Christian Death

A "Concise Biography"
Of an otherwise very long and continuing story

Plagued by riots, protests, death threats, arrests, album burnings on US Christian TV, a nationwide investigation by German church officials, censorship, infighting, attempted suicides and actual suicide, some may say Christian Death has a black cloud floating above, yet in spite of all odds, they still persevere.
........Originally formed in Los Angeles by vocalist, lyricist "Rozz Williams", however, after achieving local recognition in Los Angeles and a local album release "Only Theatre of Pain", due to unrest within the group, he disbanded it. A year later, he joined Pompeii 99 formed by band leader, lead vocalist and guitarist "Valor".
Pompeii 99 was another L.A. band enjoying local success which was in negotiations with European labels and promoters to bring Pompeii 99 to Europe. French label "L'invitation Au Suicide" suggested that as Rozz was new in the band, he preferred them to reuse the name Christian Death. Rozz did not like the idea as he wanted a fresh start from what he considered bad memories, Valor was reluctant to give up the work put into Pompeii 99. However, they both considered the alternatives and along with the promise to record and tour in Europe, they accepted, Thus began a new incarnation of Christian Death.
The first internationally released album "Catastrophe Ballet" was recorded in the UK, then began the first European tour. Returning to L.A., work began on the next album "Ashes" as well as the release of live tapes. Plans for a follow-up European tour were underway when just weeks before the tour, once again, Rozz announced he needed a change due to his emotional issues, he wanted to disband, this time, however, the band was now an equal partnership under multiple agreements. After 3 years of hard-earned success, Valor and the other band members pleaded for him, not to give up. Despite these pleas, Rozz threw in the towel.With no intention of canceling the tour, Valor moved to lead vocal, the bass player became the guitar player, the guitar roadie became the bass player, so off they went to Europe without him.
With Valor now as frontman, the band relocated to London. From there, through a relentless campaign of single and album releases, several of which were top 10 indie hits enjoying exposure on the BBC, MTV and other European radio and television stations, meanwhile using the UK as a base to constantly tour Europe, here began the rise to international iconic status. By the early 90s, everyone with their finger on the pulse of innovation in rock music had heard of Christian Death.
News of this success had filtered back to the USA which encouraged people with influence, to incite Rozz, years after splitting the band, to illegitimately do some shows and recordings under the name which resulted in a legal dispute. Rozz was, however, unable to substantiate any claims of ownership as he had previously relinquished those rights years before, on the other hand, out of respect, Valor agreed to allow Rozz to continue to sell the few recordings made and misrepresented as Christian Death on the condition that no further records were made as such. Rozz moved on to other art and spoken word projects.
Enter "Maitri", female vocalist and bass player, the second most continuous member of Christian Death. Maitri originally from Holland, after attending music college, moved to London where she first met the band. Her first official debut as a permanent member was on the album "Sexy Death God". She has been a key figure in the band ever since.
Sadly on 4/1/1998, with a history of alcohol and drug abuse and attempted suicides (since the first tour), rozz hung himself.
With a propensity for innovation and sometimes outrageous art, concepts, and lyrics, the band has become an inspiration to a huge swath of bands and artists, including seemingly incompatible bands, most notably, Korn, Type O Negative and Cradle of Filth (as publicly stated). Christian Death has continued to tour 5 of the seven continents and released a staggering 17 studio albums and 2 live albums worth of music, unofficial and bootlegs not included, (discography attached). The band continues the tradition in 2017 while promoting the current album The Root Of All Evilutionan while also with a new album in the works and an upcoming US tour with Lords of Acid and Combichrist.

The founding fathers of American goth rock, Christian Death took a relentlessly confrontational stand
against organized religion and conventional morality, with an appetite for provocation that made
Marilyn Manson look like Stryper. Regardless of who was leading or performing in the group,
Christian Death set themselves up to shock, both in their cover art and their lyrics, which wallowed in
blasphemy, morbidity, drug use, and sexual perversity. Their self-consciously controversial tactics set
them apart from the British goth scene, having more to do with L.A. punk and heavy metal, and thus
the band dubbed its sound "death rock" instead; however, their sensibility was ultimately similar
enough that the "goth" designation stuck in the end. - Steve Huey Rolling Stone

One of the top ten Goth bands of all time - Rolling Stone




Official CHRISTIAN DEATH discography
The studio albums:
Only Theatre of Pain
Catastrophe ballet
Ashes
The Wind Kissed Pictures
Atrocities
The Scriptures
Sex and Drugs and Jesus Christ
All the Love All the Hate, part 1 All the Love
All the Love All the Hate, part 2 All the Hate
Insanus Ultio Proditio Misericordiaque
Jesus Points the Bone at You
Prophecies
Sexy Death God
Pornographic Messiah
Born Again anti Christian
American Inquisition
The Root of All Evilution
The live albums:
The Heretics Alive
Amen
Decomposition of Violets ( original tape and CD only)