"The Scriptures" is an album by the American gothic rock band Christian Death, released in 1987. This album is unique as each song is a distinctive interpretation of a biblical story. It's often regarded as one of the band's most experimental works.
The album was realized by a new line-up led by Valor Kand, who took over the band's name after the departure of former frontman Rozz Williams. "The Scriptures" was the second album to feature Maitri, who would become Valor's long-term collaborator. The album is noted for its innovative exploration of a diverse range of genres. Apart from gothic rock, it dabbles in deathrock, industrial, and world music, among others.
The lyrics delve into topics of mysticism, spirituality, and religion. Valor also integrated excerpts from various religious texts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, The Bible, and The Quran, making the songs serve as direct commentaries on these sources. The album cover's artwork, featuring a monochrome print of Jesus Christ on the cross, underlines the religious theme.
Moreover, "The Scriptures" stands as a compelling document of an often overlooked phase of Christian Death's career, encapsulating the band's philosophical and musical shift under Valor's leadership. In essence, the album remains a testament to Christian Death's legacy of continually pushing the boundaries of gothic rock.
