Manic Street Preachers - Disc of the day

Manic Street Preachers
The Holy Bible

(Epic, 1994)

Kids in South Wales are killing themselves. Somehow, it’s all in here.

Thirteen years after its original release, the spectre of lyricist/guitarist Richey Edwards still hangs heavy over The Holy Bible. Blistered by agonised clamours and ‘fuck everything’ abandon, The Manics’ third record is a bleak, putrid collection of thrash-rock nasties that retains every iota of menace. Edwards’ lyrics are terrifying, emanating unfiltered from an increasingly troubled mind and lifting the veil on taboo topics including anorexia (4st 7lb), the holocaust (The Intense Humming Of Evil) and serial killing (Archives Of Pain), before turning on himself: ‘Scratch my leg with a rusty nail/Sadly it heals’, he despairs during Die In The Summertime. His childhood companion, James Dean Bradfield, manages to crush the words into raging songs that only relent for the odd plangent guitar arpeggio. Add the iconic artwork, flesh-tearing vocals and the knowledge that a shroud of darkness would soon fall on the band (Edwards disappeared just six months after the record hit the shelves), and you’re left with a chilling artefact of unparalleled poignancy.

Ross Bennett

Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 6:00 AM GMT 15/03/2008

Further Listening

Joy Division – Closer (Factory, 1980)

Manic Street Preachers – Generation Terrorists (Columbia, 1992)

Nirvana – In Utero (DGC, 1993)

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A dark but brave record. There are some that would say that the band peaked with this album. In one sense, they did (it is the best of the albums made by the four piece Manics). This is the sound of people with their backs to the wall who are still defiant and WILL be heard. And this album should be heard by anyone who believes that music can be more than just a form of entertainment.

On a slightly related note, am I the only person who thought that the Manics album "Lifeblood" was brilliant? Both "Lifeblood" and "The Holy Bible" are my two favourite albums made by my favourite band - and they are both like two sides of the same coin. "The Holy Bible" is a loud, raging monster while "Lifeblood" is quieter but steeped in regret. I find both to be highly charged emotionally. And that's why I love them.

Anyone else?

Posted by Andrew Marsden at 2:49 PM GMT 13/04/2008 Report Abuse

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