In the Shadow of the Sun (album)

This article is about the 1984 album. For other uses, see Shadow of the Sun (disambiguation).

In the Shadow of the Sun
Soundtrack album by Throbbing Gristle
Released	February 1984
Label	Illuminated
Throbbing Gristle chronology
Editions-Frankfurt, Berlin (1983) In the Shadow of the Sun (1984) Sacrifice (1986)
Alternate cover

In the Shadow of the Sun is an improvised musical score by Throbbing Gristle for the 1981 Derek Jarman film of the same name. ^[1]

Background

In the Shadow of the Sun is an improvised musical score for the film of the same name by Derek Jarman. Throbbing Gristle founder Genesis P-Orridge called the film "ambient video", used to "enhance or complete an environment." ^[2]

Musical style

Simon Ford, author of the Throbbing Gristle biography Wreckers of Civilisation: The Story of COUM Transmissions & Throbbing Gristle, opined that both the movie and its accompanying soundtrack "revelled in distortion, chance and formlessness." ^[1] According to Dale Cornish, the recording is "possibly up there with CD1 as the classic TG-goes-a-bit-ambient moment". ^[3]

Live performances

Throbbing Gristle played a new improvised version of the soundtrack on January 1st 2006 at the Volksbühne in Berlin, which was "complimented with the fantastic addition of choral washes". ^[3] This concert was released in 2024 by Mute Records as part of the Berlin TG box set. According to Cornish, the rehearsal "seems a touch more visceral than the live version". ^[3]

In 2007, Throbbing Gristle played the soundtrack "with full choir conducted by Hildur Guðnadóttir" inside the Turbine Hall of Tate Modern, London, and at the Donaufestival in Austria. ^{[4] [5] [6]} After seeing the Tate Modern concert, critic Dale Cornish wrote "I recall [...] thinking how odd to have something this beautiful with TG". ^[3]

Throbbing Gristle played other live versions of the soundtrack during their April 2009 United States tour, as well as in Denmark and Scotland during June 2009. ^[7]

Psychic TV performed a reinterpreted version of the soundtrack live along with a screening of the film at Cafe Oto in London during their spring 2017 European tour.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Sounds	[8]

The Wire described the soundtrack as "dark and mournful". ^[9]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Throbbing Gristle (Chris Carter, Peter Christopherson, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Genesis P-Orridge)

Side A

No.	Title	Length
1.	"In the Shadow of the Sun Pt. 1"

Side B

No.	Title	Length
1.	"In the Shadow of the Sun Pt. 2"

Charts

Chart (1984)	Peak position
UK Indie Chart [10]	23

Bibliography

• Ford, Simon (1999). Wreckers of Civilization: The Story of COUM Transmissions & Throbbing Gristle. London: Black Dog.
• Peake, Tony (1999). Derek Jarman: A Biography. Woodstock, New York: The Overlook Press.

References

1. Ford 1999, p. 281.
2. Peake 1999, p. 332.
3. Cornish, Dale (5 December 2024). "Dulce et Indecorum: Throbbing Gristle in Berlin". The Quietus . Retrieved 6 January 2025.
4. "Donaufestival prunkt mit Pop und Avantgarde". Der Standard (in German). 6 March 2007. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
5. Stöger, Gerhard (18 April 2007). "Donaufestival: Pop ohne Future". FALTER.at (in German). Retrieved 6 January 2025.
6. Schachinger, Christian (24 April 2007). "Kunst an der Schmerzgrenze". Der Standard (in German). Retrieved 6 January 2025.
7. "Throbbing Gristle Embark on First U.S. Tour Since 1981". Remix . 11 February 2009. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
8. A Doctor (25 February 1984). "Throbbing Gristle: In the Shadow Of The Sun". Sounds . p. 27.
9. Parker, C., ed. (2007). "Throbbing Gristle". The Wire (281).
10. Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1989. Cherry Red Books. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2014.