"Don't mistake lack of talent for genius." -- Peter Steele, the voice of Type O Negative


"Bloody Kisses" was Type O Negative's "break-through" album, you could say. It mesmerized me, hit me like a ton of bricks, thrusted me into an adoration of Peter Steele's voice which I still carry to this day.

The album experience actually starts with the (very) controversial cover, upon which two gothic looking chicks appear to be romancing. It's quite a kick-start to get you into the album, portraying the dark, perverse prose that Peter Steele uses. (I've actually seen two different releases. One in which they were actually in a lip-lock, and then the one that you see here. I have both. -=] )


1. "Machine Screw" -- After you've enjoyed the cover, this wonderful little intro will be sure to get your attention with a 40 second experiment of a woman supposedly copulating with a machine. Hey, it's Type O! Go figure.


2. "Christian Woman" -- Now there are good songs, and there are lyrical masterpieces. This song I am particularly fond of. My first true sample of Type O Negative's brilliance came within this song. It's a 9 minute ride that I've always thought referred to domination. If you've never been fortunate enough to experience Type O Negative, make this your song! It truly captures the band's essens: sex, sacrilege, depression -- you name it.

Here's the intro to the song. The best part, in my opinion...

"A cross upon her bedroom wall
From grace she will fall
An image burning in her mind
And between her thighs.

A dying God-man full of pain
When will you come again ?
Before him beg to serve or please
On your back or knees
There's no forgiveness for her sins
Prefers punishment ?
Would you suffer eternally
Or internally ?"


3. "Black no. 1 -- (Little Miss Scare All)" -- Perhaps the second best track on the "Bloody Kisses" album, this one is just as riveting as "Christian Woman." Another long masterpiece, this track spans some 11 minutes. This song goes from slow and depressing to fast and adrenaline-rushing every minute. You've got to love Peter Steele in this one, the way he cranks out those "Love, love loving you" lyrics over and over again. I don't know if I've heard two AWESOME songs in a row on an album since U2's "Joshua Tree." These two songs are basically the only two songs that I listen to -- I'm not saying that the rest of the album is bad, they're just --that-- good! I'm not too sure what Peter Steele is trying to say in this song -- probably something about a druidess witch from the sounds of it -- but it takes nothing away from the experience. Here's another sample of lyrics of the song:..


"She's got date at midnight
With Nosferatu
Oh baby, Lilly Munster
Ain't got nothing on you
Well when I called her evil
She just laughed
And cast that spell on me
Boo B**** Craft."

4: "Fay Wray Come Out And Play" -- A somewhat odd but cool intermission that sounds like some crazy tribal sacrifice -- something along those lines. Doesn't feature music, but sure does make you question the band's sanity at times.

5: "Kill all the white people" -- This interesting, upbeat skit that only consists of a few sentences, but it's still hell-a-cool! You've got to love the guitar cords on this one. Not much to comment on. Not one of my favorites, but still awesome.


"Kill all the white people
Then we'll be free."


6: "Summer Breeze" -- My third personal favorite track on the "Bloody Kisses" album. Here they again sound as they did in tracks 2. (Christian Woman) and 3.(Black no. 1). This song doesn't appear to express any perversive innuendos and/or any sadism like I most know them for. The lyrics are wicked, like blurred technicolor. This is a great song to listen to when preparing to write, take a test, etc. That's just my take on it.


7: "Set me on fire" -- Like track 5 (Kill all the white people), this song consists of only two lines, but that doesn't take away from the experience at all. Only 3 and a half minutes -- somewhat short for a Type O Negative song -- this song has always been amongst the "supporting cast" in my book.

"Summer girl
Set me on fire
Summer girl
Set me on fire."


8: "Dark side of the womb." -- Don't ask me what this 30 second thing is, I've always just skipped it. You might find it interesting enough to listen to, though. It's basically an infant crying while some woman moans. Could it be a pregnancy? A woman killing her child? Any suggestions? -=]


9: "We Hate Everyone" -- Here Type O Negative is basically saying "F*** off" to the critics who have given them such monikers as: devil-worshippers, pagans (which they might very well be!), bigots, etc. Hey, it's freedom of speech isn't it? I personally adore this song. The crazy guitar skits, Steele's crisp voice, and relaxed drums. Here's my favorite set of lyrics:

"Lies and slander in vain try to shame us
Riots, protests, violence just makes us famous
TV interviews, free publicity
Increase record sales dramatically

The left they say I'm a facist
The right calling me communist
Hate hate hate hatred for all - one and all
No matter what you believe
Don't believe in you - and that's true."


10. "Bloody Kisses (A Death In The Family)" -- Okay, so we're nearing towards the end of the album. And you thought there were no goodies at the back! Slow, grey, eerie, inconsistent, darkly romantic -- this is another song that envelopes Type O Negative's unique, poetic style. I've always thought that Peter Steele was talking about his ex-girlfriend in this song, and how he wanted her to die. This might be a skewed interpretation, but that's just my opinion. Once again, here are some yummy lyrics:..

"A crimson pool so warm & deep
Lulls me to an endless sleep
Your hand in mine - I will be brave
Take me from this earth
An endless night - this, the end of my life
From the dark I feel your lips
And I taste your bloody kiss."


11: "3.O.I.F." -- The third and final incoherent intermission of this album features a plethora of jumbled voices (sounds like a Hindu prayer, to tell you the truth), some cool sound effects that always make me feel as I'm being sucked into space, and a cool little motorcycle crash. No lyrics to this one. Try and solve it, I guess.


12. "Too Late: Frozen" -- This track appears to be another "dagger" aimed at his ex-girlfriend. Nonetheless, it supplies Type O fans with another work of wonder, not to mention several tones of the impresario himself's -- Peter Steele -- magical voice. Ironically, this song always causes me to sense that there's a draft in the room. Spooky at times!

"So you've come to say you're very sorry
"It won't happen again - forgive me ?"
Time will not heal these wounds
And I'm bleeding because of you

Was everything we had just a joke ?
I've run out of patience, tears and hope
Love does not conquer all
And I'm screaming because of you."


13: "Blood & Fire" -- Opens with a kick-a** guitar and drum duet, and then makes a transistion into Peter Steele's pleading voice. To me, he's always sounded scared in this song, some minor vibration in his voice in this song that none of the other tracks on this album possess. It makes for an interesting listening experience. I had to repeat myself, but it appears that Peter Steele is again singing of his ex, or perhaps some person that has greatly hurt him -- definitely a woman. Perhaps his mother? (I might have to do a little research into this! :) )


14: "Can't Lose You" -- At last we've reached the conclusion to this historic album. Not the strongest, most recognized track of "Bloody Kisses", "Cant Lose You" satisfies any and all Type O Negative fans. This song uses one of those little (Indian!?) guitars that I've never been able to find out about. It adds a nice little twist, for sure. You have Peter Steele's deep, pleading voice to send you on your way in this one.


"Bloody Kisses" ranks right behind "October Rust" on my Type O Negative favorite list. Check my concise opinion of it if you're interested in looking up another great album that will mesmerize you for years and sessions to come!


"Don't mistake lack of talent for Genius."






Recommended: Yes