Bloody Kisses | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 17, 1993 | |||
Recorded | February–March 1993 [1] | |||
Studio | Systems Two, Brooklyn | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 73:28 | |||
Label | Roadrunner | |||
Producer | Peter Steele, Josh Silver | |||
Type O Negative chronology | ||||
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Singles from Bloody Kisses | ||||
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Bloody Kisses is the third studio album by the American gothic metal band Type O Negative and the last recording with their original lineup, as drummer Sal Abruscato left the group in late 1993 to join labelmates Life of Agony. The album includes two of their best known songs, "Christian Woman" and "Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)", both of which earned the band a considerable cult following. The album further established recurring motifs of the band's music, such as including cover songs recorded in their own unique style, sample-heavy soundscape interludes and lyrics replete with dry, satirical humor.
Bloody Kisses is notable for being the first album released on Roadrunner Records to be certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), in November 1995. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA in December 2000. [5]
Considered a classic in the gothic metal genre, [6] Bloody Kisses is "saturated with complex patterns of sound" layered with Peter Steele's trademark baritone vocals and lyrics relating to topics such as sex, religion, image, racism and death. [7]
According to Decibel , Bloody Kisses "featured infectious doom-pop epics ("Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)", "Christian Woman"), sarcastic hardcore screeds ("Kill All the White People", "We Hate Everyone")" and bizarre noise interludes ("Fay Wray Come Out and Play", "Dark Side of the Womb", "3.0.I.F.")". [8]
"Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)" is "a sarcastic ode to goth girls (and their trademark, black hair dye) based on a narcissistic ex-girlfriend of singer/songwriter Peter Steele". [9]
Bloody Kisses includes a cover of the classic Seals & Crofts' track, "Summer Breeze". Type O Negative's original recording of the song included alternate lyrics, written by Peter Steele, and was retitled "Summer Girl". However, original songwriters Seals & Crofts, found Steele's "Summer Girl" lyrics distasteful and the band was forced to re-record the vocals and remix the track with the song's original lyrics and title intact. [10]
When played in its entirety, top to bottom, the album's songs and noise interludes constitute one seamless composition. The band would continue this tradition on the World Coming Down LP released in 1999.
The album features additional vocal performances from close friends of the band, including Mina Caputo, Joey Zampella and Alan Robert of fellow Brooklyn-based alt-metal band Life of Agony, who are credited as "Erasmus High School Boys Special Ed." in the album's liner notes. [11]
Founding member, drummer Sal Abruscato, would leave the band shortly after the album's completion due to Peter Steele's reluctance to commit to touring. Abruscato would join Life of Agony full-time after performing on the band's debut album, River Runs Red , recorded later that same year. River Runs Red was produced and mixed by Type O Negative keyboardist/producer Josh Silver, and was also released on Roadrunner Records in 1993. Both albums became very successful releases for the record label, and Life of Agony, with Abruscato, would open for Type O Negative during the initial Bloody Kisses tour of '93–'94. [12]
The album artwork depicts several locations of Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, photographed by John Wadsworth.
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [6] |
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 7/10 [13] |
Kerrang! | (1993) [14] (2011) [15] |
Pitchfork | 8.7/10 [16] |
Record Collector | [17] |
Rock Hard | 10/10 [18] |
Rolling Stone | [19] |
Terrorizer | 8.5/10 [20] |
Bloody Kisses received mostly positive reviews. Steve Huey of AllMusic gave the album a 4.5 out of 5 and wrote that "though it sounds like a funeral, Bloody Kisses' airy melodicism and '90s-style irony actually breathed new life into the flagging goth metal genre". [6] Rock Hard gave the album a 10 out of 10 rating. [18]
In 2005, Bloody Kisses was ranked number 365 in Rock Hard's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time. [21] Loudwire called Bloody Kisses the best album of 1993, [22] in addition to ranking it at number 42 on its Top 90 Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Albums of the 90s. [23] Rolling Stone placed Bloody Kisses at number 53 on its Top 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time list, citing memorable songs such as "Christian Woman", "Bloody Kisses (A Death in the Family)", their cover version of "Summer Breeze", and "Black No. 1". The latter was cited by the author J. D. Considine as the band's signature song. [24]
All music and lyrics written by Peter Steele unless otherwise noted. [11]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Machine Screw" | 0:41 |
2. | "Christian Woman"
| 8:58
|
3. | "Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)" | 11:15 |
4. | "Fay Wray Come Out and Play" | 1:03 |
5. | "Kill All the White People" | 3:24 |
6. | "Summer Breeze" (Seals & Crofts cover) | 4:49 |
7. | "Set Me on Fire" | 3:29 |
8. | "Dark Side of the Womb" | 0:28 |
9. | "We Hate Everyone" | 6:51 |
10. | "Bloody Kisses (A Death in the Family)" | 10:56 |
11. | "3.0.I.F." | 2:06 |
12. | "Too Late: Frozen" | 7:50 |
13. | "Blood & Fire" | 5:32 |
14. | "Can't Lose You" | 6:06 |
Total length: | 73:28 |
Shortly after the initial release of Bloody Kisses in 1993, Roadrunner Records reissued the album in a tri-fold digipak. This reissue featured an alternate track listing. The new track listing revised the running order and removed all of the soundscape interludes and the two "hardcore" songs ("Kill All The White People" and "We Hate Everyone") and replaced them with a previously unreleased, over eight minute long, slow and very "gothic" sounding track titled, "Suspended In Dusk". The intro track, "Machine Screw" and the first four seconds of the song, "Christian Woman" were also removed on this release, omitting Peter Steele's spoken intro to the track ("Forgive her..."). This slightly edited version of "Christian Woman" is exclusive to this digipak reissue. [25] The digipak re-release and its aforementioned changes, were done specifically at the request of bassist/singer/songwriter, Peter Steele. [26]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Christian Woman" | 8:54 |
2. | "Bloody Kisses (A Death in the Family)" | 10:56 |
3. | "Too Late: Frozen" | 7:51 |
4. | "Blood & Fire" | 5:33 |
5. | "Can't Lose You" | 6:06 |
6. | "Summer Breeze" (Seals & Crofts cover) | 4:49 |
7. | "Set Me on Fire" | 3:30 |
8. | "Suspended in Dusk" | 8:37 |
9. | "Black No.1 (Little Miss Scare-All)" | 11:16 |
Total length: | 1:07:32 |
In an interview for the liner notes of the remastered, "Top Shelf Edition" reissue of Bloody Kisses in 2009, Steele said that although he hated ripping off the public (by releasing two versions of the album), he felt it was his opportunity to fix what he believed was a musical mistake. Guitarist Kenny Hickey, who was not a fan of "Suspended In Dusk", noted that the digipak version of the album was Steele trying to move into the vision of the band fully realized on 1996's "October Rust". [26]
Producer and keyboardist, Josh Silver had stronger feelings on the digipak version of Bloody Kisses, stating, "the digipak sucks". Silver went on to say that part of what makes Type O Negative great is the, "eclectic insanity" - going from songs like 'Black No. 1' to 'Kill All The White People' and that brilliance was a "happy accident". Silver noted that Peter, "didn't have to understand where it came from, he just had to play it. But Peter wanted continuity, so the digipak was released." [26]
"Summer Breeze" was initially recorded by the band as "Summer Girl" with lyrics parodying the original, but "Summer Breeze" songwriters Seals and Croft objected to the lyrical changes and the song was re-recorded with the original lyrics before the album's official release date. [27] "Summer Girl" remains unreleased but it did appear on a pre-release, promotional version of "Bloody Kisses", simply titled, "?". "Summer Girl" has since circulated online. [28]
The digipak version contains alternate artwork and an amended booklet that reflects the re-ordering and changing of the tracks. Another change is found in the album's liner notes which contain the title of and lyrics for "Summer Girl" instead of "Summer Breeze". [25] The parody lyrics of "Summer Girl" are included such as, "Kenny Hickey lying on the sidewalk, Devil music from the house next door". Josh Silver said the misprint was a mistake by Roadrunner Records. [29] The recorded song is unchanged. The standard release of the album was pressed with the original "Summer Breeze" lyrics and title in the liner notes. [11]
On May 5, 2009, Roadrunner Records re-issued a newly remastered version of Bloody Kisses known as Bloody Kisses - The Top Shelf Edition. This reissue included the original album remastered for the first time, along with a bonus CD of rarities and B-sides. The package also included expanded liner notes featuring additional photos and a brand new, exclusive interview with the band on the "making of" and the "legacy of" Bloody Kisses. [26]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Machine Screw" | 0:40 |
2. | "Christian Woman" | 8:58 |
3. | "Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)" | 11:15 |
4. | "Fay Wray Come Out and Play" | 1:03 |
5. | "Kill All the White People" | 3:24 |
6. | "Summer Breeze" (Seals & Crofts cover) | 4:49 |
7. | "Set Me on Fire" | 3:30 |
8. | "Dark Side of the Womb" | 0:28 |
9. | "We Hate Everyone" | 6:52 |
10. | "Bloody Kisses (A Death in the Family)" | 10:56 |
11. | "3.0.I.F." | 2:06 |
12. | "Too Late: Frozen" | 7:51 |
13. | "Blood & Fire" | 5:33 |
14. | "Can't Lose You" | 6:07 |
Total length: | 1:13:32 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Suspended In Dusk" | 8:40 |
2. | "Black Sabbath" (Black Sabbath cover) | 7:52 |
3. | "Black Sabbath (From the Satanic Perspective)" | 7:48 |
4. | "Christian Woman" (Edit) | 4:28 |
5. | "Christian Woman" (Butt-Kissing, Sell-Out Version) | 4:28 |
6. | "Black No. 1" (Edit) | 4:39 |
7. | "Blood & Fire" (Out Of The Ashes Mix) | 4:38 |
8. | "Summer Breeze" (Rick Rubin Mix) | 4:57 |
Total length: | 47:31 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Machine Screw" | 0:40 |
2. | "Christian Woman" | 8:58 |
3. | "Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)" | 11:15 |
4. | "Fay Wray Come Out and Play" | 1:03 |
5. | "Kill All the White People" | 3:24 |
6. | "Summer Breeze" (Seals & Crofts cover) | 4:49 |
7. | "Set Me on Fire" | 3:30 |
8. | "Dark Side of the Womb" | 0:28 |
9. | "We Hate Everyone" | 6:52 |
10. | "Bloody Kisses (A Death in the Family)" | 10:56 |
11. | "3.0.I.F." | 2:06 |
12. | "Too Late: Frozen" | 7:51 |
13. | "Blood & Fire" | 5:33 |
14. | "Can't Lose You" | 6:07 |
Total length: | 1:13:32 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Suspended In Dusk" | 8:40 |
2. | "Black Sabbath" (Black Sabbath cover) | 7:52 |
3. | "Black Sabbath (From the Satanic Perspective)" | 7:48 |
4. | "Christian Woman" (Edit) | 4:28 |
5. | "Black No. 1" (Edit) | 4:39 |
6. | "Blood & Fire" (Out Of The Ashes Mix) | 4:38 |
7. | "Summer Breeze" (Rick Rubin Mix) | 4:57 |
Total length: | 43:03 |
Year | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|
1993 | German Albums Chart [30] | 60 |
1995 | US Billboard 200 | 166 |
Chart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [31] | 35 |
Croatian International Albums (HDU) [32] | 13 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [33] | 29 |
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) [34] | 27 |
Portuguese Albums (AFP) [35] | 108 |
Type O Negative was an American gothic metal/doom metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York City in 1989 by Peter Steele, Kenny Hickey, Josh Silver, and Sal Abruscato, who was later replaced by Johnny Kelly. Their lyrical emphasis on themes of romance, depression, and death resulted in the nickname "the Drab Four". The band went platinum with 1993's Bloody Kisses, and gold with 1996's October Rust, and gained a fanbase through seven studio albums, two best-of compilations, and concert DVDs.
Peter Thomas Ratajczyk, known professionally as Peter Steele, was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist, bassist and composer of the gothic metal band Type O Negative. Before forming Type O Negative, Steele had formed the heavy metal group Fallout and the thrash metal band Carnivore.
Slow, Deep and Hard is the debut studio album by the American gothic metal band Type O Negative, released on June 11, 1991, through Roadrunner Records. The album was originally titled None More Negative, and released in 1990 as a demo under the group's former name Repulsion.
Josh Silver is an American retired musician who is the former keyboardist, producer and backing vocalist of gothic metal band Type O Negative. He joined the band at frontman Peter Steele's request. He played for Type O Negative until they disbanded due to Steele's death in 2010.
October Rust is the fourth studio album by Type O Negative. It was released in 1996. This is the first album with Johnny Kelly credited as the band's drummer, although programmed drums are used on the album. October Rust has more ballads and less of the doom metal sound of previous or subsequent albums. It also features a cover of Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl".
The Origin of the Feces is the second studio album by the American gothic metal band Type O Negative, released in 1992.
World Coming Down is the fifth studio album by the American gothic metal band Type O Negative. Released on September 21, 1999, it is considered to be the darkest of the band's releases, having been written after a series of deaths in frontman Peter Steele's family, combined with the desire to break away from the sexually charged themes of the previous albums. It was also the band's first album to reach the Top 40 on the Billboard 200.
Life Is Killing Me is the sixth studio album by gothic metal band Type O Negative. It was released on June 17, 2003, and was their final studio album released through record label Roadrunner Records.
Life of Agony is an American alternative metal band from Brooklyn, New York City, formed in 1989 by singer Keith Caputo, bassist Alan Robert and guitarist Joey Z. The band has released six studio albums to date, most notably their 1993 debut River Runs Red, named by Rolling Stone as one of the Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.
The Least Worst Of is a compilation album from Type O Negative. It contains previously released material alongside a number of unreleased tracks and remixes. The album is available in an edited variant and an unedited one. The photograph on the album cover is of the defunct Parachute jump at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York.
Sal Abruscato is an American drummer, guitarist and singer, best known as the original drummer for Brooklyn metal bands Type O Negative and Life of Agony.
River Runs Red is the debut studio album by American alternative metal band Life of Agony, released on October 12, 1993, by Roadrunner Records. It is a concept album, telling the story of a teenager, from a troubled household, who ultimately attempts suicide. The album features what Rolling Stone called "bleak odes to misanthropy, parental neglect, regret and killing yourself".
Ugly is the second album released by American alternative metal band Life of Agony. The band incorporates a more melodic and less heavy alternative metal sound compared to the heavier, New York hardcore-influenced sound heard on their 1993 debut, River Runs Red. Ugly still features the band's trademark heavy riffing ; however, elements such as "gang" backing vocals and double-bass drumming have been replaced by slower, more melodic moments and even acoustic guitar. Lead singer Mina Caputo opted for a more natural vocal delivery, eschewing the baritone howls heard on the previous record.
"Summer Breeze" is a 1972 song by American soft rock duo Seals and Crofts. It is the title track of their fourth studio album, and was released as the album's lead single in August 1972. The song reached No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US. In 2013, it was ranked No. 13 in Rolling Stone′s "Best Summer Songs of All Time". The song also became a hit for the Isley Brothers in 1974.
The Best of Type O Negative is an album from Roadrunner Records, featuring a collection of Type O Negative's music with the label. The album was released without Type O Negative's involvement.
Dead Again is the seventh and final studio album by the American gothic metal band Type O Negative, released before the death of frontman Peter Steele in 2010, and subsequent dissolution of the band. It was released on March 13, 2007, through record label Steamhammer, a subsidiary of SPV.
"Christian Woman" is a single by gothic metal band Type O Negative from their 1993 album Bloody Kisses. It is one of two songs that people credit with propelling the band into the mainstream. The song is inspired by a real woman with whom lead singer and songwriter Peter Steele was once romantically involved. Steele told Revolver, "She was a Roman Catholic, much as I am, but she would get off on breaking the rules a little bit. She would ask me to dress up as a priest and, well, I guess you can just imagine what would happen after that. So, I guess you could say I have a bit of a priest infection."
For When It Rains is a 20,000 limited edition VHS by the band Type O Negative, which was released in 1994 as an add-on to the Bloody Kisses digi-pack.
Keith Caputo is an American singer best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of New York City alternative metal band Life of Agony. Caputo came out as transgender in 2011 and transitioned to female. In November 2024, Caputo announced he would be detransitioning back to male. During the interim period, he identified as Mina Caputo.
"Black No. 1 " is a single by American gothic metal band Type O Negative from their 1993 album Bloody Kisses. The song was written by lead singer Peter Steele while driving a garbage truck. During an interview with Revolver, he stated "I was waiting in line for three hours to dump 40 cubic yards of human waste at the Hamilton Avenue Marine Transfer Station, and I wrote the song in my head. I'm not kidding you." The lyrics sarcastically detail a relationship with a woman involved with the Goth subculture, loosely based around a relationship Steele was once in, and throws many tongue-in-cheek references to Halloween, Nosferatu, and Lily Munster, as well as quick musical references to Vic Mizzy's The Addams Family Theme as well as Jack Marshall's The Munsters' Theme. It is arguably their signature song; although it never cracked the Billboard Hot 100, it was their best-selling single and was a mainstay on MTV's Headbangers Ball. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked the song No. 64 on their list of the 100 greatest heavy metal songs of all time.
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