"The Holy Bible" is the third studio album by Welsh alternative rock group Manic Street Preachers. It was released on 30 August 1994 by record label Epic and was the band's last album to be released before the disappearance of lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards in 1995.
Thematically, "The Holy Bible" expands upon themes of despair, self-loathing, political commentary, introspection, and personal experiences, while the music is characterized by its darker, more austere style compared to the band's previous work. The lyrics were primarily written by Edwards, offering a highly critical and introspective analysis of society, religion, and politics.
The album did not initially reach commercial success but was met with critical acclaim and retrospectively enjoys the status of a cult classic. It reached number 13 in the UK Albums Chart, and initially achieved modest sales. However, it has since gathered accolades and was included in Q magazine's list of the top 50 albums of 1994.
The band themselves regard it as their finest hour. Its raw and starkly honest lyrical content has made it one of the most influential British rock albums of the period. Several publications have listed it as one of the best albums of the 90s and one of the greatest albums of all time.
