While Marx was always your correspondent’s favourite Sister – indeed, the reason he was in a flat in Bournemouth checking out posters of his former alma mater was that this scribe was promoting a Ghost Dance gig at Bournemouth University – the news of Eldritch’s return under The Sisters of Mercy banner in the autumn of 1987 was enough to send thrills up many a black clad spine regardless of your allegiance.Įldritch’s return to the fray was revealed via a tantalising marketing campaign that spread across the weekly music press like black mould. An almost industrial album, it confirmed Eldritch’s growing interest in keyboards and synths, a move that prompted Marx’s departure the year before. While Ghost Dance were rooted to the spidery, almost Celtic licks that were Marx’s trademark sound and The Mission revelled in Wayne Hussey’s 12-string licks and appalling lyrics, Eldtrich had hinted what might be coming in the shape of the tactically released Gift album under The Sisterhood banner in 1986. So here we had thirds of The Sisters revealing what might have happened if the band hadn’t have split up in 1985. Over on the other side of the divide, The Mission had released The First Chapter, a compilation of EPs released on the Chapter 22 label that originally saw the light of day in the wake of the departure of guitarist Wayne Hussey and bassist Craig Adams from under the aegis of The Sisters of Mercy. Ghost Dance, formed by Gary Marx and ex-Skeletal Family vocalist Anne-Marie Hurst, had released the A Word To This Wise EP and its four tracks proved to be a quantum leap from its three predecessors.

Marx emits a gentle sigh, surveys the Body & Soul and First and Last and Always posters that hang among the others that include The Jesus & Mary Chain’s Darklands and Red Lorry Yellow Lorry’s Walking On Your Hands and says with a smirk, “So you’re definitely a fan then!”ġ987 proved to be a bumper year for long-term observers of The Sisters of Mercy and their attendant offshoots. Though quite how things would kick off is anybody’s guess considering that the former Sisters of Mercy guitarist is examining a poster of his erstwhile singer on this writer’s wall. The awkward moment feels like an eternity and given the history of the two men, there remains a sense that it might kick off at any moment. The tall and lofty figure of Gary Marx is staring long and hard at the face of Andrew Eldritch. Vinyl is housed in black shiny cover and there is a double sheet with pictures and lyrics too!!

Producer – Andrew Eldritch, Larry Alexander Producer – Andrew Eldritch, Jim Steinman, Alexander*

Mercy z ro lyrics