The Holy Bible

Manic Street Preachers’ acclaimed third album ‘The Holy Bible’ consists of fast paced, heavy music and dark lyrics. Occasional rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards wrote insane lyrics and that mixed with haunting guitars created an album that truly reflects human nature. It isn’t elegant but that is what makes it so effective. Each track is a poetic masterpiece in itself. The opener ‘Yes’, which is the highlight of the album for me, compares Richey’s life to that of a prostitute and describes the feeling of being cheapened by exploiting your mental health and coping through self-abuse. Being the opening track, it sets the tone for what is a journey into the cruelty of humanity. ‘Ifwhiteamerica...’, mostly written by bassist Nicky Wire, discusses American consumerism and how images of a perfect country contrast with violence and racism. The media’s glorification of serial killers is highlighted in ‘Archives of Pain’ and evokes controversy through its seemingly pro death penalty stance. ‘4st 7lb’ consists of a harrowing tale of a girl who suffering from anorexia and believes that, by starving herself, she is degrading into a purer and better state; this is reflected in Edwards’ own struggle with anorexia. ‘Faster’ examines how Richey lived his life amongst a judgemental society, who did not understand him. The chugging drums in ‘The Intense Humming of Evil’ mirror the train tracks of victims being sent to concentration camps in the Holocaust. ‘Die in the Summertime’ is an intense track reflecting how the narrator wants to die in their youth, the prime of their life (Richey Edwards went missing at the age of 27). It is hard to talk about ‘The Holy Bible’ without mentioning Richey’s disappearance in 1995. Some say ‘The Holy Bible’ is, in a way, a last will and testament for a man who was spiralling into oblivion and couldn’t live with the world around him. His disappearance only makes the album more upsetting to listen to. The music itself, written by drummer Sean Moore and vocalist/guitarist James Dean Bradfield, accentuates the narrative behind the lyrics. Paranoia-filled, intense guitars, a heavy bass and chugging drums perfectly capture Richey’s vision and genius. The audio samples featured in some tracks (such as ‘Yes’ and ‘Mausoleum’) only add to the soul-stirring atmosphere, each fitting the tone of the track flawlessly. It’s unsettling, cruel, heavy, brutal and, at times, difficult to listen to (‘4st 7lb’ for example) but that is what makes this album so perfect. Racism, the death penalty, the Holocaust, anorexia, suicide, prostitution and political correctness are just a few of the topics discussed in just 56 minutes and 17 seconds. Nothing is off limits. This is the greatest album of all time.

music i would lie about liking to seem edgier as a teen

Welsh poli-punks hate Reagan and Thatcher as much as me, but they don’t share my fondness for melody or hooks.

An absolute masterpiece. One of the most quotable albums ever, with lyrics by two of the very best to ever write. Songs are lyrically heavy, musically appropriate to the words, with flashes of genius every few seconds. Almost unfair that one band would have two such poetic lyricists, and two genius all-round musicians, and one of the very best vocalists ever, and a drummer who is such a good all-rounder, and as a band they would even design covers/videos/artwork. That that they would combine to collaborate with such a clear vision is almost unbelievable. Favourite tracks are ... All of them! We miss you Richey

A disturbing and brutal masterpiece - my favorite album of all time. I'm not very good at writing sincere positive reviews, so I'll just say that I love every song on here. I recommend reading up on Richey Edwards before listening to this. It might seem like an album written by a whiny edgelord at first, but you'll understand that it's essentially a broken man's suicide note. The lyrical structures might not be for everyone. There's not many rhymes here and at times it feels like the singer is really struggling to make the lyrics fit. (Big props to James Dean Bradfield for somehow making it all work). I think it adds to the brutality of the whole experience. There isn't much to latch on structurally, so you're just kind of on a bumpy ride to Fuckville, or whatever. It's like reading a block of text with no punctuation in musical form. (And pretty sure that's how they printed the lyrics as well) I'm rambling here. I don't even know what half of the words I just wrote mean, so I'll stop now before I get super obnoxiously pretentious. Listen to this damn album, man. Stop reading the reviews, MICHAEL. A big ol' 10/10.

“The Holy Bible” by Manic Street Preachers (1994) Hateful, foul, cruel, profane, Here’s an album that takes some pretty nasty passions and puts them on public display. This artistic impetus is well informed, intelligently constructed only occasionally losing its poetic footing. Lyrics are meaningful, erudite, expansively referential, and horrifying. The title is a bit of misdirection, generating within the potential listener a vain wish for some serious anti-Christian attack. But what one gets is merely anti-human. "Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit'sworldwouldfallapart" is a song marred by the improper use of the apostrophe.

Incredible songwriting, performance, and message. Not to mention the sad, sad story behind the album that only enhances it. A gem who's influence is plain to see in much of the music of the next decade.

First off, stop the presses! There is a UK band from the 90’s on this list with actual fire in their bellies….a band that’s not content to comb through the Beatles’ scraps, reheat them and try to pass them off as their own. This sounds closer to a Superchunk record or something their label, Merge Records, would’ve put out than anything those droll Britpop weirdos could ever conjure up. Second, in previous reviews, I’ve alluded to the fact that I am not a very smart guy. Well, add this to the pile of evidence: I had always thought the band was *Manic Street* Preachers, as in Preachers who reside on Manic Street. It didn’t occur to me until today that it’s probably “Manic Street Preachers” as in Street Preachers who are Manic. I’m learning all kinds of lessons today.

Cool music. I can't understand a word they say.

Manic Street Preachers' dark and jagged masterpiece. Every track is a banger yet incredibly dense and could have an essay written about it. At this time the Manics had an interesting approach to songwriting. Richey and Nicky would write the full lyrics to each song then present them to James and Sean to put to music. Just what JDB must have made of the diatribe handed to him is difficult to fathom. However, he did an incredible job in matching the spiky energy of the music to the bleak world view of the lyrics, whilst somehow finding accessible melodies with which to spit out the bilious words. It is this that elevates the album from a poetic rant to a genius work of art. Rating: 5/5 Playlist track: Faster Date listened: 25/03/23

My favourite album when I was 12 years old, my favourite album now and almost certainly my favourite album on the day that I die. This was a cultural rabbit hole for 12 year old me that opened up a vast world of music, books, art, movies and politics. It's a dark has hell (The Intense Humming of Evil), grim and sneering (Yes), smugly intelligent (well, the whole album really), incredibly beautiful (This Is Yesterday) and it fucking rocks (Faster). It's a juggernaut of an album. An utter masterpiece.

This album was a nice surprise. The songs are different enough that you don't get bored but the overall theme is still there. I enjoyed it more than I expected, and most of the songs.

A great introduction to a band I've heard of, but never actually heard.

Good album on first listen that became an incredible album after three listens, despite its very dark themes. I can’t believe I never this gem of an album until now.

Damn, this album is really good. It's like a harder pre-cursor to the pop-punk craze of the mid to late 90's. Every song on here is a banger. 5 stars.

fun! upbeat. a surprising listen because of the terrible album art.

This is your ex boyfriend's favourite album. That's just a fact. It's ok, but it belongs to a certain time and place and if you were on board back in '94, it's hard to hitch a ride 25 years later. The worst thing is that the title of track two has an apostrophe in it, wth.

Never heard of this group. The music is pretty good, but blends together really quickly and starts to sound generic. I was more intrigued by reading about Richey Edwards and his disappearance than the music itself. Still, as usual, a couple good songs on here, but this is pretty middle-of-the-road for me. Favorite tracks: Die in the Summertime, Revol. Album art: Kind of disturbing. I do like the font and the reversed R's, plus having the track list on the front is an interesting choice. But the inset pictures seem menacing. I'm scared. 2.5/5

Stupendous album, sinister, electric, everything that made the Manics great at that time. How I wished that I got to see them in those days.

An absolute masterpiece. One of the most quotable albums ever, with lyrics by two of the very best to ever write. Songs are lyrically heavy, and musically appropriate to the words, with flashes of genius every few seconds. Almost unfair that one band would have two such poetic lyricists, and two genius all-round musicians, and one of the very best vocalists ever, and a drummer who is such a good all-rounder, and as a band they would even design covers/videos/artwork. That they would then combine to collaborate with such a clear vision is almost unbelievable. Favourite tracks are ... All of them! 6 🌟 We miss you Richey

Truth. Oh how searing honesty in art is discomforting. We want it but its hard not to turn away when its here. A little bit searing. Awful name for an album. I like the opening… and yes the music is good but the themes despairing and painful as per the main popular review – its utter human carnage and (deathly, as it turns out) despair. But wonderfully done. They say art is borne of pain. Yes, I agree – as others have written - a terrible masterpiece. ….. Ultimately beautiful, moving, and agitating: depression brought forth into and almost exultant sweeping and cinematic grandeur. The kind I may never wish to listen to again, but WOW.

Dark, grim, intense, loud, confrontational, lyrically strong, fierce vocals, killer guitar sound. The Holy Bible is an absolute amazing album and the best the Manic Street Preachers have released.

Liked this A LOT. Reminds me of Against Me! Need to listen again more closely to the lyrics, but this is a fantastic album.

4,5/5

Featuring some nifty lead guitar work and diverse rhythm techniques/sounds, interesting arrangements, catchy pop melodies this is a highly accessible pop/rock album. The political and social commentary lyrics add some depth beyond the usual boy/girl crap that most pop songs are about. It's well played, well sung and pretty much every track sounds like a potential single, this is a fabulous album.

Another hidden gem that I just discovered, thanks to this list. According to Wikipedia, the band chose the name "The Holy Bible" to reflect the holiness of the album, and I don't know if they achieved it. Still, it's a holy release that deserves its place on 1001 albums to hear before dying.

Een stuk harder dan ik verwachtte! Politiek en mentaal getinte teksten. Ik zet dit zeker in mijn lijst van albums die ik nog eens wil beluisteren

very cool

Brilliance again

Dawno nie slyszalem czegos tak mocnego w swoim przekazie, a dodatkowo swiezego, bo jest to moje pierwsze spotkanie z ta banda, a co to za banda w ogole manic street preachers, to wyspiarska czterososobowa banda, tym razem walijczykow grajacych muzyke dosc ciezka do zaszufladkowania gatunkowo, najbardziej pasuje mi okreslenie tego albumu jako mocna alternatywa, cos post punkowego, jest to trzecia plyta w dyskografii zespolu, sam tytul daje hinta, ze ma to byc dzielo niezwykle, no i takie wlasnie wyszlo w moim odczuciu, bo kazdy trak opowiada jakas historie, ale nie sa to harlequiny jak z nagrania pana Pettiego, ale naprawde ciezkie tematy, gdzie kazda piosenka jest swego rodzaju rozprawa na tematy przerozne od sutenerstwo, hamerykanskosci, prawackich aborcjach na gatunku ludzkim, pozadaniu nieczystosci, wyrokach smierci, rewolucjantach, anoreksji, zatracaniu niewinnosci, standardach spoleczenstwa, przemijaniu, holokauscie, czy politycznej poprawnosci, tak w ultra skrocie mozna strescic kontent liryczny plyty, za ktorym w glownej czesci stal pan Richey Edwards, ktory jest kreditowany jako gitarka rytmiczna, lecz nie bral on udzialu w nagraniach, a jego jedynym wkladem sa teksty, ktore jednak jak dla mnie stanowia o unikalnosci tej plyty, dawno nie slyszalem czegos tak obrazowo nieszczesliwego, przepelnionego takimi emocjami, gdzie czuc autentycznosc wylewajaca sie z kolejnych barow tekstu, byl to ostatni album grupy z udzialem Richiego, o ktorym slad zagial w niedlugim czasie po wydaniu plyty, z tak mocnym przeslaniem jakie niesie plyta jego los jest mocno przewidywalny, od strony muzycznej plyta operuje surowym brzmieniem jakie mozna uzyskac przez mocne przestery gitarkowe i klimatyczne drumowanie, ktore jak na przedostatnim traku the intense humming of evil razem z znieksztalconymi brzmieniami gitary przywodzi na mysl brzmienie pociagow, ktore z kolei bezposrednio lacza sie z tematyka zaglady i obozow koncentracyjnych utworu, sluchajac flakow zdecydowanie da sie odczuc, ze jest to material robiony na szybko, jesli chodzi o produkcje, ale banda zrobila dobra robote jesli chciala oddac istote punka pod wzgledem instrumentali, wokale sa jak dla mnie najslabsza czescia plyty, za ktorymi frontmen James Dean Bradfield ktory gra takze na gitarkach i bawil sie takze na produkcji, jak i reszta czlonkow, wiec moze dlatego plyta ma w sobie to autentyczne brzmienie, o ktore tak ciezko, pozostalymi jeszcze niewymienionymi czlonkami sa Nicky Wire co pisarz i basista, no i Sean Moore na drumach, wiec o ile zeby zrozumiec dokladnie teksty musialem przesluchac z dwa razy, dodatkowo czytajac tekst podczas odsluchu, to jednak jestem zadowolony z tak ciekawego picka listowego, moje top trzy kawalkow z tego krazka to faster, die in the summertime i zamykacjacy song P,C,P, trudna do oceny plyta, ale jednak na tyle unikalna, ze pelne gwiazdki i dodanie na polke spotifajowa

New favorite in there

Fantastic album, great songs, lyrics and general vibe.

In 1994, while Britpop was throwing one endless party across the UK, a four-piece from Wales dropped a Molotov cocktail into the festivities. The Holy Bible is a raw, unflinching exploration of darkness and despair, a stark contrast to the boisterous highs of the time. Six months later, Richey Edwards disappeared, leaving behind an album that feels as prophetic as it is painfully personal. Richey’s lyrics are the beating heart of The Holy Bible. His words are as devastating as they are intelligent, capturing everything from political decay to body image issues to self-destruction. On “4st 7lb,” Edwards confronts anorexia with chilling precision, while “Archives of Pain” delivers a scathing critique of historical atrocities. The man behind these lyrics was spiralling, and the voyeuristic nature of the album—listened to in hindsight—makes it feel like an intimate, unsettling glimpse into his psyche. Musically, the band shed their earlier Guns N’ Roses-inspired bombast, opting for a more concise and claustrophobic sound that drew heavily from post-punk, goth, and echoes of The Clash. The guitars are jagged, the drums industrial, and Bradfield’s voice cuts through it all with unrelenting ferocity. Tracks like “Yes” and “Faster” are unyielding, while “The Intense Humming of Evil” suffocates you with its bleak atmosphere. The sound mirrors the album’s content—nothing is comforting here, there are no soft edges to cushion the blow. In the years after Edwards’ disappearance, the Manics embraced a more polished, anthemic sound on albums like Everything Must Go and This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours. These records brought commercial success but left behind the visceral, confrontational energy that defines The Holy Bible. Where those albums offered catharsis, this one opts for discomfort. For a fleeting moment in 1994, the Manics captured a scathing snapshot of the world’s injustices in a way few others dared. The Holy Bible stands as one of the most uncompromising albums of its era. While not an easy listen, its brutal honesty and thematic depth make it essential for those who rejected the polished veneer of Cool Britannia. It’s an album that never sought to comfort—it sought only to confront. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? Maybe Would this release make my personal list? Had I lived in Britain at the time, I feel I would have had a bigger connection to this band and album. Will I be listening to it again? For sure.

So I had never heard of this band or album before - so I really didn't what to expect - but I really enjoyed it more than I thought I would... Liked the music, liked the vocals, enjoyed the lyrics for the most part, and liked how they worked in the little pre-recorded spoken word effects throughout (i.e. just the right amount, as most artists go way too far with that stuff)… Found several tracks on the album that I thought were extremely well-done IMO – “If White America…” – 4 out of 7-stars… “She Is Suffering” – 4 out of 7-stars… “Archives Of Pain” – 5 out of 7-stars… “Die In The Summertime” – 4 out of 7-stars… “The Intense Humming Of Evil” – 5 out of 7-stars… That’s way more goodness than I was expecting – and most of the other tracks are solid as well… Also appreciated the diversity of sound throughout the album – just really good balance start-to-finish, and a fairly original sound from this band – all score points with me… Read a bit of their bio on Wikipedia, and the details of the disappearance of Richey Edwards – the bands lyricist and rhythm guitarist, was absolutely fascinating, though incredibly sad… Reminded me of demise of Ian Curtis from Joy Division on the eve of their initial North American Tour… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richey_Edwards#Disappearance_and_presumed_death Probably would give this a 3.50 if I could, but just can’t get it to a 4 – so a really well-done 3 it is…

One of those albums where I knew I was listening to a 3 the entire time. Completely unremarkable unexciting alt rock/britpop. First song was closest thing to a standout.

2.8 - Sadly, the backstory, compelling as it is, doesn’t do enough to redeem this record for me. It has an ugly and misanthropic worldview that burns like a chemical fire. Too bad because I really liked the first song “Yes” but that feeling soured quickly.

Another fine generic album by the preachers. Why do these guys have TWO albums on this list???

This is #day125 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... when it comes to essential albums, Nine Inch Nails has The Downward Spiral, The Cure has Disintegration (but also Pornography, right?), and the Manic Street Preachers have The Holy Bible. While the band's catalog has a number of excellent albums—I particularly connect with their more recent releases like 2018’s Resistance Is Futile (which holds a special place for me, as it was the first album my wife and I bonded over as mutual Manics fans, and we look forward to Critical Thinking as well)—The Holy Bible stands apart as their darkest, heaviest, and most striking work. This is also the last album to feature Richey Edwards (except the 2009 Journal for Plague Lovers, where the lyrics are his), and this fact adds a layer of tragic poignancy to the album’s already brooding atmosphere. Until today, I hadn’t fully engaged with the lyrics, and they certainly pack a punch (Hell, for some of the inspirations for the lyrics on the album, the band visited concentration camps). What to say about prostitution, the Holocaust, self-starvation, serial killers, the death penalty, fascism, suicide, and other topics? You bet. The post-punk, almost gothic nature of the music (the Manics cited Magazine, Wire, Joy Division, and Siouxsie and the Banshees as bands that inspired the musical direction of The Holy Bible) enhances its emotional impact, and tracks like "She Is Suffering", "4st 7lb", "Faster", "The Intense Humming of Evil" (the drumming vividly echoes "Atrocity Exhibition"), and many more are standouts. Of course, The Holy Bible is one of those albums you must hear before you die. This marks my second consecutive 5 out of 5 review. Looking forward to #day126.

uhh recht grungy ouh nei de arm tropf:( yes findi megaaa finds bis jz sehrsehr cool, s isch chli weird aber nöd z fest omg de bass bi archives of pain riese refrain (erinneret mich sehr ah nirvana) und denn chli es ruhigers solo, mega revol isch mal chli es chürzers lied wo aber en rechte ohrwurm isch hahah ja sie schaffed iwie fast jede refrain recht catchy z mache, aber iwie au ganz ufe komischi, nöd konventionelli art the intense humming of evil erinneret mi chli ah korn??? eifach weniger weird aber finds sehr spannend pcp findi mega en coole vibe, recht punkig omg ich lieb pcp??? de funny refrain, de mega psoitivi vibe am ganze ich loses gad tum zweite mal und ich LIEBS?? hans scho vorher cool gfunde aber jz bim zweite mal machts na gill meh spass archives of pain findi würkli soo geil

I’ve never been compelled to read every word in every song on an album until today. This is not how I saw my day materializing… As a kid growing up in the late 80s / early 90s, MSP was in the ears of mostly by smart collegiate minded people who wore rugby shirts and drove Volvos and came from wealthy families, so I just assumed from their fan base I wouldn't like them. And maybe back then, I truly wouldn't've. Then there’s the whole religion biblical references to the band and the album… a complete turnoff… However, the whole back story about Richard Edwards provided a hook and intrigue, so I read on and dove into the album. It's dark, really dark. This dude Richard was into self-harm, starving himself and his disappearance is widely considered a result of death by suicide. The lyrics are self-torturous, self-loathing and full of pessimistic disgust. Traditionally, this isn’t something I’m drawn toward, but the songs and arrangements are spot on for emerging 90’s grunge from abroad. It seems wrong to say that I ‘enjoyed’ this album, but I really, really liked it. It’s got a great sound and the song meanings are so out of the ordinary. https://genius.com/albums/Manic-street-preachers/The-holy-bible

What an amazing album. I feel like this album got swept under the rug with Kurt's suicide the year prior basically signaling the death of the grunge movement. And to have a depressed guitarist/songwriter who disappeared in 1995 never to have his body found and only declared legally deceased in 2008 makes for an even interesting backstory to this album. I can't believe I hadn't ever listened to this. Such a precursor to post-grunge and emo in the early 2000's. I enjoyed this album beginning to end. I couldn't understand a lot of the lyrics but the music itself carried my interest. I need to read the rest of the lyrics as they seem to all be pretty depressing.

I have always loved this album. It's bleak, it's dark, it's a demonstration of the power of the band. This is surely the peak of their output.

Great album. Classic MSP

## In-Depth Review of *The Holy Bible* by Manic Street Preachers Released on August 30, 1994, *The Holy Bible* stands as a pivotal moment in the discography of the Manic Street Preachers. The album is a complex tapestry woven from dark themes, intricate lyrics, and a distinctive sound that challenges listeners both musically and intellectually. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and its lasting influence, while also outlining its pros and cons. ### ****Lyrics The lyrics of *The Holy Bible* are primarily penned by Richey Edwards, whose haunting words explore a myriad of heavy themes including: - **Sex Work**: The album opens with “Yes,” which delves into the commodification of bodies and the moral complexities surrounding sex work. - **American Imperialism**: Tracks like “Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforoneday” critique American consumer culture and its global impact. - **Fascism and Genocide**: Songs such as “4st 7lb” address the horrors of historical atrocities and the human psyche’s darker aspects. - **Mental Health and Self-Starvation**: The title track and “Of Walking Abortion” reflect Edwards’ struggles with mental illness and self-harm, presenting a raw and unfiltered view of despair. Edwards’ lyrical style is marked by dense, often cryptic phrases that challenge conventional narrative forms. His use of metaphor and allusion creates a sense of urgency and provocation, inviting listeners to engage deeply with the material. ### ****Music Musically, *The Holy Bible* is characterized by its fusion of post-punk energy and hard rock intensity. Key elements include: - **Instrumentation**: The guitar work by James Dean Bradfield is sharp and aggressive, complementing Sean Moore's precise drumming. The bass lines are tight yet dynamic, contributing to the album's overall urgency. - **Production**: Produced by Dave Eringa, the album features a raw sound that enhances its lyrical intensity. The production choices emphasize the band’s punk roots while incorporating elements of metal and alternative rock. - **Vocal Delivery**: Bradfield’s vocal performance ranges from melodic to visceral, effectively conveying the emotional weight of Edwards’ lyrics. His ability to oscillate between beauty and aggression adds depth to tracks like “Faster” and “Revol.” ### ****Themes The overarching themes of *The Holy Bible* reflect a profound engagement with societal issues: - **Critique of Society**: The album serves as a scathing critique of contemporary society, addressing topics like political correctness, consumerism, and moral decay. - **Existential Despair**: Many songs grapple with feelings of hopelessness and existential dread, mirroring Edwards’ personal struggles with mental health. - **Historical Reflection**: The lyrics often reference historical events and figures, creating a dialogue between past atrocities and present realities. These themes resonate deeply with listeners, positioning *The Holy Bible* as not just an album but a socio-political commentary that remains relevant today. ### ****Influence *The Holy Bible* has had a lasting impact on both fans and artists alike: - **Cultural Significance**: The album has been cited as influential in shaping the Britpop movement that followed. Its boldness inspired many bands to tackle difficult subjects through their music. - **Legacy of Richey Edwards**: Following Edwards' disappearance in 1995, his legacy has only grown. Fans continue to connect with his words on a personal level, often viewing them as a source of comfort in times of struggle. - **Continued Relevance**: The themes explored in *The Holy Bible* resonate with contemporary issues such as mental health awareness, political unrest, and societal critique. This relevance has ensured its place in discussions about music that matters. ### ****Pros and Cons #### Pros: - **Lyrical Depth**: The complexity and emotional weight of the lyrics provide a rich listening experience that invites analysis. - **Musical Innovation**: The blend of genres creates a unique sound that distinguishes it from other albums of its time. - **Cultural Impact**: Its influence on future generations of musicians highlights its importance in rock history. #### Cons: - **Accessibility**: The dense lyrics may alienate some listeners who prefer more straightforward songwriting. - **Dark Themes**: The heavy subject matter can be emotionally taxing for some audiences, limiting its appeal to those seeking lighter music. - **Niche Appeal**: While critically acclaimed, its avant-garde approach may not resonate with mainstream audiences accustomed to more commercial sounds. ### Conclusion In summary, *The Holy Bible* by Manic Street Preachers is an album that transcends mere musicality; it is an exploration into the depths of human experience. With its intricate lyrics, innovative soundscapes, and profound themes, it challenges listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about society and themselves. While it may not be for everyone due to its heavy content and complex nature, its enduring influence speaks volumes about its significance in the landscape of modern music. As we reflect on this landmark album nearly three decades after its release, it remains a testament to the power of art to provoke thought and inspire change.

I loved this album! Brand new artist, I’ve been missing out. Will definitely be digging into their catalog more

9/10. At first, it seemed to be a mere decent Britpop album. However, as it progressed, it began getting better. The usage of what appears to be sampled quotes at the beginning of some songs, as well as the lyrics regarding numerous serious topics really bring a very interesting vibe to the album as a whole. I don't usually like the vocals from a Britpop album, but the vocals here are incredible. Speaking of vocals, I find the fact that the vocalist who sang in this song disappeared to give this album another meaning. I am also fond of the general instrumentation in this album. Overall, it's a really great listen, and all of its layers really intrigue me!!! :)

The uncompromising and unrelenting creative vision of Richey Edwards for his outfit Manic Street Preachers reaches its apogee with The Holy Bible. Thirteen tracks of haunting, disparate topics keeps this record on the kind of edge sharp enough to cut through bone, never mind skin and muscle. Along with samplings of audio from newscasts, documentaries and obscure movies, the music displayed here rattles around the brain to the point of impending stickiness. Edwards' disappearance in early 1995 (he would be declared dead in 2008) has proven to be a millstone for The Holy Bible, yet it doesn't diminish the potency it obtains.

Awesome from start to finish. Archives of Pain is the highlight but honestly it’s all good.

An emotional and disturbing masterpiece, this is the manics best work, but can be such a hard listen knowing what happened to Richey, he was going through these horrific themes himself, which sadly does give authenticity to the art.

Pretty heavy album, been a while since I listened to it before and I don't recall thinking it was really good, but this time it really is

This really made my stomach hurt but in a good way and in a bad way

My experience was made ten times better by having the lyrics in front of me, as I couldn't make out more than the odd word otherwise. I had a chance to see the Manics a few years before this album dropped, as they played at my university. But I considered them too mainstream at the time, so gave it a miss, big regrets now. This is a definite five star album for me. I hadn't heard a single track before, although I was aware of this album's existence. I figured it would come up at some point on this project and now it has. Far better than I had even hoped for, an excellent mix of distressing lyrics and musicianship.

10/10

Anger, desolation, remorse—this is just the bleakest album. It reflects the misery of turning 15 at the time; "soft skin now acne." "The Holy Bible" is also peak Manics, when they jettisoned Hollywood-style production in favour of making an entire album that sounded like it was recorded down a tube, but that finds beauty in its unpredictable timeshifts and razor-sharp guitar, when Richie found his voice and confidence as a writer, and before they became radio-friendly with "Everything Must Go," which has dated awfully compared to "The Holy Bible."

The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers remains a powerful and haunting album, resonating deeply even decades after its release. The raw intensity of the lyrics, penned by Richey Edwards and Nicky Wire, confronts listeners with unflinching examinations of human suffering, political corruption, and personal despair. Musically, the album blends post-punk aggression with melodic hooks, creating a soundscape that's both abrasive and captivating. The production, handled by Steve Brown, captures the band's urgency and intensity, ensuring that every note and word hits with maximum impact. James Dean Bradfield's vocal delivery is both impassioned and harrowing, perfectly complementing the dark themes explored throughout the record. The album's cover art, featuring a triptych by Jenny Saville, adds another layer of depth to the project, visually representing the stark realities discussed within. Even today, The Holy Bible stands as a testament to the band's willingness to tackle difficult subjects head-on, refusing to shy away from the uncomfortable truths of existence. Its influence can be seen in the work of countless artists who have drawn inspiration from its fearless approach. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 9 STAND OUT TRACK - Yes

This album is incredible. Truly could not get enough of it. Lyrics, vocals, instrumentals...just perfectly in my wheelhouse. Favorite track: Faster

A gutteral cry of pain and righteous anger. You can clearly here that they come out of waters that gave us acts like Green Day and The Smashing Pumpkins. They have the straightforward drive and under produced sound of a post punk, but also some of the use of tone and effect that is so noticeable in the Pumpkins. The album came out in 1994, and Foo Fighters formed that same year, and boy do the first 3 or 4 tracks on the album sound like something Grohl et. al. drew from. I'm almost sure to revisit this album, as a listen through with the lyrics in front of me is sure to bear some fruit.

Wow, this blew me away! Especially the back half of the album, Faster, This Is Yesterday, and P.C.P. are all killer songs. I’m sad I didn’t discover this sooner

A few times during this project I’ve noticed an alignment certain days and the album that appears. The first Christmas for this project the album was the Phil Spector Christmas album… and I think The Smith’s “The Queen is Dead” if I recall correctly… Not having familiarity with The Manic Street Preachers I didn’t notice anything peculiar as I played this in the car on my way to buy supplies for a 4th of July barbecue after the first song I heard an ad for a tribute to Ronald Reagan followed by the song “Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit’sworldwouldfallapart”. I immediately added this bleak and insightful song to my 4th of July playlist. The Holy Bible is an angry, not too subtle diatribe one the ills of the world of the early 1990s. Unfortunately the diatribe seems to have only become more appropriate today. Between the US Supreme Court, dysfunctional Congress and the surreal race to become the President some angry political rock is far too appropriate. It’s tough to be facing existential problems without confidence in those leading the response. I read background on this on Wikipedia and learned this was the last album before lead rhythm guitarist/lyricist Richey Edwards disappeared. This saddened me as I listened to the dark, strongly political and sometimes quite personal lyrics. Sometimes not even having the skills to create great musical compositions can alleviate the darkness and pain of the world. I guess I am fortunate in that I’ve been able to sidestep life-threatening darkness and depression for most my life. Then again I’ve never quite so eloquently expressed my fears, frustrations and anger as Richey Edwards did. I’m very glad to have had the opportunity to really listen to this and reflect on Richey Edwards. RIP.

I KNOW I BELIEVE IN NOTHING. BUT IT IS MY NOTHING. It's like the algorithm knew... Album 1001 is possibly my favourite album of all time. Possibly the only album which captures the bleakness of existing in the world, even 30 years on... Probably because people don't change, the world is always going to be this bad. Your idols speak so much of the abyss Yet your morals only run as deep as THE SURFACE Miss you Richey. Always x

One thing I think I've learned over the course of rating all these albums is that present mood is a big factor. I'm not sure I'd always give this a five, but today it felt just like what I wanted to listen to. I don't think the lyrics here are nearly as deep or meaningful as Richey thought they were. And the music is super bombastic, which I often find a turn-off. But today, it's a five.

oh right, rock is good a lot of the time

Adore this record, such a shame they only ever made one even nearly this good. Generation Terrorists easily their next best but doesn't approach this as a whole artistic achievement. RIP Richey. From the opening melody of Yes I'm totally drawn in and back to the first time I ever heard it. Love that this is tagged as britpop, this is NOT britpop, lol. While everything else was focused on reproducing the sound of the 60s the Manics went digging around the jagged edges of 1978-1982. And they saw that it was good. Some lyrics probably haven't aged well, but much of this was the product of a very troubled mind so there needs to be allowances for that. A shame Nicky has turned into such a lib dem kind of guy, he used to be so cool. The music as well, James and Sean were never this visceral, before or again. I find it oddly summery, despite all the darkness, particularly She is Suffering, I always crave it more during hot weather, and this has come out on a gorgeous 23 degree May day. Every song is absolutely fantastic. Just all of it. Fucking brilliant. Definitely one of my all time favourites. Immediately lost interest in the band after Everything Must Go, as far as I can tell they haven't done anything really decent apart from Masses Against the Classes after that. But they did make this, and for that I'm always grateful. Who's responsible? They fucking were.

Might be my favourite album ever.

I think there is more of a message here and I got at firts listen, but the songs were bops! Definitely will listen again.

Socialist left wing genius

By far the best MSP album, and just one of the best albums ever made.

An absolutely fantastic album. I love the style and the sound - but my favorite part is the deeply thought out lyrics (and interspersed audio). I really feel like the album tells a story/is sending a message in an artistic and creative way. Definitely want to check out their other stuff!

One of my favorite bands

If I knew about this album when I was 15, I would have been even more of an emo nightmare than I was.

I really like their style. It’s raw and sophisticated at the same time.

I’ve heard the name of this band before but didn’t know what they would sound like - I think I expected cheesier Brit-pop, since I know there’s a lot of that on this list. What I got instead was dark, angry, hardcore punk with great melodies and vocals. Exactly my type of thing. In my head I was debating between giving this a 4 or a 5 but hell, this project is about celebrating new music and expanding your horizons, and I KNOW I’m going to listen to this album again. So five stars it is!

Far exceeded expectations, this is some great and catchy punk/rock music.

I had never heard of this before. I thought it was great!

Have I ever heard a bad song by the Manic Street Preachers? Probably not. Everything Must Go and This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours are pretty much perfect in my humble little opinion, so I’m excited to hear this record. I don’t think I recognise and track titles here, but we’ll soon find out. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Faster, PCP As expected, this album is brilliant. There is so much energy gushing into my ears, while still being able to hold my attention when the softer tracks come. The vocals are the main delight here, and it’s rare that I say that as I usually tune more into the instrumentation. He sings with such passion and hits notes that he makes sound easy. The instrumentation is still great and interesting, but by Jove I do love his voice.

Completely beyond surprised by how much I loved this. The influences of metal, punk, and goth all come together to create a perfectly balanced album, flowing from the chromatic riffage of metal to the rapid power chords of punk and the quiet emotion of goth. Many songs make clever use of guitar and vocal effects and digital recording techniques, while others stick to the classic sounds of punk. The lyrical content is deep while not seeming too pretentious or naïve. I loved each song more than the last and wanted to relisten to the album later the same day.

5. Love Manic Street Preachers!

I understand that Richey Edwards looms large over this record, in fact that’s all I knew about this band or album. And since I find almost every lyric unintelligible, my ignorant ears would never have been aware of the songs’ subject matter if I hadn’t read how dark the themes were. Without the accompanying knowledge of the lyrics, the music was anything but despondent and upsetting. “Yes” is an all time album opener and it took me 5 tries to get past the first 4 tracks on the album because of how much I wanted to relisten to them. “She is Suffering” sounded so much like a Brett Anderson/Bernard Butler song that I looked up if Suede and the Manics had any affiliation and what do you know-they’re touring the UK in 2024 together.

I liked this a lot more than I expected and will be revisiting. This is right up my alley, with interesting lyrics and a few diverse tracks. Overall, a great pick.

An awful cover hides an intelligent and emotional bit of post punk meets metal. Absolutely brilliant. Will be exploring this discography.

A real masterpiece

"Archives of pain" has a sick guitar solo. "Revol" is an earworm. A blend of various rock subgenres. Amazing album in general.

5/5

Perfect😭😭😭

Absolute classic. An unmatchably bleak anti-Britpop album

This is the stuff you play when you’re fucking sick of the world and everything around it. Love it. Lyrics are deep and very interesting, good vibes as well. Praise Richy!

Amazing album, very diverse styles and compelling melodies and rhythms. I haven't even dived into the lyrics, but it's musically excellent.

My new favorite band that i've never heard of wow what a revelation from a time in which music was my life as a thirteen year old

"The Holy Bible" is the third studio album by the Welsh alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers. The band felt their first two albums were too hard rock-based and went back to Magazine, Wire, Gang of Four, Joy Division and Siouxsie and the Banshees for inspiration. I did hear that angular Gang of Four guitar on several songs. The album was recorded while lyricist/rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards was dealing with severe depression, self-harm and anorexia. It would be their last album released before Edward's disappearance (he was presumed dead in 2008). In general terms, the theme and lyrics deal with politics and human suffering. Although not considered a commercial success at the time, it did hit #6 on the UK charts. The album did receive widespread critical acclaim and NME also ranked it #1 on the Darkest Albums Ever List. Dialogue from a 1993 prostitution documentary open up "Yes." An easy, post-punk guitar comes shortly after, the band kicks in and the songs rocks from then on. A pop feel. Catchy guitar riff. The lyrics about prostitution and probably selling yourself out. The third and final single "She Is Suffering" is slower, darker. The soft-loud-soft dynamic. Lead singer James Dean Bradfield screaming; he does that throughout this album. The "She" is desire. The second single "Revol" begins with eerie guitar then like most of these songs kicks in hard. This is more hard rock and guitar forward. Dramatic. Great vocal chorus. The lead single "Faster" has layered guitars and catchy vocal and guitar choruses again and is almost danceable. About self abuse. "This is Yesterday" is slower and another song with a great guitar melody. A dark Cure bass line opens the album closer "PCP." This is fast, sped up. I'd almost say power pop and not far off from 80's metal pop. Commenting on political correctiveness and hypocrisy. Yes, if you dig deep enough you will find very dark lyrics but Bradford delivers the lyrics in such a sped-up, screaming fashion, they come across as more energetic. The music rocks: totally post-punk, catchy, melodic. This is a great sounding album.

I came to MSP through Everything Must Go and it took me a while to get into the raw earlier songs - this is a big transition album from that early punk to mainstream rock, and is phenomenal. Just pretentious enough.

This album cranks it, lyrically and musically from start to end. If you weren't paying attention to the lyrics you would even think this album is just a bunch of fun. I'll be happily returning to it later. Very impressive for 1994, considering a lot of grunge/garage rock was out at the time, that this stands out as it's own thing. Score: 90 Art: 80

This album is one of favourite albums in fact I would rank in my top 20. Not quite the same without Richie

Album Emo pro amlo. Avoid.

I liked this, was heavier and lyrically very dark. Really interesting album

Quite difficult to listen to this, knowing what happened afterwards. It still sounds good and Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayit'sworldwouldfallapart is still just about the most accurate song title ever written. Except for the apostrophe, obviously!

A hidden gem of the early 90s, buried amongst Britpop no doubt. The bass and lead guitars are great.

I was expecting another boring art piece album when I saw the cover but was pleasantly surprised. Pretty rocking album and the weirdness of the band members disappearance made for an interesting read while enjoying the album.

Quite a striking album. As that extremely passionate and pretty convincing review from the hardcore fan of Manic Street Preachers topping this section puts it, it's not always an easy ride or even a pleasant listen, but the record sure has its share of memorable moments. Just like its cover, this LP comes off as uncompromising art with disturbing yet also fascinating features. It's still poppy and melodic as far as rock albums generally go, oddly enough, especially in its first half, thanks to earworms "She Is Suffering", "Revol" or "Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforoneday...". But it's also so "angular" that you feel like you might get pricked just listening to most those songs. Like some sort of British version of early Green Day, only far more political and provocative. And, indeed, the lyrical contents of the album feel like a testament documenting the obsessions of Richey Edwards during his last days on this earth. He didn't sing his own lyrics, James Dean Bradfield sang them instead. But his ghost ominously looms over the proceedings here. Stylistically speaking, not everything in the album aged gracefully, though. But it's still a *huge* improvement compared to the band's hackneyed, immature hard rock -inspired debut. After Edwards's disappearance, Manic Street Preachers would reinvent themselves as an even more melodic and streamlined britpop act -- still exploring the same leftist agenda, fortunately, but with various results musically and artistically speaking (from the overrated *This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours* -- whose very catchy singles belied the actual drowsy -- and even at times inert -- contents of the album, to the more exciting *Everything Must Go* and *Know Your Enemy* bookending that particular letdown). But I guess all of this is a story for another time, kiddies... 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 4. 8.5 for more general purposes (5 + 3.5) Number of albums left to review: 15 (plus the 80-ish extra LPs listed on this app, included because different past versions of the book have mentioned albums that have since been dropped in subsequent editions) Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 423 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 253 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 313

A great album. Enjoyed it since first hearing ‘Yes’ 12 years ago. Yes, ifwhiteamerica, walking abortion, archives of pain, 4st 7lb, mausoleum, intense humming all have powerful poignant lyrics and the sound is a good embodiment of British rock.

fantastic