Type O Negative - Bloody Kisses
Emerging from the remnants of the controversial hardcore band Carnivore, Type O Negative, led by the imposing and darkly charismatic Peter Steele, forged a unique path with their 1993 breakthrough album, Bloody Kisses. It was a potent and unconventional blend of gothic atmosphere, doom metal heaviness, Beatles-esque melodies, industrial textures, and Steele's signature sardonic, self-deprecating humor. It sounded like nothing else.
Gothic Metal Romance
Bloody Kisses largely shed the thrashier elements of earlier work, leaning heavily into a sound often dubbed "gothic metal." Peter Steele's deep, vampiric baritone vocals became the centerpiece, delivering tales of love, loss, sex, death, and religious skepticism with a mix of romanticism and black humor. Kenny Hickey's heavily distorted, feedback-drenched guitar riffs provided the crushing weight, while Josh Silver's keyboards added layers of church organ, synth strings, and eerie soundscapes, crucial to the band's gothic atmosphere. Johnny Kelly's drumming provided both powerful grooves and subtle dynamics.
The album masterfully balanced heavy, grinding dirges with moments of surprising melodic beauty. Steele's love for classic rock and pop sensibilities shone through, creating hooks that were often buried beneath layers of fuzz and gloom, but undeniably catchy.
Dark Hits and Deep Cuts
The album spawned two unlikely MTV hits that brought Type O Negative to a wider audience. "Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)" was a nine-minute epic satirizing gothic clichés, driven by an infectious keyboard line and Steele's deep croon. The significantly edited single version became a goth club staple. "Christian Woman," another lengthy track exploring themes of religious ecstasy and sexual desire, was also edited for radio and video play, its combination of heavy riffs and ethereal passages proving surprisingly popular.
Beyond the singles, Bloody Kisses offered a wealth of dark delights. The title track is a lush, romantic goth ballad. "Too Late: Frozen" is pure doom metal despair. Interludes like "Fay Wray Come Out and Play" and song titles like "We Hate Everyone" showcased the band's B-movie horror influences and bleak sense of humor. The cover of Seals and Crofts' "Summer Breeze" was transformed into a heavy, eerie dirge, perfectly encapsulating the Type O Negative aesthetic.
A Unique Legacy
Bloody Kisses became Roadrunner Records' first platinum-selling album, proving there was a significant audience for Type O Negative's unique brand of heavy, atmospheric, and darkly humorous music. It cemented their status as goth metal pioneers and influenced countless bands that followed.
It remains a landmark album, a perfect synthesis of heavy riffs, gothic romance, and Peter Steele's inimitable personality. Deep, dark, and surprisingly funny – a true original.