Christian Death

Christian Death, the pioneers of American goth rock, have challenged organized religion and conventional morality for over four decades with their provocative lyrics and cover art. Emerging in 1979, the band's sound, dubbed "death rock," drew influences from L.A. punk and heavy metal, as well as British glam rock and industrial music. Despite internal conflicts and lineup changes, Christian Death's impact on the American goth scene was immense, influencing generations of goth, metal, and industrial acts. The tragic end of founder Rozz Williams in 1998 marked a turning point for the band, leading to a bitter feud over the Christian Death name and the emergence of competing versions of the group.

Rozz Williams founded Christian Death in 1979, shaping the band's early sound with provocative themes of blasphemy, morbidity, and sexual perversity. As the band's lineup evolved, they released influential albums like Only Theatre of Pain and Catastrophe Ballet, solidifying their place in the goth rock genre. Following Williams' departure in 1985, guitarist Valor Kand took the reins and steered Christian Death in a more political and metal-oriented direction. The band experienced further lineup changes and legal battles over the band's name, leading to multiple iterations of Christian Death and a complex legacy in the goth music landscape.