CHRISTIAN DEATH AMERICAN INQUISITION ALBUM SEASON OF MIST RELEASE: OCTOBER 15, 2007 REVIEW: NOVEMBER 8, 2007

This thing is a fine example of bandwagon jumping. Six years too late. Valor and whoever chooses to assist him in his continual degradation of the Christian Death name have given us a September 11 2001 conspiracy theory "concept" album. As an American I find his fumbling and obtuse exploitation of those who died offensive in every possible way. Way to rake such tragedy over the coals yet again. Add to this that without Rozz Williams, there is no Christian Death.

This is a commonly known fact. Despite what the press release states, Williams was never a member of Pompeii 99. Mr. Valor was drafted in as a replacement guitarist along with Gitane Demone as some of the original members had by 1983 left the band. That anyone would still insist on perpetuating the joke that this band is astounds me.

This is bad bad metal with piss poor production qualities. We haven't even gotten to just how bad Valor's lyrics are, or rather, what an obviously juvenile audience his simple minded attempts at "controversy" will attract. Take heed all fans of the true Christian Death, this is just another odious entry which further defiles the legacy of a truly pioneering outfit.

Song after song on "American Inquisition" drags on and on and on and on. It is as though any attempt at creativity only leads to rank and file by the numbers headbanging metal. It must truly be a drag to never realise any true vision or artistic spark. To know that you require a dead man's legacy for anyone to even bother paying attention to what you do, a legacy you have no right to use by the way. Sin and sacrifice indeed.

PETER MARKS