Search - Christian Death :: Heretics Alive

A Great Live Performance Filled With Genuine Classics

Ken | Youngsville, LA USA | 05/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded in 1989, this live performance is a great collection of classic Christian Death songs performed in front their devoted fans. Judging by the date and the set list, it is apparent that this tour was in support of the "Sex & Drugs & Jesus Christ" LP released around the same time, with "This Is Heresy", "Wretched Mankind", and "Erection" strategically placed in the show. Even though this was a decidedly heavy and metallic era of the band's career, the older songs form their more goth-oriented days are still performed pretty close to the originals, albeit a little simpler in places, understandably so in light of this being a live performance. "Sick Of Love", "Four Horsemen" (don't forget the lyrics, Val! he he he!!), and "Chimere..." faithfully bring you back a few years to their halcyon days of death-rock perfection. By the end of the record, you find yourself having just as much fun as the band when they were bombarded by stage-climbing fans ready to take part in the "Church Of No Return" saga. The climax, of course, has to be Gitane's soul-stirring "Golden Age" performance... especially knowing the circumstances that surrounded her leaving the band soon after. It's an unbelievable version of the track originally found on "The Scriptures", but this is just keyboard and voice, morphing into a profound and personal sonic catharsis... beautiful. In retrospect, this CD is a great documentation of this version of Christian Death. The "Valor & Gitane" era was silenced immediately after this show, in fact. This show, at the London Marquee, was the last date of the tour, and when Gitane packed up her equipment, it was to be for the last time. Ultimately, because of Gitane's immediate departure after this tour, "The Heretics Alive" is a fitting bookmark to signify the end of one era of Christian Death and the start of a new one. Finally, in addition to this CD, I strongly suggest you also track down the accompanying video of the same name for an even more complete picture of the band."