Although fairly obscure in the USA, the Manic Street Preachers have been a household name in their native England and across Europe and Japan for over a decade. The band of avant-garde misfits came out around the time grunge first hit the scene in the early ’90s. With their unique brand of punk-flavored hard rock, they were automatically at odds with the new trend, not to mention their appearance—a motley medley of smeared eyeliner, ratted hair and Clockwork Orange imagery. The band’s groundbreaking first album, GENERATION TERRORISTS was rife with frenetic riffs, soaring vocals and a strong sense of purpose, courtesy of its socio-political themes. Truly alternative for the time, the Manics style balanced cinematic imagery with the raucous energy of Guns’n’Roses, and the working-class credibility of the The Clash.
Originally released in 1994, THE HOLY BIBLE, the band’s third album, marked a stark departure from the slicker pop leanings of the band’s second album GOLD AGAINST THE SOUL, and the sheer bombast of the first album. A far darker affair, THE HOLY BIBLE dispensed with the pop hooks and extravagant production values, focusing instead on its paranoid themes and dim imagery. Songs such as “Faster,” “PCP” and “Revol” bleed with rhythm guitarist Richey James’ lyrical cynicism, and are made especially effective by singer and lead guitarist James Dean Bradfield’s stylized bits—although Richey James and bassist Nicky Wire were largely responsible for the Manics’ lyrical themes and overall vision, it was Bradfield who single-handedly crafted the band’s signature sound. With lyrical themes touching on such uplifting topics as anorexia, the Holocaust and the absurdity of political correctness, THE HOLY BIBLE was not meant to sway the pop masses. It did, however, garner rave reviews and was a mainstay on many a critic’s Top-10 list for the year. To further shake things up, the band adorned itself and its stage in military regalia and socialist symbolism.
This excellent three-disc reissue features a digitally re-mastered version of the album, plus the previously unearthed US mix, which comes off a bit harder than the original. There are also tons of extras including unreleased live tracks. One of the more intriguing features of the reissue is its third disc—a DVD full of live and TV performances, a short film and an insightful interview with the remaining three band members.
In an ironic twist, troubled guitarist, lyricist and Manic poster boy Richey James disappeared after the release of THE HOLY BIBLE, never to be seen again. The band would eventually continue as a three-piece, making several noteworthy records and touring America with the likes of Oasis at the height of that band’s popularity. This reissue is an excellent document of what many consider to be the Manic Street Preachers’ most definitive album. Epic’s exquisite handling of the reissue speaks volumes about the label’s commitment to its important releases of yore.
+ Jim Kaz
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