Christian Death

Originally released as a home video in 1994, Christian Death's Live was reissued on DVD seven years later. Comprised of a reunion show from 1993 (that featured the original lineup) recorded at Los Angeles' Patriot Hall, the DVD captures the group in fine form. Standouts include stirring renditions of "Figurative Theater," "Dream for Mother," "Sleepwalk," "Cavity -- 1st Communion," and "Romeo's Distress" (among others), while late singer Ross Williams prowls the stage dressed in a '70s-era Saturday Night Fever suit, often embracing and kissing female fans in the front row. Live also includes a 66-screen photo gallery, accompanied by a pair of previously unreleased tracks from Williams' post-Christian Death outfit, Premature Ejaculation. By combining the ethereal quality of goth with elements of early-'70s theatrical groundbreakers (David Bowie, Alice Cooper, etc.), Christian Death helped pave the way for such future acclaimed alt-rockers as Jane's Addiction, and Live is worth the time of any Williams/Christian Death disciple. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide