Overview

Christian Death is an American deathrock band formed in Los Angeles County, California, in 1979 by Rozz Williams. Williams was eventually joined by guitarist Rikk Agnew of the band Adolescents, with James McGearty on bass guitar and George Belanger on drums. This lineup was responsible for producing the band's best-known work, their 1982 debut album Only Theatre of Pain, which was highly influential in the development of the style of music known as death rock as well as the American gothic scene. During this time legendary L.A. punk rock photographer Edward Colver befriended the band and shot Christian Death at a dozen of the band's concerts in the Los Angeles area during a six-month period in 1981 and 1982, as well as photographing Rozz at his family home with the band which was later used for the back cover of Only Theatre of Pain, and a session of iconic images at a cemetery in Pomona. Cult Epics founder and friend of Rozz Williams, Nico B edited an oversized (12x12"") hardcover book of Ed's photos capturing those rare and never-before-seen moments, as well as the story of early Christian Death as told by Edward Colver, surviving band members and others through new, exclusive interviews.

Full Product Details

9780999862780

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Reviews

""Artist that have been inspired by Christian Death include Danzig, Craddle of Filth, Paradise Lost, Korn, Type O negative, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Jane's Addiction."" --Wikipedia ""Gothic album to out-gothic all others"" --Melody Maker ""While pretty much everyone who buys this book will be well acquainted with the band's history the interviews with Victoria Gray, Ron Athey and especially John Albert, Jill Emery and Steve Darrow are essential additions to the band's legend."" -- Punkglobe.com ""Only Theatre of Pain's influence should not be underestimated"" --Record Collector ""This is more than just a coffee table book or a prized collector's item; this is an immersing world-building work of art that will deepen fans' devotion to one of the most provocative frontmen and bands ever to walk the face of Earth...essential piece of deathrock history available for fans to enjoy."" --Post-punk.com

Author Information

Edward Colver is an American photographer, best known for his early punk rock photographs. Colver not only created a visual document of the birth of the hardcore punk in suburban Southern California from late 1978 to mid-1984, but also he greatly helped in defining the photography style and graphic identity of the American hardcore punk movement. He was in the right place at the right time, his early work is an authentic self-portrait of the Southern California hardcore punk scene in its golden years. Nico B is the founder of Cult Epics (since 1991), and close friend of Rozz until the day he died. He had met Rozz while living with Gitane Demone in Amsterdam after she left Christian Death. A few years later they toured with Rozz worldwide and produced the record Dream Home Heartache. When he moved to the U.S. in 1998, he directed the underground cult film PIG with him, which was Rozz his last finalized project. He also produced and published the book The Art of Rozz Williams: From Christian Death to Death. Rozz Williams: Romeo's Distress documentary film by Nico B in theaters 2026.

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