D.O.A: The Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle

Performer: Throbbing Gristle
Distributor: Caroline Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Cosey Fanni Tutti (vocals, guitar, tapes); Genesis P-Orridge (vocals, violin, clarinet, bass guitar); Chris Carter (keyboards, synthesizer, electronics, tapes); Peter Christopherson (tapes). Unknown Contributor Role: Peter Christopherson. Though it wasn't until 1981 that they finally got around to splitting, 1979's D.O.A. was subtitled "The Third and Final Annual Report," and in many ways, it does sound like a summation of everything Throbbing Gristle accomplished in their years together. It's got humor (their 1978 underground hit "United" is included, albeit in fast-forward, so that the four-minute song lasts 16 seconds), shock-tactic horror ("Hamburger Lady" is a graphic account of a burn victim), and no end of fascinating/disturbing lyrical imagery and musical experiments. Unlike their first album, SECOND ANNUAL REPORT, D.O.A. is largely studio created and consists of 13 discrete pieces, each with a theme and musical style of its own. Chris Carter's ABBA-meets-Kraftwerk "AB/7A," and Genesis P-Orridge's near-suicidal "Weeping," show the group's conceptual and musical range. This reissue also includes both sides of the single "Five Knuckle Shuffle"/"We Hate You (Little Girls)."

Throbbing Gristle combined primitive electronics, tape loops, avant-garde techniques, and post-punk energy to create a dark, experimental sound that was a tremendous influence on industrial and electronic music from the 1980s on. They evolved from a mid-'70s London performance-art group, but by 1977 they were committing acts of sonic terrorism on vinyl. After disbanding in the early '80s, they splintered off into Psychic TV and Chris And Cosey, but reunited for a 2004 festival that was put together to pay tribute to Throbbing Gristle's long-lasting influence.

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