The Damned "Phantasmagoria" 1985 + "Grimly Fiendish" 1985 - 12"/EP

Timeless Fiendish Fun!I'm a punk fan and while I think The Damned's self-titled debut and Machine Gun Etiquette are great punk rock records, I prefer their more melodic, darker goth-tinged side. This album picks up where Strawberries left off(also a must have Damned album)with Dave Vanian's vocals at their peak, dramatic and melodic. This album has a heavier synth/piano use than Strawberries, and that record had a lot! There is also some sax on here which works so well, see Street of Dreams. The guitars are more relaxed and swirly on this album with warm, lush effects...almost a Cure-ish sound going on here. The bass is low and thundering, but still very prominent which is good. Like I sad the keys rule on this record, making this album more dramatic and epic in sound. Phantasmagoria has a huge 80's sound mainly from the synth effects and thats another reason I dig this album(I mean it WAS 1985). So strange this is only an import and not an easy find in stores. It is quite a good album with memorable songs. I think the reason I prefer this album and strawberries over the earlier punk albums is that The Damned's music became more layered and complex with a wider variety of instrumentation. This record represents the band coming full circle with the sound they were meant to have. Highlights include Shadow of Love, with the dark, low haunting vocals and driving bass...Is It A Dream is catchy and very 80's but good. Buy this cd if you like melodic dark rock with synths. P.S. Your girlfriend will love this album. Reviewer: EerieVonEvil (The Rabbit Hole)The Damned:
Dave Vanian (vocals); Roman Jugg (guitars, keyboards, vocals); Bryn Merrick (bass, vocals); Rat Scabies (drums). Producers: The Damned, Bob Sargeant, Jon Kelly

traxfromwax:
1. Street of Dreams 2. Shadow of Love 3. There'll Come a Day 4. Sanctum Sanctorum 5. Is It a Dream? 6. Grimly Fiendish 7. Edward the Bear 8. Eight Day 9. Trojans

"Grimly Fiendish" 1985 - 12"/45rpm
The band had been offered a deal by a major label, MCA, and moved further in the direction of goth music under the influence of guitarist/keyboardist Roman Jugg and vocalist Dave Vanian. Given a substantial promotional budget, including a video directed by Jonathon Gershfield, two separate 12" releases (each featuring a different remix of "Grimly Fiendish") and several limited edition 7" variants, the song was the band's biggest hit since 1979, reaching No. 21 in the UK Singles Chart in April 1985. MCA also issued the single in Germany, Australia and Italy.

trax:
01 Grimly Fiendish (Spic'N'Span Mix) 02 Edward The Bear