Christian Death
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Christian Death is a pioneering force in the realm of Goth music. The name Christian Death came about as a mockery of the name, Christian Dior, a famous brand name designer. Their play on words of the famous designer’s name possibly represented their backlash against the pretty people of their native Los Angeles. L.A. was a major player in the early punk scene. Christian Death got their start playing L.A. clubs with local punk bands. Their first recorded appearance came via an L.A. punk compilation titled Hell Comes to Your House.
The early 1980s were paradoxical years for the band. Founder, Rozz Williams and crew went through a number of lineup changes; however, their 1982 Only Theatre of Pain proved a defining release for the Goth movement. The ensuing years were characterized by a constant revolving door of musicians, which led to two factions claiming the rights to the Christian Death moniker, which continued (even to this day) after Rozz Williams’ suicide by hanging.
Valor Kand, a member who joined the band in 1984 for their Catastrophe Ballet release, possesses the legal rights of the Christian Death trademark. Along with his wife, Maitri, Valor has taken the group in a heavier, gothic metal direction than their early material. Their latest album American Inquisition is heavy in both concept and music. This canorous couple handles the musical and lyrical core duties on this album, only seeking help from a few session members. Maitri and Valor were kind enough to offer their perspective to Blistering readers on this Goth metal phoneme and their latest mind-opening recording.
Blistering.com: The new Christian Death album American Inquisition shows your group heading in a different direction, both musically and thematically. What are these differences?
Valor: Actually, we did not make a conscious attempt to change direction. The music on this album grew from our inner urge to express things as we see and feel them in the world today.
Maitri: What we did was lock ourselves away from all outside influences; we did not buy, download or listen to music from any other artists while we worked on this album. Obviously sometimes, you hear things when you go places but we did our best to isolate our minds. We wanted to find ourselves.
Valor: That way we could create music that filled the void in the silence of our desires.
Blistering.com: American Inquisition contains controversial ideas. Have you received criticism from any group or individual listeners for voicing these viewpoints?
Maitri: Actually, we were surprised to find most people agree or sympathize with our points of view.
Valor: I expected the CIA to put tails on us and haul us in for interrogation, mostly because of other people’s interpretation of what we are saying, putting words in our mouths. We are not taking politics, that is a side issue of the big picture, “corruption,” religious, corporate, militaristic, the same old song but today the music is more intense, it is a culmination of the powers that be trying to drag us back into the dark ages, back to the way things were during the first Inquisition.
Blistering.com: Making social and political change in today’s America is nearly chimera, unless you own an outrageous fortune. However, if you are part of the media, albeit film, music or literature you have an audience for your voice to be heard. Do you believe your music has the ability to reach the masses and make a difference?
Maitri: Yes, the Beatles did but today, most artists are too busy being whore-mongers chasing money.
Valor: We take responsibility for our words and actions and the effect they may have on others. We are aware of the influence we have and attempt to use that influence in a positive way.
Blistering.com: Whenever someone voices an opinion that is unpopular or not upheld by the establishment, he or she is subject to much ridicule. One man who has never been afraid of exposing evidence contradictory to the corporate media is Alex Jones. You sampled some of Jones’s documentaries on “XIII,” which ends the album. Obviously, you feel Jones’s work is significant. Tell our readers about the clips you used and why you felt they were pertinent to American Inquisition.
Valor: Actually, I think he makes a lot of points worth consideration. On “XIII,” I used his monologue on how Bush and his buddies worship the ancient demon god Moloch, mostly because of the amusement aspect. I would not be surprised if it is true. I am however convinced that Bush and the minions in bed with him are out for self-gratification with little concern for the people they claim to defend.
Blistering.com: This cover art sets a controversial tone. Please explain the symbolism contained in this scene. Who created the art?
Valor: Maitri & I. The image of the Abu Gharab victim is still linked to the abuse and corruption demonstrated by the current administration and it is frequently referred to by people in and outside the U.S. as an example of U.S. corruption. We suspended the man from a cross, a reference to the influence of the Christian right wing and its continuing hold on our culture and our morals, which are based on lies. The rest should be obvious.
Blistering.com: The bio for American Inquisition states, “Rather than using a word or phrase as a double entendre, whole songs are intended to skew the listener’s overall perspective.” Why did you approach your lyrics in such a manner?
Maitri: We want people to think; sometimes people have to assemble a puzzle before they can see the picture.
Blistering.com: One track that has a vague message is “Narcissus Metamorphosis.” Listeners may find grasping the song’s main idea because you wrote it in a personal, first person point of view. Can you explain this song’s lyrics?
Valor: One perspective is the ego. Our egos make us all insecure, an affliction of our ignorance. The level of our ignorance and insecurity determines our level of greed and cruelty. For me, learning to overcome these weaknesses helps me be a better person.
Maitri: Everyone will decipher something different and that is our intent as everyone has different issues.
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