DANZIG

The fourth full-length studio album by legendary American Heavy/Gothic/Industrial/Dark Metal band.
Band's final album on American Recordings, and the last to feature the original lineup of John Christ (guitar), Eerie Von (bass), and Chuck Biscuits (drums). "Danzig 4" followed 1993's highly successful "Thrall: Demonsweatlive" EP and singer Glenn Danzig's 1992 instrumental solo effort, Black Aria.
The album cover features artwork by Glenn Danzig. Glenn Danzig has referred to the symbols on the album cover as "Vehmic runes" that spell out "Danzig". They were taken from the alphabet of a secret tribunal group from Medieval Germany called the Vehmgericht. In various 1994-95 interviews, Danzig explained that he did not wish to give the album a title, as he felt that a logo or printing would ruin the artwork, which he wished to stand on its own. After pressure from representatives from American Recordings, who did not want to release an unlabeled album for fear that sales would plummet, Danzig relented and allowed a sticker reading "Danzig 4" to be placed on the album's cellophane wrapper in both the vinyl and CD formats. To the right of the "4" is a tiny uppercase letter "P", in reference to the Four P movement. The following information was supplied by American Recordings in 1994: "The Four P movement is an alleged Satanic cult operating throughout the United States. An offshoot of the notorious Process Church of the Final Judgment, the Four P movement takes its name from the Process' original sigil: a swastika-like form composed of four interlocking Ps. The Four P movement was supposedly begun in 1967, and has been connected to a number of ritual killings across the country, including the Son of Sam killings in New York and the Manson Family murders in California." In interviews, the band members themselves usually refer to the album simply as Danzig 4, which is printed on the CD itself, the inlay spine, and the labels on the vinyl LP. In the liner notes to the 2007 compilation "The Lost Tracks of Danzig", however, Glenn Danzig refers several times to "Danzig 4P".
The album is more experimental than its predecessors, and Glenn Danzig described it as "A very challenging record, philosophically, vocally and musically". Danzig's experiments with using texture and atmosphere to evoke their trademark mood of Darkness and Evil, come to the forefront on this album, with John Christ contributing more effects and fuller chord voicing. The band has also started to craft their songs, using different instruments and a few Industrial sounds in the background of some tracks. Out of all their releases, the music here comes the closest to reflecting the darkness of Glenn Danzig's lyrics.
Music videos were released for the songs "Until You Call on the Dark", "I Don't Mind the Pain", "Cantspeak" and "Sadistikal". "Until You Call on the Dark" video was initially rejected by MTV's Standards and Practices department due to its lyrical content.
Shortly after the album had been recorded, Biscuits left the band, returned, and was finally fired. Just prior to the album's release, he was replaced by Joey Castillo. Eerie Von and Christ also intended to leave the band, but decided to stay for the remainder of the tour supporting the album and left the band on July 5 the following year.
Maintaining a mysterious, dark and primal attitude seems to come easy to Danzig, as the band proves itself once again on "Danzig 4". "Danzig 4" is definitely not for the meek!
American Recordings, LLC/Universal Music International B.V., 1994/2013 (731458695622). Made in EU.


Tracklist:
1. Brand New God 4:30
2. Little Whip 5:09
3. Cantspeak 4:06
4. Going Down To Die 5:01
5. Until You Call On The Dark 4:23
6. Dominion 4:15
7. Bringer Of Death 4:40
8. Sadistikal 5:06
9. Son Of The Morning Star 5:03
10. I Don't Mind The Pain 4:45
11. Stalker Song 5:48
12. Let It Be Captured 5:18
13. Invocation (Hidden Track) 2:59
Total playing time: 61:03 min.

The third full-length studio album by legendary American Heavy/Blues/Gothic/Doom Metal band.
The highest to chart album at the time of its release in 1992 on Def American Recordings. It's marks a departure from the previous Danzig albums and featured more of a Doom and Gothic Metal sound.
Featuring disturbing cover art from H.R. Giger, the album continues to expand the band's musical range; rather than pounding away at simple Blues riffs, the Atmospheric title track and the haunting ballad "Sistinas" attempt to match their music with the darkness of Glenn Danzig's lyrics, resulting in two of the album's high points.
Danzig's vocals are more subtle in places, and John Christ's guitar work continues to improve.
Blues legend Willie Dixon had agreed to guest on the track "Heart of the Devil", but died before the recording session was scheduled.
Music videos were released for the songs "How the Gods Kill", "Dirty Black Summer", "Bodies" and "Sistinas". A live performance of the song "Left Hand Black" has also been released.
Retaining and perfecting all their Rock and Roll glory, while adding a thick layer of Atmosphere, Danzig reached their apex with their third album. Twenty years later, it hasn't shown its age in the slightest.
American Recordings, LLC/Universal Music International B.V., 1992/2013 (731458695523). Made in EU.


Tracklist:
1. Godless 6:51
2. Anything 4:49
3. Bodies 4:25
4. How The Gods Kill 5:57
5. Dirty Black Summer 5:14
6. Left Hand Black 4:30
7. Heart Of The Devil 4:40
8. Sistinas 4:25
9. Do You Wear The Mark 4:47
10. When The Dying Calls 3:31
Total playing time: 49:09 min.