Artist: Type O Negative
Label: Roadrunner Records
Release Date: 1993
Rating: 3 Skulls
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Title: Bloody Kisses Artist: Type O Negative Label: Roadrunner Records Release Date: 1993
Rating: 3 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Solomon:
Rising out of the ashes of Carnivore's thrash-core was New York's Type O Negative, releasing two records on the then-still-underground savvy Roadrunner label before hitting it big (sort of) with Bloody Kisses. This was the band's first gold record (which has since gone platinum in the States, believe it or not) and was one of Roadrunner's first solid commercial success stories, paving the way for greater or lesser things, depending on whether you're into matching prison jumpsuits or anything from Canada at all. That a Brooklyn quartet with black hair could pull off such a stunt in 1993 must have come as a surprise to many, since metal was basically terminated and Seattle held sway over how things were supposed to be done. That and the lyrical fare to "Christian Woman" had to spell doom for the band, but even that naughty tune was a minor radio hit. Certainly Peter Steele's sensual, sub-sonic vocal range made all the little goth girls wet, and his domineering physical presence and all-around bad attitude towards life have become cornerstones of the band's appeal.Just as a point of reference, I see a strong parallel between TON and Cradle of Filth. Both may seem deadly serious on one hand, but there's a lot of silliness mixed in, as well. Oh, yeah, and lesbians. Actually, Type O don't take themselves too seriously at all on Kisses, using more kitsch than anything a "serious" artist would admit to. The gothic, ominous appeal of "Christian Woman" is balanced with a bouncing guitar riff and comical lyric that states "Jesus Christ looks like me," and "Black No. 1" is more Addams Family than Aleister Crowley. I can see why these two tracks were the biggest "singles" off the record, one a blasphemous indulgence unheard of on radio and the other a catchy Halloween gingle. These are my fave picks, too, although the cover of Seals and Croft's "Summer Breeze" is convincingly given the good 'ol Type O treatment, "Bloody Kisses (A Death in the Family)" is haunting (as it is LONG), and "Blood and Fire" gives everything a little kick in the ass. "We Hate Everyone" starts out silly but picks up a cool, driving riff about half-way through. Of course, there are the obligatory ridiculous noise breaks like "Machine Screw" and "Fay Wray Come Out And Play" that are fun for what they're worth.
Overall, I prefer the darker, lusher textures of October Rust to the bold goofiness on Bloody Kisses, but this one contains some of the band's biggest tunes and is important just for the fact something this tongue-in-cheek actually sold as much as it did. That and Type O have certainly gone on to open a few doors for 90's gothic/atmospheric metal, directly or indirectly, making the world a bit safer for bands like The Gathering, Katatonia, Lacuna Coil and Entwine to operate in. Oh, yeah, and that cover....
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