Theatre of Hate
Westworld

THE REVIEW

The late-hour post-punkers and the much more seasoned "kritikini" seem to have forgotten Kirk Brandon and his debut with Theatre Of Hate. Nothing revolutionary, to be clear, but certainly our team did not deserve to be hastily thrown into oblivion (the usual, conformist and jerky oblivion).

I believe that this band, during its very brief and dazzling career, managed to produce a handful of extremely beautiful and definitely fascinating songs.

"Westworld", coincidentally, was the first and last studio album released by Theatre Of Hate, but, despite the decades that have passed, the album sounds sufficiently fresh. A group composed of a good seven boys, Marxists, and sympathizers of the Socialist Worker Party (Labour was something for petty-bourgeois!). Ordinary and restless young Albion fellows, who decided to take up instruments to express their song of protest against the senseless policies of Margaret Thatcher. At their side a certain Mick Jones and various, though not always clear, ideas.

Theatre Of Hate recalls, at certain points, some punk '77 solutions but what prevails are twilight and melancholic notes. However, not to be overlooked is a certain "pop" component, a measured ingredient capable of tempering the excessive dark tones of the early eighties.

I'll try to draw some bold comparisons. Sometimes the TOT bring to mind that sound dear to their countrymen and "comrades" UK Decay but, without exaggerating, they can also be compared to the less edgy Bauhaus. Add a seductive saxophone and the occasional presence of piano notes.

It's not difficult to understand the proposal of the English because, as already written, it was neither revolutionary nor shocking. Yet, amidst the chaos, a small group of songs stand out for their dark beauty. I am speaking, in detail, of the title track, "Conquistador", and "The Klan".

The title track is a martial and monolithic piece. An essential text describes what, at the time, was their slice of the world and ours.

"Conquistador" is an epic and solemn composition. A track like this must be rediscovered by all the exegetes of the new wave.

"The Klan" is the apotheosis of dark emotion applied to hot topics. Tear-jerking!

Beautiful songs flanked by not always convincing episodes but, if these days, someone has had the courage to reassess Samantha Fox, then it would be a crime to forget Theatre Of Hate! Cordially recommended, especially to the less pretentious lovers of the new wave.