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Mask

by Bauhaus

Released: October 16, 1981

Post-punk, gothic rock, experimental

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

Later editions replaced this with a montage from the promotional video for the title track. "Mask" is the second studio album by English gothic rock band Bauhaus, released on October 16, 1981, through Beggars Banquet Records. The album marked an expansion in the band's sound, incorporating keyboards and acoustic guitar in tracks like "The Passion of Lovers," while funk rhythms and saxophone featured prominently in songs like "Kick in the Eye," "Dancing," and "In Fear of Fear." The cover art, created by guitarist Daniel Ash, originally featured a gatefold sleeve with a stark black-and-white image of the band on the inside.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The album was reissued in 2009 as the…

The album was reissued in 2009 as the Omnibus Edition, which included a remastered version of the original album, a second disc of B-sides and alternate versions titled Singles and Out-Takes, and a live recording called This Is for When..., captured at Hammersmith Palais in London on November 9, 1981.

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Essential Tracks

The Passion of Lovers

The album marked an expansion in the band's sound, incorporating keyboards and acoustic guitar in tracks like "The Passion of Lovers," while funk rhythms and saxophone featured prominently in songs like "Kick in the Eye," "Dancing," and "In Fear of Fear." The cover art, created by guitarist Daniel Ash, originally featured a gatefold sleeve with a stark black-and-white image of the band on the inside.

Dancing

Kick in the Eye

Upon release, "Kick in the Eye" charted at No. 29 on the US Club Play Singles chart.

In Fear of Fear

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Explore the Album

Bauhaus - Mask

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Reception

Upon release, "Kick in the Eye" charted at No. 29 on the US Club Play Singles chart.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Mask" is the second studio album by English gothic rock band Bauhaus, released on October 16, 1981, through Beggars Banquet Records. The album marked an expansion in the band's sound, incorporating keyboards and acoustic guitar in tracks like "The Passion of Lovers," while funk rhythms and saxophone featured prominently in songs like "Kick in the Eye," "Dancing," and "In Fear of Fear."

The cover art, created by guitarist Daniel Ash, originally featured a gatefold sleeve with a stark black-and-white image of the band on the inside. Later editions replaced this with a montage from the promotional video for the title track.

Upon release, "Kick in the Eye" charted at No. 29 on the US Club Play Singles chart. The album was reissued in 2009 as the Omnibus Edition, which included a remastered version of the original album, a second disc of B-sides and alternate versions titled Singles and Out-Takes, and a live recording called This Is for When..., captured at Hammersmith Palais in London on November 9, 1981.