Blackacidevil

Untitled

Danzig 5: Blackacidevil (a play on the phrase "black as a devil") is the fifth full-length album from Danzig. It was released in 1996 on Hollywood Records, and was reissued on E-Magine Records in 2000 with three extra tracks and a new album cover by Martin Emond (see below).

The album is a landmark as the first Danzig album recorded after the demise of the "classic" lineup featuring John Christ, Eerie Von, and Chuck Biscuits; only the band's leader, songwriter / vocalist Glenn Danzig remained, joined by drummer Joey Castillo, who had joined the band late in 1994 after Biscuits' departure. Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) plays guitar on tracks 3, 7, and 8 (tracks 3, 8, and 9 of the reissue). Aside from the contributions of Castillo and Cantrell, Danzig himself plays nearly all the instruments on the remainder of the album.

Blackacidevil was widely criticized for its apparent shift from heavy metal to industrial rock, though Danzig himself has repeatedly downplayed such assessments, noting that the album draws on much more than just industrial influences. Some fans consider the change a blatant attempt at making a commercially accessible release, while others consider it a natural progression from the style of Danzig's earlier project, Samhain. The album was not well received by fans and only sold just over 100,000 copies[1].

E-Magine Music Reissue, February 2000

It is also the first album recorded after Danzig's departure from producer Rick Rubin's record label, American Recordings. In interviews Danzig has said that Rubin discouraged the more elaborate and experimental Samhain-style elements in the music, especially on the first two Danzig albums, which Rubin produced, in favor of a more traditional "stripped-down" heavy metal / rock style in the mould of AC/DC.

Besides the changes in lineup and musical direction, Blackacidevil's original release caused more controversy: Danzig's violent music and so-called Satanic imagery conflicted with the corporate image projected by Disney, the parent company of Danzig's new record label, Hollywood Records. Tower Records' Pulse Magazine created a mock radio advertisement and a cartoon drawing spoofing this odd relationship. The cartoon featured Glenn Danzig shaking hands with Disney CEO Michael Eisner at the entrance to "Danzigland" (instead of Disneyland). The two are surrounded by skulls, children wearing "666" T-shirts, a horned and fanged Mickey Mouse, etc. Perhaps not surprisingly, this was the only full-length Danzig release on the Hollywood Records label.

Track listing

(1996 original on Hollywood Records)

1. "7th House"
2. "Blackacidevil"
3. "See All You Were"
4. "Sacrifice"
5. "Hint of Her Blood"
6. "Serpentia"
7. "Come to Silver"
8. "Hand of Doom: version"
9. "Power of Darkness"
10. "Ashes"

Track listing

(2000 Evilive Records / E-Magine Music Reissue)

1. "7th House"
2. "Blackacidevil"
3. "See All You Were"
4. "Sacrifice"
5. "Hint of Her Blood"
6. "Deeper" - previously unreleased version of "Deep" from Songs in the Key of X
7. "Serpentia"
8. "Come to Silver"
9. "Hand of Doom: version"
10. "Bleedangel" - previously unreleased
11. "Power of Darkness"
12. "Ashes"
13. "Don't Be Afraid" - originally the B-side of the Sacrifice single

All songs written by Glenn Danzig. Original version of "Hand of Doom" by Black Sabbath with new lyrics and arrangements by Glenn Danzig.

Personnel

• Glenn Danzig - Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Keyboards
• Joey Castillo - Drums
• Joseph Bishara - Keyboards, Programming
• Jerry Cantrell - Guitars (on "See All You Were", "Come To Silver", & "Hand Of Doom")
• Mark Chaussee - Guitars (on "Sacrifice", "Serpentia")
• Josh Lazie - Bass (on "Sacrifice")

Production

• Producer: Glenn Danzig
• Engineers: Mike "Baumie" Baumgartner, Bill Kennedy

External link

• Official Website