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Floodland

Sisters Of Mercy

1987

Buy At Rough Trade
Floodland
Album Summary

Floodland is the second studio album by English gothic rock band the Sisters of Mercy. It was released on 16 November 1987, through Merciful Release internationally and distributed by WEA, with Elektra Records handling the United States release. After the release of the band's debut studio album, First and Last and Always (1985), members Craig Adams and Wayne Hussey left to form the Mission, causing the dissolution of the Sisters of Mercy. As a result, band frontman Andrew Eldritch formed a side project known as the Sisterhood, recording new material with them. After the project's first album was received negatively overall, he went back to recording as part of the Sisters of Mercy and hired the Sisterhood member Patricia Morrison for the recording of a new album. Eldritch wrote the songs of Floodland in Hamburg; the city's large amount of water influenced its title as well as the recurring lyrical theme of water. He then called upon Larry Alexander to produce the album with him and Jim Steinman to produce the songs "Dominion" / "Mother Russia" and "This Corrosion". Recording sessions began at Power Station Studios in New York City during January 1987 and carried on throughout the first half of the year at Strawberry Studios in Stockport and The Wool Hall in Bath. Eldritch served as the vocalist, performed all instruments, and programmed the band's drum machine, "Doktor Avalanche". The drum machine acted as the drum player; Morrison did not contribute to the album despite being a member of the Sisters of Mercy. In contrast to First and Last and Always, Floodland was created in a less conventional way, being pieced together on computers using sequencers. The music incorporates the genres of gothic rock and dark wave, while the lyrical content sees Eldritch cast as the observer of a slowly deteriorating world. Some of the events that inspired certain songs include the Chernobyl disaster, the Cold War, and the band's previous breakup. The singles "This Corrosion", "Dominion", and "Lucretia My Reflection" were released in promotion. "This Corrosion" peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, while "Dominion" and "Lucretia My Reflection" peaked at number 13 and 20, respectively. Floodland debuted on the UK Albums Chart at number 9, later being certified gold in UK by the BPI for selling 100,000 copies. It also reached the top 40 in other European countries, including Switzerland. Despite initially receiving mixed reviews from music critics, Floodland has retrospectively received praise and been considered a seminal gothic rock album by several critics.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.02

Votes

10005
Genres
Rock

Reviews

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Fri Mar 19 2021
4

man, this thing is just THE 80s: reverb drums - CHECK trashcontainer drum - CHECK guitar chorused out of reasonability - CHECK flanger - CHECK epic synths - CHECK midi ballad - CHECK song composed almost entirely out of the weird percussion section sounds of a digital synth - CHECK verse is just chorus but quieter - CHECK "the wind blows wild" - CHECK I mean, EVERYTHING mother russia/10

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Thu Oct 20 2022
3

I don't think anything can say it better than this review I saw: "Meatloaf joining The Cure for a remake of Lou Reed's Berlin."

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Sun Sep 18 2022
1

New Wave Dracula doesn’t suck blood, he just sucks.

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Wed May 19 2021
4

Whoa, I've actually heard one of these songs before! A radio cut of Dominion got a lot of play on my hometown rock station in the 90s. The kind of play that makes you think these dudes made exactly one good song and made knowing the name of the artist useful literally only for pub trivia purposes. Pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed the whole album. It scratched a dark, almost gothy rock itch that hadn't been scratched since I last hung out in the garage listening to the radio with my dad while he drank Buds and worked on his motorcycle.

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Wed Jul 21 2021
4

Loved this so much I dyed my eyebrows black. It’s a good look! For real though, this was great. Now where’s a Type-0 Negative album on this list???

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Wed Oct 13 2021
4

Really liked this, very 80s hints of Depeche Mode and darker goth music but also driving rock songs like 'This Corrosion' which wouldn't be out of place on a Fleetwood Mac album. Some songs maybe went on a bit longer than needed but they were clearly having a lot of fun. Bonus points for the very 80s sax solo on the album opener

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Thu Jun 03 2021
5

i knew this album at the time, though not that well. i remembered loving some tracks, but didn't know others at all. on the whole, i loved this one, especially This Corrosion, which just burns

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Fri Jun 11 2021
5

Goths are wonderful from a distance

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Tue Jun 01 2021
5

Loved it. I have not waded much into goth-rock/new wave/post-punk but this was great. Though the instrumentation was simple, it was very effective. The music features a strong backbeat, prominent bass, horror motifs, and typical new wave/post-punk vocal delivery. The overall result is a driving, pulsing music that is instantly likable and even danceable.

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Sun Mar 13 2022
5

I always thought of goths as boring people wearing a lot of make up bored with their own lives. Then emos came and they were much worse. But, hey! These are audiences, and we are here to discuss music, right? Right.  If I were to pick up an essential post punk band with really pessimistic sound and content, Joy Division would be that band. Still, this doesn't totally mean that I consider other bands in the dark/goth spectrum to be derivative, mind. I really love some of them, from Christian Death to Fields Of The Nephilim. I wasn't really familiar with the Sisters Of Mercy though. Lucretia My Reflection, Dominion, and the mighty This Corrosion (which I am sure I already heard in the past) were singles, and they were great. As a whole, the album really sounds huge, with all those busy, upfront bass lines and insisting drumming, a lot of female backing vocals, even some choir (a 40 piece one on This Corrosion), but never feeling overcharged. 1959 with only piano and voice fills up the room effortlessly. On Flood II there is an acoustic guitar along with the synths and the aforementioned, very effective rhythm section, and the whole thing comes out from the speakers as if it was a roaring monster. I could go on and mention all the songs in here, as there is no filler really. All I can say is that I need this record in my collection. A masterpiece. 

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Fri Oct 14 2022
5

This is honesty the moody, gloomy, late 80s goth-rock I never knew I needed. First Listen?: Y Fav. Track(s): Flood I, Lucretia My Reflection, This Corrosion Rating: 4.7/5

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Fri Jan 20 2023
5

andrew eldritch: we're not a goths also andrew eldritch: "dance the ghost with me"

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Mon Sep 04 2023
5

Well this is dark, moody and sexual. It's kind of like Type O Negative without the fun. There is a sort of optimism to it though that I find surprising from behind the black-clad, heavy eyelined Generation X cynical delivery. By the time Flood II comes around, I think I'm fully invested. I am Gen X, so that might have something to do with it. I can easily imagine swaying awkwardly (but rhythmically) to this at Slimelight, probably while drinking a pint of snakebite and black from a plastic cup, while impossibly beautiful girls in corsets and lace writhe around me. God damn it, this album is actually good, isn't it?

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Sun Jan 10 2021
4

Leans into its darkwave cliches, but I'm weak to them. There's a greater-than-average amount of variation in the tracklist, too. Sprawling and short, quiet and loud.

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Thu Feb 18 2021
4

A good combination of energy and just general moodiness. I liked it. Good for exercise too.

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Thu Oct 01 2020
4

Makes me want to dress in all black and go to a rave. Or at least play Vampires: The Masquerade. Lead singer reminds me of Peter Steele from Type O Negative. Favorite tracks: "Dominion/Mother Russia", "This Corrosion"

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Thu May 20 2021
4

I can't say that I've ever really listened to a goth album before, so I don't have a lot of genre context for this. I'll say having listened to most of the album that while this is not particularly my kind of music, it is well done. I like the vocal production and how male and female voices get blended together over squealing metal guitars. 4/5

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Thu Jun 24 2021
4

What!!! No Temple of Love??? I guess that would have bee asking too much. Still there are some real Goth/Wave anthems like "This Corrosion" (especially), "Lucretia My Reflection" and "Dominion". It's monotonous and contrived, but I'm giving it an extra point due to the fact that one guy wrote the songs, sang lead and played every instrument. The choir was a nice touch too.

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Fri Oct 14 2022
4

Pomp goth! Always loved this album. It's hilariously overblown and you just know Eldritch is in on the joke.

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Sun Jun 27 2021
3

3.3 - An unusual sound, combining baritone vocals, gothic choir, electronic percussion, synthesizer and some guitar. A mix between Depeche Mode and “Scary Monsters”, and forward thinking enough to seem to also usher in the sound for both. Dark and atmospheric, often pretentious. “The Corrosion is a standout.

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Thu Jun 24 2021
2

When it comes to the Goth/dance sound this pales in comparison to the Cure and New Order. I found the vocals annoying and the drums way too amped. Not a fan.

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Tue Jul 06 2021
2

Dated drums right out the gate. I guess this is Proto-industrial, so that’s why it’s “important.” The voice is cool, dark, driving but I can’t get over the dated effects. There were some shining moments where I heard Bowie and Echo and the Bunnymen. But, overall, blah. 2.

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Wed Jan 24 2024
2

Pixies obviously ripped off the third track on this (Lucretia My Reflection AKA a Pretentious Erection) for their Doolittle track Tame. I could picture the singer singing these songs in his bedroom wearing a cape while mashing the drum machine buttons. Turning around and hissing when he hears his parents calling him down for dinner. Baby, when I tell you I hated this one ya gotta believe me.

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Thu Nov 19 2020
5

Sweet album. Cool dark and mellow sound, great vocals, and a steady flow from one track to the next.

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Mon Jul 05 2021
5

Electrónica gótica. Está bien. Dudaba entre 4 o 5, pero, venga, un 5

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Fri Mar 05 2021
5

Used to listen to this album loads when I was younger, love it!

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Sat May 22 2021
5

The pinnacle of goth darkwave club-core. Put this on, and I'm already wearing black and hitting the dance floor. Instantly catchy, moody goth jams. Perfect!

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Sat Dec 11 2021
5

I fucking love this album. It's amazing that they did so much with such a minimal approach. Just last night I was drunk and trying to get my mates to love Lucretia my reflection as much as I do, so this is fitting. 5/5.

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Thu Jan 27 2022
5

This was a fantastic goth album. I will definitely explore the genre now.

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Fri May 06 2022
5

Had never heard of these guys...was sort of expecting something adjacent to Leonard Cohen's song "Sisters of Mercy". This is not that. This album is right up my alley, though. Many of these songs, like "1959", and "The Corrsion" (while very different from each other) have a "Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds meet the Talking Heads" vibe, which I love. Okay, album over, and this is the first full album that I've immediately added to my Spotify list. 5/5.

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Mon May 23 2022
5

Love the way the tracks merge into one another, perfectly executed.

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Mon Jun 06 2022
5

I enjoyed this one a lot. In general, I'm not all that big on gothic rock or metal. But this one really hit all the right spots as the perfect mix of dark new wave in the vein of The Cure, classic rock and the emerging gothic scene. The production was fantastic as well.

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Sun Sep 25 2022
5

This is incredible. Once I got used to the vocals and 80s sound, I was absolutely rocking. Not one that I probably ever would have even thought to try based on my current preferences, but unbelievably glad I did. I could see myself revisiting certain moments on this album very regularly. Hoping this might be a gateway into me appreciating a different style of music.

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Tue Sep 27 2022
5

Those who get it, get it! I was very excited to see an album I know inside and out. As a kid to Gen X parents who loved the Sisters of Mercy, this is one of my favorite albums that I was introduced to. It's definitely not for everyone, though, as the icy gothic sound is present FULL force. This album contains many of the Sisters' best tracks. There is not one that I skip. The album is cohesive and I have always loved the pair of "Flood" songs, giving the impression of a cinematic reprise. Lucretia My Reflection has a simple but iconic baseline all throughout. This Corrosion delves into the band's more pop, dance-oriented side with powerful choral accents. The last two songs are slower and sparse and I'd give them a shot even if you don't like the rest of the songs. I'd recommend their first album for those who would prefer a less dramatic sound from the Sisters. "Goth" cult classic. 5 stars!

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Mon Oct 03 2022
5

Sister of Mercy's debut album is better of course so should have been on the list (as well). .. but Floodland has built up some status over the years and led to a massive number of copycat groups until even nowadays. So seems fine to be included in the list. It is practically a 1-person project and I much like how consistent it is in every aspect. Songs are all 4-5 star. Production is fantastic so clearly 5 star overall.

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Thu Oct 13 2022
5

Firmly placed in the eighties, propelled along by the insistent drum machine and synth sound, here is a moody, gothic, new wave classic. The tracks are catchy, Eldritch is a charismatic front man and the topics are spiky and angular. In lesser hands, the project would seem overblown and pompous but there’s an integrity and consistency throughout which the sisters completely pull off. I was thrilled to find this record and my re-evaluation of eighties music continues.

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Wed Oct 26 2022
5

Can’t go wrong with these crazy hippies

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Mon Nov 21 2022
5

Electrónica gótica. Está bien. Dudaba entre 4 o 5, pero, venga, un 5

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Fri Dec 02 2022
5

Отличный альбом!

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Wed Dec 07 2022
5

Goth as hell, some real bangers

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Fri Dec 16 2022
5

Dark evil new wavey awesomeness 5/5.

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Fri Jan 20 2023
5

Classic of the genre. End of.

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Thu Mar 16 2023
5

Mag die anderen Alben lieber, aber still good

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Thu Jun 01 2023
5

An amazing album, 'Dominion / Mother Russia,' 'Lucretia My Reflection' & 'This Corrosion' are fantastic tracks!!

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Tue Jun 06 2023
5

I knew a little Sisters of Mercy but had never dove into a complete record and wow I feel I have missed out all these years. This one was great end to end - big towering doom-laden songs with a tinge of industrial due to the drum machines. The pace is good, the length is good and w every song has its place. I also have learnt how to nail the description of the band to the uninitiated - kind of the Cure as if sung by Bowie.

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Wed Jun 07 2023
5

Suddenly I am wearing all black and eyeliner. Standouts: all 46 minutes. And the album artwork. “This Corrosion.” 5/5.

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Wed Jun 07 2023
5

gothic and very atmospheric. it's a f'kin masterpiece.

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Thu Aug 10 2023
5

Surprisingly brilliant. Looked like the sort of thing I’d hate but genuinely loved it.

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Sun Oct 01 2023
5

I love Sister of mercy. Takes me back to my goth phase. I really like this album and it still sounds fresh but my very favorite is First and Last and Always. i can still remember the first time i heard it and being blown away by the whole vibe

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Wed Nov 08 2023
5

HELL YEAH! This album hits the sweet spot of gothic rock for me. The opening track is SO good... I may have heard it back in the day but I don't remember it now. Dominion/Mother Russia is where goth rock and I perfectly align! Give me that driving beat and lyrics of doom! Lucretia My Reflection, This Corrosion and Flood II also were particular favorites. The other songs were enjoyable if not quite as immediately grabby - this album is a special dark treat! I'm not sure if The Sisters of Mercy are new to me or something I've forgotten, but whatever they are they are terrific! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to pop off to touch up my black mascara.

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Wed Nov 08 2023
5

I've listened to SoM before and was ready to give this a "fine but not my thing, 3*" review. But I loved every minute and started it over for a second run almost immediately. It's so good!

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Wed Nov 08 2023
5

Oh, boy, this took me back to college, which was when it came out. I never had this album myself, but this was music that was all around me then. Gothic dance party! Electronic, grim, and with a good beat! It makes me laugh a little, but I love it so much!

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Fri Nov 10 2023
5

The Sisters of Mercy have been an object lesson to me in the subjectivity of musical appreciation and the power of branding and creating a mood. I first became aware of them in t-shirt form - they were a popular garment choice among the too-cool-to-approach teenagers I longed to emulate as a pre-teen, second only to Iron Maiden! Because of this, I was primed to be receptive to them, and sure enough, loved what I heard and had them in regular rotation throughout what was otherwise a nowt-but-metal phase. For decades, actually, I had a blanket grudge against poppy music in general, and 80s music in particular - insisting almost nothing good came out of that decade. Continued to love Sisters of Mercy with not a hint of self awareness. All I could hear was the "goth" - it lived in a special little cocoon of fondness, detached from everything else. A couple of years ago I was introducing someone to the idea of gothic as a genre, and played them "A Slight Case of Overbombing" (Which should really be on this list instead of this album, btw - “Under the Gun” and “Temple of Love” aren't on any albums and they are the _absolute peak_ of Sisters' power, and c'mon, Robert Dimery isn't opposed to chucking a compilation on the list when it suits him) and wow, hearing the music through someone else's ears, not having that "goth" preconception shaping my perceptions, I suddenly heard just how damn poppy they were - and how _ridiculously_ 80s their sound is! 😆 Anyway, a strong five stars! Fave tracks - "Dominion/Mother Russia", "Lucretia My Reflection", "This Corrosion" are all absolute monster choons! HEY NOW, HEY NOW NOW!

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Fri Nov 10 2023
5

There's been quite a few bands on this list that, during my formative years, my friends were all into but I was mostly just aware of. Today I was trying to figure out why that was the case, well simply I was poor and couldn't go out and buy every damn CD of every band that piqued my interest. Nowadays with access to just about everything I'm gaining a new appreciate for these bands and Sisters Of Mercy is certainly one of them. Every week my friends and I would go to this club in the city and every week they would play This Corrosion and man does this album bring back some memories. Fave tracks Dominion / Mother Russia, Lucretia My Reflection, and of course This Corrosion.

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Thu Nov 16 2023
5

I was in the perfect mood for this today. Spectacular!

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Mon Nov 20 2023
5

9/10 wonderful gothy atmosphere I absolutely adore this shit

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Sun Dec 10 2023
5

Another album I can't believe I've never listened to before. This was an important release at the time and, although it probably hasn't aged well in some respects, it's quite staggering how many contemporary bands are still using the basic formula found here. This brings me back to the late 80s, dancing in goth-rock clubs with a dispassionate face, dressed all in black, jerky movements, attitude and lack of any sign of enjoyment essential. Looking back, it's now obvious that there wasn't really much new here. It's just a repackaging of other post-punk material from the late 70s, with a drum machine and some dark wave thrown in for good measure. However, there's not a single bit of filler here and some absolute stonking tracks mingled in at just the right places. If they had added Temple of Love, then this would be perfection, but as it is, it's close enough for a full 5 stars.

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Wed Dec 20 2023
5

This one surprised me. I enjoyed every song very much and can’t believe I have never heard of this album.

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Thu Dec 21 2023
5

This is 19-year-old me in a nutshell. I had it on repeat. I loved their first album too. I went clubbing every weekend where i danced to This Corrosion and Dominion wearing a lot of black. My best friend bought me this album for Christmas- it holds so many fabulous memories. And when it came up I put it on repeat and I’m still not sick of singing Dominion with four syllables.

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Wed Jan 10 2024
5

This is definitely my vibe... dark, brooding, electronic... really like Andrew Eldritch's voice... has that Peter Murphy-like deep darkness. Definitely some fantastic tracks, This Corrosion and Dominion stand out, but even when the tempo varies, it is still interesting. Can listen to this over and over.

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Mon Jan 22 2024
5

This one is tough to rate because this was such a formative album for me. What the hell, five stars.

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Wed Feb 07 2024
5

Dark new wave vibes The Cure esque Never land *

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Wed Feb 07 2024
5

Electrónica gótica. Está bien. Dudaba entre 4 o 5, pero, venga, un 5.

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Thu Feb 08 2024
5

The Gothiest band who hates being called Goth. I still dance to these tunes thanks to my city being heavily into dark wave, new wave, synth pop & industrial since the 80s. Lucrative My Reflection & This Corrosion has been a staple at the clubs & always gets the bats on dance floor. What a wonderfully dark album. P.S. Patricia Morrison is a vampiric hottie 4.5 stars

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Sun Feb 18 2024
5

I LOVE goth rock. me and my homies love goth rock.

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Wed Mar 03 2021
4

When I read the genre ‘gothic rock’ I thought I’d not really enjoy it, but turns out it’s pretty cool. Similar to The Cure, and Flood II is uncannily similar to The Dandy Warhols’ “Boys Better”. Comfy resistors of the 80s trends

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Wed Jul 21 2021
4

That first track, 'Dominion/Mother Russia' is an absolute banger, and there are a couple of tracks who almost reach those heights. The rest tends to slip back into fairly nondescript goth played on tinny synths and drum machines. At least the warbled singing keeps things interesting

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Wed May 26 2021
4

Gótico y épico, suena a años ochenta en el buen sentido. Rozando la New Wave pero apoyándose en cajas de ritmos. Retrotae a un sábado de invierno por la mañana viendo La Bola de Cristal en casa de mi abuela, ese es el sonido. Buen disco que, además, se hace corto sin serlo.

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Thu Apr 01 2021
4

This may be the first emo sounding band I’ve ever immediately enjoyed. This record was truly something I’d never felt before. Only a few slow sections. Favorite Track : Dominion / Mother Russia Least Favorite Track : 1959

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Fri May 14 2021
4

I'm not sure what I'm listening to but... I like it? Hard to hear what's being said because the vocals are whispers and the instruments are loud, but still strangely enjoyable.

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Mon Jun 21 2021
4

Lucretia my Reflection is always a stand out for me. Big fan of this band. But to be fair, I haven't listened to them nearly as much as I would like to have. I don't have any super insightful takes on this. It sounds old, which to be honest isn't a bad thing in the case of this album. I think it works for it, Makes me want to wear sunglasses in the moonlight like Andrew Eldritch on the album cover. Which is hilarious to me. it's a fun listen.

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Sat Sep 04 2021
4

This is a really good album frankly I don't know why I slept on it for so long. It's right in my 80s alternative wheelhouse. Starts out with a huge bang with the opener Dominion / Mother Russia. After the slow-burn of Flood I, Lucrative My Reflection picks up the pace with a driving bass that just won't quite. And this Corrosion presents itself as the centrepiece of a fine album. 4 🌟

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Wed Sep 29 2021
4

operatic goth rock. great drum programming, huge production stage.

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Sun Oct 10 2021
4

Really enjoyed it. A new band to me.

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Fri Oct 15 2021
4

Love it. Also enjoyed reading about the evolution of Doktor Avalanche: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doktor_Avalanche

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Thu Nov 04 2021
4

Never heard of this album/group. First impression on seeing the cover: "Looks like three wolf moon... this is going to bad". Then I read this was an 80's goth/dark wave record and I was prepped for the worst... But I actually really enjoyed this record. I actually haven't listened to much "goth" or "dark wave" music. Maybe I should. There is some heavy use of 80's synths and production here... but this is not your top 40's cheezy 80's music. This is music for outsiders. Can hear the post-punk roots in this. Pretty cool record.

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Wed Nov 10 2021
4

Classic gothic rock is strange. I dig it.

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Sun Nov 21 2021
4

Not at all what I expected and really good. The album that has really surprised me most 50 into this exercise. Will definitely check out more Sisters of Mercy.

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Thu Dec 02 2021
4

I always assumed 80s goth rock would be cheesy (the album cover didn't help), but this was quite good.

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