Sisters Of Mercy

The Sisters of Mercy formed in Leeds, England, in 1980, founded by Gary Marx and Andrew Eldritch with the intention of gaining radio recognition. The band’s early years saw several line-up changes, with Eldritch eventually focusing on vocals while incorporating a drum machine, ‘Doktor Avalanche,’ a constant member throughout the band’s history. Early singles like ‘Damage Done’ (1980) and ‘Body Electric’ (1982) garnered underground fame and regularly appeared in UK independent charts. Their live performances became known for unique cover versions, including medleys of songs by The Velvet Underground, Suicide, and Richard Berry. In late 1983, after the success of their single ‘Temple of Love,’ The Sisters of Mercy signed with WEA, a major record label.

The period from 1984 to 1985 saw the release of their debut full-length album, ‘First and Last and Always,’ in collaboration with producer David M. Allen. This album solidified their cult status, despite growing internal tensions that led to Gary Marx’s departure mid-tour. The band concluded this phase with a final performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Following a dispute over the band name with former members who formed ‘The Mission,’ Eldritch released ‘Floodland’ (1987) and ‘Vision Thing’ (1990), both recorded with different line-ups. These albums featured tracks like ‘This Corrosion,’ produced by Jim Steinman, and ‘More,’ which continued their commercial success and showcased an evolution in their sound from atmospheric rock to guitar-oriented rock. A controversial North American tour in 1991 with Public Enemy was canceled, further straining Eldritch’s relationship with their record company, EastWest.

From 1993 onwards, The Sisters of Mercy entered a period Eldritch termed a ‘strike against EastWest,’ halting new record releases due to contractual disputes. The contract was eventually terminated in 1997 after Eldritch submitted unreleased material under the name SSV. Despite the lack of new studio albums, the band has maintained an active touring schedule, performing new and unreleased music live. Guitarists Chris Catalyst and Ben Christo joined in 2005 and 2006, respectively, contributing to extensive world tours. Recent years have seen further lineup changes and a continued focus on live performances and the development of new songs, reinforcing their enduring presence in the music scene without formal studio releases.