great album and piece of art! Also, I get why people trash talk Valor, but I think both camps have good things to offer between Rozz and Valor. I met Valor once and he was a pretty nice guy from the brief interaction. Thanks for putting this documentary together. It's a great band that deserves attention.

I was the bassist in Christian Death in 1984 when they toured Catastrophe Ballet in Europe. I was in Sex Gang Children, and left to join Christian Death. Now you say Rozz did not give the name to Valor Kand. I never liked Valor but I was there at a cafe in Amsterdam, June 1984, when Rozz sold the band name to Valor Kand on a piece of paper for $500. David Glass was there, Valor, me (Dave Roberts)...Gitane was not. I begged Rozz not to do it. But he needed whatever he needed and the rest is history. Now, that is what happened and you can argue the legality of it forever, but it was done. Otherwise a good video.

Romeo's distress was always blaring in my earbuds in highschool and I only have my best friend to blame for that

The rhythm section on OTOP is phenomenal and severely underrated. So many subtly nuanced moments.

"I don't think anybody with any self-respect would admit to being Goth" - Rozz Willams

Interesting piece, especially Romeo's Distress. Let me explain. I am a black musician who played guitar and bass in a number of Post-Punk/"Gothic" bands (I hate the dumbed-down 4 letter word "Goth"). I formed my 1st "Gothic" band, Garten Kirkhof, in the 80's. I met my vocalist through an ad looking for musicians influenced by the likes of Bauhaus, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Cocteau Twins, Tones On Tail, and of course Christian Death, among others like David Bowie, Roxy Music, Iggy Pop...you get the picture. My vocalist's favorite band at the time was Christian Death, so we had some things in common (not that Christian Death was my favorite band, but they were up there). I got into Christian Death at the time that Only Theatre Of Pain came out, and, though I loved the song Romeo's Distress, I always had a problem with the obvious use of the 'N' word, but I got a feeling of what the song was really saying. Having said that, for years it left me uneasy, in the same way that Patti Smith's use of it did. But after some years I learned to embrace the song to the point that I would purposely request it of dj's at, here's that word again, "Goth" clubs...just to see the reaction of the crowd when I would dance wildly to it, at times forming my middle fingers into an upside down cross. I'm no fool, I know from experience that there are racists in this sub-culture, and part of me was flipping them off.

Valor was an absolute twat for stealing the band name and there's no two ways about it. He'd probably be far more respected if he hadn't have done it.

Thanks for the video. As much as I love Only Theatre Of Pain, the songs I keep going back to are on Catastrophe Ballet. The Drowning, The Blue Hour, Electra Descending are what comes to mind with Rozz for me. 'I've come to lie beside you, I've come to know the dark for light'.

Celtic Frost also cited Christian Death as a massive influence. Look no further than Mesmerized, Tristesses De La Lune, Sorrows of the Moon, Drown in Ashes and Obscured.

Saw Christian Death in 1983. Brilliant show. I noticed in this video he didn't mention that if you played the record backwards at the very end you can hear the lords prayer.

Great video! But, the Satanism in Christian Death wasn't ironic. Rozz was serious (and not in the LaVeyan way). This is solely due to Eva O's influence as they were really close (and were married at one time). They even used to call her "Evil O" back in the day. In an interview she told a story about the time she fell in love with Richard Ramirez and even began writing him and visiting him in jail. Eva said that she had fallen in love with death and loved Ramirez because he was the cause of it. Yikes. Eva O is a great musician but, boy, did she ever out 'edge lord' Rozz. Near the end of his life, Rozz spoke in an interview that he began to feel like he had gotten stuck in the very thing he was fighting to escape. I believe he wasn't just talking about religion but also the "Rozz Williams" persona he created. When Eva O became a Christian, Rozz even started going to church with her. The photos of him in the last years of his life show him without makeup and dresses. He grew a beard and wore dapper clothing that were somewhat 1950s reminiscent. I can tell that he was struggling to overcome a lot of things that hounded him. :(

As a fan of the band since the 80s, I've got to say that though I enjoyed watching this, the investigation into their history was lazy. It got a few obvious things wrong, and lacked any real knowledge of the band. And Edgelord..? Really?

Good to see people still discovering this band and giving it its attention. Been a huge fan for years and still listen to the classic records and the recent ones, love it!

BURNING CROSSES ON A NEIGHBORS LAWN

only theater of pain is an incredible album.

Deathwish was my most played song in 2020

I was listening to CD all day during the 90s, as a teenager. Catastrophe ballet was my fav album by far- Those were the days🖤

i love "Only Theatre Of Pain" and in a lot of ways "Catastrophe Ballet" is often my favorite, i also love the too short "Ashes". but that "Deathwish" EP is everything to me, it has "Dogs" from the comp which is so good, and the song Deathwish is what got me into them in the first place. but "Desperate Hell" is everything to me, it is like an actual piece of me.

Bashing Catastrophe Ballet and Ashes, going so far as to call them part of the "fall," is just peak purism. Yawn. (And I don't even listen to Valor-era CD, but those two albums are still very much classics, and the lyrics at least are still very much Rozz). Will check out some of your other videos anyhow cause they look interesting and I like your production style, but I can't get behind the opinions in this one.

The whole Rozz vs Valor was never a thing in the 1980s. Me and my friends loved Only Theater of Pain, Ashes, Past Present and Forever and the bleak and beautiful Atrocities album. We loved Rozzs and Valors Christian Death. Gitane Demone was a goth icon and I think it was natural for the band to change sounds with each album. Each album with its own outlook and its own persona. But Christian Death sold old to rock/metal by the late 1980s and we lost interst with the band by then. The Shadow Project were great, especially the 1st album.

probably one of my favorite bands! i understood the point of romeo's distress using that word, but it's still oof. i always sing it as "neighbour's" lmao

Nice, but I think you're a bit too judgmental, especially when it comes to classics like Ashes.

Phase 1: ... There was a rise? Phase 2: Is this a joke? Who is this band? Phase 3: Oh, it appears *I AM* the asshole.

You're really off with the reason for some of Rozz' lyrics, but even though he's gone, it's not my place to disclose. Respect. RIP Rozz 1334

Before Marilyn Manson there was...

The video was great! Can you make a video on Joy Division or the Velvet Underground?

Rozz was such a amazing vocalist but for the love of God is was he edgy af

I was not expecting a band like this to be covered by your channel so this was an awesome surprise. I can't act like I was ever a huge Christian Death fan, I like a few of their songs but ultimately there were other Deathrock bands like Blood Dead and Sexy, 45 Grave, and Cinema Strange that I preferred slightly more. But I have mad appreciation and likeness for what they did for the genre with "Only Theatre of Pain" and as gender nonconforming man, Rozz Williams was/is an inspiration to me as he owned his sense of self which was awesome to see. But yeah, "Romeo's Distress" is just iconic and while I was initially taken aback by the lyrics when I first heard it, when I read up the intent behind the song and how it was mocking Southern Baptist hypocrisy, it helped me understand the POV to where I wasn't bothered by the song. That said, it's not surprising how it has stood the test of time as a Deathrock defining favorite, the instrumentation was wild in the best way. Anyway as edgy as Rozz was, he was one of a kind no question and his image lives on within the scene 😊

"Oh Cult"????? TF?

Was really looking forward to this one, fantastic video!!! Christian death has been an all time favourite for a while now so this was really nice to watch :)

My sister got me into Christian death when I was about 12 (1992) I got to see the band play a few times. One of my favorite groups. I really miss em.

This was really interesting!! I listen to Christian Death quite regularly and have a book on Rozz Williams laying around somewhere but I never really had a good chance to actually look into the band but this video has really struck my interest!

We love and miss you, Rozz! 11/06/1963 - 04/01/1998 Good choices on best songs. Spiritual Cramp is easily the best.

An edgelord is a pretentious poseur on the Internet who tries to impress or shock by posting edgy opinions such as nihilism or extremist views. The term is a blend of "edgy" and "shitlord" - a person who "basks in the bitterness and misery of others". You should try and find a more accurate word to describe an artist like Rozz than Edgelord. I don’t think it’s a very accurate description. Sure, he was edgy as hell but not an edgelord.

Only theater of Pain was to christian death what disintegration was to the Cure❤️💕

My favorite song by Christian Death is "Spiritual Cramp". I can't which compilation it was I found once upon a time ago, but ti had a different version than what was on the record. I wish I still had that CD. Lots of great unknowns and up-comers. As for the changing sound, I liked them up until around 98 or 99. I liked the song "Mirage" featured on Cleopatra's compilation set The Black Bible. Found some great bands and artists through it as well.

I listen to goodbye in its entirety and never teared up so hard before, for it is just so beautiful yet somber knowing the context behind the finale song

Never in my life would I have imagined you making a Christian Death video. Makes me happy

No mention of James McGearty or George Belanger from Only Theatre of Pain...Shame, like to know what they are up to and what they thought of the original material.

"Oops, my anarchy symbol" "Burning crosses on a D E M O N E T I Z E D lawn" Say the word Madison...Say the word.

Thank you for making this!! It’s been a fun watch. Looking forward to you exceeding Rozz’s age eventually and revisiting the subject matter in a while.

the good old oh-cult

We used to watch them back in the early 80’s. One of their best shows was at The Alexandria Hotel in 83. They opened for Specimen if I remember correctly.

My Death rock Cousins. I grew up in the 1990s Goth scene, Alternative, Waxtrax artist, Coldwave, Industrial Darkwave synthpop, and future pop.

I'd say this is a completely moronic take on Christian Death overall. CD certainly weren't the first of their kind, or anywhere near the most influential, but they made several uniquely weird and inspired, witty, sardonic, frequently beautiful records that aren't especially like anyone else's records, before or after. It's not really much like Joy Division, no more Bowie-esque than many other groups of this era. It's definitely not "satanic", unless you meant in the Romantic, Byronic sense of the word. Catastrophe and Ashes are both strange beautiful melodic mysterious statements, not as heavy or demonstrative as Only Theater, but just as charming, each in their own way.

Wow.... Is Christian Death really at a point where video essays are being made about them? I must admit my inner elitist is not happy about this.

In addition to the albums you covered, there were also 3 other Rozz Christian Death albums in a lineup with Eva O, who also sang on Only Theatre of Pain. The Iron Mask, Path of Sorrows and Rage of Angels are definitely worth checking out and were done during the late 80s early 90s Shadow Project era. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CxRrqkSfuFo.html

6:05 What synth? In the snippet of Desperate Hell, all I'm hearing is the singing, the guitar, the prominent bass and the drums. 11:35 "Pallitations"?

Remember Alice Cooper.

It's weird running into this video, especially not being subbed (I am now) because topic wise Christian Death isn't something that comes up. I literally could ask everyone outside of those I grew up with and they'd say "who?" That's not entirely why it's weird. I mean, I woke up today I guess feeling a little nostalgic and listened to my own Christian Death mix featuring of course Romeo's Distress, When I was Bed, Tales of Innocence (a song that went unmentioned) and a single song off of Shadow Project called Lord of the Flies. There's some other stuff too, Skinny Puppy, Sisters of Mercy (their song Fix), Bauhaus and Cranes. Anyway. This was really fun to watch. Valor's singing is 🤮 even though I kinda dig Sick of Love and The Loving Face.

this video is awesome, only theater of pain was on of those albums that blew my mind in the day. I remember hearing when rozz died in 98.

I was lucky enough to see them . When they got back together and played in 1994 and recorded the live video. Such a great show and time. The saw Shadow Project !! Rozz Is the king of Goth

Why are you pronouncing it like that? Oh-cult?

Why u say it like O Cult.

Sad and useless music 🎶

I don’t understand the way you talk about Catastrophe Ballet. It sounds not very positive and is a shame . It’s a biased video you made.

Subscribed just for the Yu Yu Hakisho shout out 😂😂 my favorite anime of all time

how do you spell Cancer? V-a-l-o-r

6:18 isnt a synth tho

I tripped sooooooo many times to this album !!!!🤤🤤🤤

Great video, but I think you could have given a more in-depth analysis of the music in OTOP, talking of how Rikk's guitar lines shift from dramatically melodic to absolutely abrasive, how the funky bass lines contribute to the twisted mocking tone of the songs, and the sense of impending doom given by the monotonous, tribalistic drum beats.

To me Rozz was a genius. I think some of his best work is the spoken word tracks. Flowers for instance is Rozz showing how tortured he really was. R.I.P. Rozz

Grew up listening to Rozz and was 20 on 4-1-98. Wondered a long time why he did it but once I listened to "Flowers" a song he did with Gitane, I can understand the struggle he was going through on top of everything else. My guess, is that chasing the demons away with addiction left it as the biggest of them all. And he just wanted it to stop. One note on the chronology. Decomposition of Violets was in '85 and had most of Catastrophe's songs ('88). Between the two was Iron Mask in '86 which had some of the songs shared with future albums as well such as Skeleton Kiss and Ashes. The renditions of songs on Ashes done prior more resonate with the OTOP sound that you keep referring to.

Only Theatre of Pain is not "One" of the most important piece of the death rock genre it is the "bible" of the death rock genre! Very happy to have been lucky enough to watch Rozz perform with his band in France in the mid nineties in the Noumatrouf in Mulhouse a city 1 hour away from were i live.. I witnessed what greatness is all about at that time..

CD Is still alive and well with Valor. I love Rozz and Valor's versions

0:36 O cult ? Is that how you kids are saying it these days?

What is the "O cult"?

"The Luxury of Tears" is the strongest work from Rozz+Valor.

"When I Was Bed" has such a nice riff.

This video is completely inaccurate. Led Zeppelin, David Bowe, etc etc etc etc. They were all into the occult. It is very common in the music industry, and the arts in general.

As I was a teenager during what I would consider the high points of these times, it makes me smile to see you give ode to CD. You should do a bit on Shadow Projekt if you like CD. I love all of Rozz Williams work. I just got finished watching your Dir En Grey video. Thanks for that one too, I was a goth chick way before it was cool or trendy. I was made fun of in high school for wearing corsets and fishnet to school and to see it given tribute is an amazing piece of history for me. 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 ty!

Christian Death are just two bands with the same name, at least from today's perspective. Anyways, there is not even a doubt about the majesty of the first and original. I've met Valor when they came to Chile a few years ago and he was a decent guy and his music lacks the genious of Rozz+Rikk, some of his material is pretty good. I'm charmed with your style and approach. Regards from Chile, I'll try to spread your videos within my circles, iot's really good.

I remember seeing his last performance before he left this world

Catastrophe Ballet is the greatest Christian Death album ever made. Fight me.

The best part of CB and Ashes is Gitane. She is an icon.

Its legit wild to see a deep dive on Rozz's work. Good work.

shout out to my deathrock gf in hs for opening me up to this stuff

Rozz had a portrait of a 10 year old Jeffrey Dahmer in oil paint on the back of his leather jacket. He was friends with Boyd Rice. C.D. was one of the greatest of the LA Death Rock bands. Personally, the Valor and Eva O version of C.D. stuff is probably the more "goth" band, but no one cares about that stuff.

This video reminds me, I haven't seen a video done on Alien Sex Fiend. I'm not sure if you're familiar with the artist but I thought that would be another great video topic! She's a Killer and Evolution are my favorite tracks!

Come on, the Rozz + Valor/DeMone/Glass line up is the best CD incarnation. Lyrics have plenty of nuances and a surrealism that perfectly matches the music and the production of the two records. The shock value of OTOP has a naivety that lacks in depth. As far as I love the first record there's a big step in maturity with Catastrophe Ballet and Ashes

Why would that cover make you uncomfortable? That's bizarre.

Christian Death was MY Van Halen. Rikk Agnew is, by far, the greatest "painter" ever heard of the 80s era.

Fingertips?? 🤔 OIC what yr tryna say. Luxury of Tears a low point?? Wow you really don't get it.(smh) I suggest you stay in your lane from now on.

You did a great job, I usually stay away from these band review videos, you the Reviewer did a good ok great job, . Me having been there and having a relationship close to the band and information. I disagree with catastrophe ballet of any of the songs sounding like Joy Division, CD was far superior, but definitely not that you said anything bad, it most definitely probably got a few people to get into CD. The other things I disagree with are just those disagreements. I'm positive that Rozz wrote from his heart and no intentions of kind of premedated how it would affect the listener, only artist who do stuff like are not real artist. You forgot one thing about Rozz and that is, He is one of if not the greatest Song writers, poets, artists, performers of are time, I have seen most of rozz's influences, a Live and in studio Rozz Blew them away everything Rozz Did he hit it out the park. Listen Flowers one of Rozz's masterpieces. Great Review once Again. Peace and Respect Darrin Hall

Hello, here again, sorry I guess I'm going through your channel because you're covering stuff that interests me. This time I just wanna thank you for this video because I don't know anything about this band and saw them last year with the new vocalist last year at Prague Gothic Treffen which turned out to be a terrible experience. I actually have no idea who that guy is but he straight up got into an argument with the crowd in the middle of the performance and it caused half of the people to leave. He spouted a lot of conspiracy theories about covid19 and refused to accept anyone having any other opinions. We saw him continuing to argue with people even after the show. What a shame since musically it was quite interesting at the beginning.

Poor tormented blasphemous person, and he didn't make money , no prosperity be gone.....

Wasn't Eva O in some incarnation of Christian Death?

Holy shit dude back then have you heard of Venom Bathory, Celtic frost, Sodom, all those band were in the early 80, and they were way more into the occult and satanism, and in the early 70 there were occult bands like witchfynder general, coven, angel witch Arthur browns song from the late sixties fire.

Rozz didn’t want to identify as a man obviously. I was obsessed with them and did a lot of research and deep dove to find out the artist, Boyd Rice, who rozz would stalk to watch them eat at a restaurant(I believe Boyd ordered Alfredo pasta lol) in san fran even said that was one of the reason rozz killed themselves. Rozz the best to ever do it in goth music… the pioneer of it in America. If you care about my comment you should refer to them as they or she in true respect to rozz.

A lot of words you’ve never heard pronounced out loud. Sounds like you’re reading a wiki about a subject you have zero interest in

Can you NOT bave the giant TV head on the screen half of the time? It really distracts and detracts from your presentation.

I mean sure rozz kind of did push limits for that time I wouldn't call him an edge lord though. the way he articulates his lyrics and the themes were just more thought provoking and taboo. I'd say gg allin was the ultimate edge lord of that time in the scene just doing and saying obscene and offensive shit just for the clout.

Oh man.... you didn't talk about the homoerroticism of sweet Rozz in the first song on Castrophe Ballet.

It would complete my life if you could cover Type O Negative

Can’t forget the “Valium in your pocket”

I met a guy tonite who claimed he played lead guitar and bass with this group and had some interesting stories about them.