Phantasmagoria (album)

Phantasmagoria is an album by The Damned released by MCA records July 1985 (Catalog # MCA MCF 3275), released in August 1985. Special editions were available on white vinyl or picture disc & some versions included a free 12" for their #2 hit Eloise.

After much wrangling, The Damned received a new contract with MCA Records (past member Captain Sensible's hit solo career helped) and recorded their next LP in Eel Pie Studios during 1984, their most commercial album to date Phantasmagoria. It reached No. 11 in the charts, the band's highest charting ever. The non-album single Eloise was also released at this time, original Barry Ryan cover, became a huge UK hit reaching No. 2. The Damned centered the entire opus of Phantasmagoria around David Vanian's monstrous deep & powerful voice, giving much of the album to a deeply personal emotional gothic feeling. The vibe of The Damned's past 18-minute gothic opera "Curtain Call" from The Black Album resounds throughout Phantasmagoria. "Edward the bear" is a light pop tune sung by Roman Jugg.

Track listing

1. Street of dreams
2. Shadow of love
3. There'll come a day
4. Sanctum Sanctorum
5. Is it a dream
6. Grimly Fiendish
7. Edward the bear
8. The eighth day
9. Trojans

Personnel

• Dave Vanian – Vocals
• Roman Jugg – Guitar
• Bryn Merrick – Bass
• Rat Scabies – Drums

plus

• Produced by Jon Kelly