Sisters Of Mercy – The Reptile House (1983)

December 2, 2024

The Reptile House is the second EP release from Sister of Mercy, at least chronologically, in early 1983. It is, truly, a masterpiece of dark rock, and reminds me of Killing Joke crossed with Christian Death. The sterile drum machine and prominent bass also reminds me of other dark 80s acts such as Big Black or even Swans (especially with the same baritone style vocals used by both bands) but whilst SOM is perhaps more sonically reserved than those weighty names, the atmosphere on Reptile House is not to be fucked with. Truly, this is proto-industrial goth music. How SOM are not more closely associated with the whole “deathrock” genre that would follow is anyone’s guess. Pioneering stuff. I had no idea that they ever sounded like this.