Always liked them but how’d they get away with 3 studio albums and no real call for new material?
- Have some kind of dictator complex which requires you be in control of every aspect of the band.
- Feud with every band member who takes umbrage to point 1.
- Feud with record company who dislike the results emanating from points 1 and 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuezNswtRfo
Still Floodland was a great album.
A huge part of their live set is new material, just don’t hold your breath for a studio recording. Although Eldritch did say he’d make an album if Trump got in. I doubt he was expecting his bluff to be called!
And most of their new/unreleased material is pretty good too. Apparently Eldritch’s starting position for even entering a studio is One Million Dollars which might be something of s stumbling block in today’s music marketplace.
I remember when I was just getting into alternative music in the early 90s they were still a massive band, with a top three single and Wembley Arena dates and the like. They seemed to be considered unfashionable/a spent force even back then but, subsequent recorded releases aside, they are still quite the draw all over Europe.
The Quietus have done a couple of good Sisters Of Mercy pieces recently…
Interview with the band before their recent tour:
Article on their early years:
By the early 90s they were a spent force, their top three hit being Temple of Love in 1992 which was a rehashed version of a popular song released in 1983. Saying that the inclusion of Ofra Haza in that version recorded specifically for a greatest hits collection is one of the few occasions a rehashed version improves the original.
First and Last and Always is a fairly decent album with the track Marian played to death in indie clubs during the 1980s often used as bait to lure the goths in their various shades of black out of the dark recesses of a club. Floodland was by far their best though they (Or rather Eldritch) lost kudos when it became known that Patricia Morrison (A more than capable musician in her own right) had not played a note on the album and had been used as mere decoration in videos and performances. Vision Thing was where they lost me and by 1990 seemed out of place with what was going on both here and in the US. The lack of any material since has always suggested that Eldritch ran out of ideas.
A major band for me and my mates during sixth form in 85/86, saw them headline Reading in 90 or 91 but didn’t love Floodland as much as First and Last and the EPs and gave up after that. I didn’t know any of the stuff in that before Alice article, fascinating stuff. Thought about going to see them on the recent tour but saw some footage and decided I’d only do that if the classic line up got back together. Not feeling the Eldritch and two blokes rocking out scenario. Jesus loves the Sisters.
I bought the original Temple of Love 12" in about 1985 and really liked them and the first album. By the time of Floodland they already were a comic book Goth band. That said time has been kind to Floodland and Vision Thing is nowadays a pretty decent listen too. Strange. I agree the main First & Last & Always line-up would be of interest to see live but it’ll never happen. Also The Sisterhood album, often skirted over is well worth a listen and Eldritch baiting The Mission with the “2-5-0-0-0” opening line (a reference to how much they got paid for getting a record out first is fine dark humour.
UK tour* announced!
*ie they are playing London. Twice.
Hey now hey now now
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