In the swirling, kaleidoscopic landscape of 1980s alternative music, Alien Sex Fiend emerged as a beacon of gothic rock anarchy. Fronted by the dynamic duo of Nik Fiend and Mrs. Fiend, this British band carved out a niche with their macabre aesthetic and avant-garde soundscapes. Their 1987 release, Here Cum Germs, stands as a testament to their relentless drive to push musical boundaries and challenge the conventions of their time.
Historical Context
The late '80s were a turbulent time for the music industry. The post-punk explosion had given way to a myriad of sub-genres, each more experimental than the last. Gothic rock, with its dark, brooding tones and theatrical flair, found a receptive audience among the disenchanted youth of the era. Alien Sex Fiend, hailing from the UK, rode this wave with a unique blend of horror imagery and electronic innovation.
Musical Exploration
Here Cum Germs is not just an album; it's a sonic journey through the twisted minds of Nik and Mrs. Fiend. From the opening track, "My Brain Is In The Cupboard, Above The Kitchen Sink," listeners are plunged into a world where conventional song structures are mere suggestions. The album oscillates between frenzied, electronic-infused tracks like "Dead And Re-Buried" and more introspective pieces such as "Hurricane Fighter Plane."
The Fiends' music defies easy categorization. While rooted in gothic rock, their sound incorporates elements of industrial, punk, and psychedelic music. The use of distorted guitars, eerie synthesizers, and pounding drum machines creates an atmosphere that is both unsettling and hypnotic. Nik Fiend's vocals, ranging from guttural growls to manic shrieks, add to the album's otherworldly vibe.
Music Genre
While Here Cum Germs is steeped in the gothic rock tradition, its experimental nature pushes it beyond the confines of the genre. Alien Sex Fiend's willingness to blend styles and experiment with unconventional sounds makes this album a precursor to the industrial rock that would gain prominence in the '90s. The band's influences are evident, yet they manage to synthesize these elements into something wholly their own.
Controversies
Alien Sex Fiend has never shied away from controversy. Their live performances, often characterized by chaotic theatrics and provocative imagery, have drawn both acclaim and ire. Here Cum Germs is no exception, with its unsettling cover art and taboo-challenging themes. Tracks like "In And Out Of My Mind" and "Do You Sleep?" delve into mental health and existential dread, subjects that were far from mainstream in the music of the time.
Production Team and Recording Studio
The production of Here Cum Germs was helmed by the Fiends themselves, a testament to their DIY ethos and desire for creative control. The album was recorded at the fabled F2 Studios in London, a hotbed for alternative and underground acts of the era. The raw, unpolished sound of the record captures the essence of the band's live energy, an intentional move to preserve the authenticity of their vision.
The production quality, while not polished to a commercial sheen, serves the album's aesthetic perfectly. The use of analog equipment and unconventional recording techniques gives the tracks a gritty, immersive quality. Each song feels like a journey into a dark, surreal landscape, with the listener as an unwitting traveler.
