Tragic Tale of a Goth Metal Icon's Last Album: Struggling with addiction, the star suffered both physically and mentally, eventually experiencing disillusionment prior to his untimely demise
In the year 2007, Type O Negative released their penultimate album, "Dead Again." This record, a complex and intriguing work, was born out of a period of tribulation, anxiety, misery, and uncertainty. The four-year gap since their previous album, "Life Is Killing Me," was due to a series of hardships that the band members faced.
Frontman Peter Steele was in a years-long tailspin heading into the recording of "Dead Again." He had lost his mother before the album's release, and was involved in a violent altercation due to a bad break-up with a woman he had been seeing for ten years [1]. Guitarist Josh Silver also lost his father during this time [2].
The band's musical results were impressive, with elements of Type O Negative's earlier work, a touch of Carnivore, and a few new tricks like the almost prog-like complexity of the epic 14-minute-plus track "These Three Things" [5]. The more improvisational songwriting process contributed to the sprawling scope of "Dead Again," with many songs approaching or passing the 10-minute mark [2].
Lyrically, the album wasn't the most focused of Type O Negative's catalogue. It touched on themes like addiction, the passing of Dimebag Darrell, Peter Steele's rediscovery of his Catholic faith, and his own delusions and nightmares at the time [6][7]. The band used a drum machine for recording since Sal Abruscato's departure after the breakthrough third album "Bloody Kisses" [3]. Drummer Johnny Kelly played live in the studio for the first time during the recording of "Dead Again" [3].
After the album's release, the band suffered further misfortunes. The record company SPV, which put out "Dead Again," went bankrupt shortly after its release, limiting the album's commercial support [4]. Hurricane Sandy later razed the rehearsal studio where "Dead Again" was written to the ground [1].
Despite these problems, "Dead Again" received reasonable acclaim and middling success, with a unique character and a devoted hardcore following. It was not the first choice of most Type O Negative fans, but it is considered sometimes brilliant, sometimes frustrating, and always intriguing, mirroring its late architect Peter Steele [8].
Tragically, Peter Steele passed away on April 14, 2010, aged 48, due to sepsis caused by diverticulitis [9]. "Dead Again" turned out to be Type O Negative's final album.
Rasputin is featured on the cover of "Dead Again" because Steele was often referred to as Rasputin by Kenny Hickey [10]. The album's title, "Dead Again," is a reflection of the band's state at the time, and the themes of death, depression, infidelity, and obsession that it explores [11].
In conclusion, "Dead Again" was shaped by personal loss and turmoil experienced by Peter Steele and the band, compounded by external misfortunes like label bankruptcy and natural disaster, all of which influenced the album’s production and reception. It stands as a testament to the band's resilience and creativity, and a poignant reminder of the challenges they faced during its creation.
References: 1. Type O Negative - Dead Again (2007) | Album Review 2. Type O Negative - Dead Again (2007) | Album Review 3. Type O Negative - Dead Again (2007) | Album Review 4. Type O Negative's 'Dead Again' Album Turns 15 5. Type O Negative - Dead Again (2007) | Album Review 6. Peter Steele on 'Dead Again' 7. Peter Steele on 'Dead Again' 8. Type O Negative - Dead Again (2007) | Album Review 9. Peter Steele Dead at 48 10. Type O Negative - Dead Again (2007) | Album Review 11. Type O Negative - Dead Again (2007) | Album Review
- Type O Negative's drummer, Johnny Kelly, played live in the studio for the first time during the recording of "Dead Again."
- The band used a drum machine for recording since Sal Abruscato's departure after the breakthrough third album "Bloody Kisses."
- After the album's release, the band suffered further misfortunes, including the bankruptcy of the record company SPV.
- Despite these problems, "Dead Again" received reasonable acclaim and middling success, with a unique character and a devoted hardcore following.
- The more improvisational songwriting process contributed to the sprawling scope of "Dead Alongside this, elements of Type O Negative's earlier work, a touch of Carnivore, and a few new tricks like the almost prog-like complexity of the epic 14-minute-plus track "These Three Things" were seen in the album.
- The album was shaped by personal loss and turmoil experienced by frontman Peter Steele, who was involved in a violent altercation and lost his mother before the album's release.
- Guitarist Josh Silver also lost his father during this time.
- Lyrically, the album touched on themes like addiction, the passing of Dimebag Darrell, Peter Steele's rediscovery of his Catholic faith, and his own delusions and nightmares at the time.
- In 2007, the band's prog-influenced metal album "Dead Again" was released, signifying a new chapter in their health-and-wellness journey, with elements of mental-health struggles and personal growth being reflected in the music and lyrics.
