This Corrosion – The Sisters of Mercy

This song remains probably the most absurdly bombastic of all goth anthems, a magnificent vision of excess and indulgence. And it still works.

It’s an unashamed dance floor filler, so long as you don’t mind dancing in a dark club surrounded by other creatures of the night dressed in black lace and leather and an excess of black eye shadow.

But credit where credit is due. The song is a brilliantly constructed piece of music. Built around a throbbing synth bassline the song continues relentlessly for over ten minutes, driving deeper and deeper into the abyss.

It opens with a choral overture that was actually performed by a 40 voice choir before a harpsichord motif comes into play. The choir returns sporadically to counterpoint the monotone vocal of Andrew Eldritch. The harpsichord returns as well in the moments that push the song almost to the point of self parody. But it never crosses that line.

Listening to the song in its entirety now its almost impossible not to admire it for its complete commitment to what it sought to achieve.

So along with Eldritch who was responsible for this milestone in goth rock? Look no further than the producer of the track Jim Steinman. And if that name doesn’t ring a bell then go ask Google.

Trust me , it explains everything.