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Coil

Real Name:
Jhon Balance & Peter Christopherson
Profile:
Formed in London in 1983 by John Balance as a solo side project to Psychic TV, Coil developed into a full-scale musical group in 1984, when Balance cemented a partnership with Peter 'Sleazy' Christopherson. Christopherson had been a founder of Psychic TV and member of Throbbing Gristle. For over twenty years Coil would be at the forefront of European experimentalism and electronic music.
Jhon Balance (1962–2004) died tragically in an accident at his home on November 13th, 2004. Peter Christopherson decided that, with the passing of Jhon Balance, Coil would not continue.
Sites:
Aliases:
Members:
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Discography

Releases:
How To Destroy Angels (2 versions)   L.A.Y.L.A.H. Antirecords 1984
Scatology (Album) (5 versions)   Force And Form ... 1984
The New Blockaders / Coil / Vortex Campaign (Album) (7 versions)   Not On Label ... 1984
Transparent (4 versions)   Nekrophile Rekords ... 1984
Panic / Tainted Love (Maxi) (5 versions)   Wax Trax! Records ... 1985
Horse Rotorvator (Album) (13 versions)   Force And Form ... 1986
The Anal Staircase EP (EP) (3 versions)   Force And Form ... 1986
Gold Is The Metal (With The Broadest Shoulders) (Comp, Album) (10 versions)   Threshold House ... 1987
The Unreleased Themes For Hellraiser (EP) (4 versions)   Solar Lodge ... 1987
The Wheel / The Wheal (3 versions)   Threshold House ... 1987
Unnatural History (CD, Comp)   Threshold House 1990
Windowpane (CD, Maxi)   Wax Trax! Records 1990
Windowpane (Maxi) (9 versions)   Threshold House ... 1990
Wrong Eye / Scope (7", Ltd)   Shock 1990
Love's Secret Domain (Album) (8 versions)   Torso ... 1991
The Snow EP (EP, Maxi) (8 versions)   Torso ... 1991
How To Destroy Angels (Remixes And Re-Recordings) (CD)   Threshold House 1992
Stolen And Contaminated Songs (Album) (2 versions)   Threshold House 1992
Is Suicide A Solution? (7")   Clawfist 1993
Themes For Derek Jarman's Blue (7")   Threshold House 1993
Born Again Pagans (CD, EP)   Eskaton 1994
Chaos In Expansion (CD, Comp)   Utopian Diaries, Sub Rosa 1994
Nasa-Arab (12", Ltd)   Eskaton 1994
The Angelic Conversation (Album) (2 versions)   Threshold House 1994
Unnatural History II (CD, Comp)   Threshold House 1995
Windowpane & The Snow (CD, Comp)   Threshold House 1995
Worship The Glitch (Album) (3 versions)   Eskaton 1995
A Thousand Lights In A Darkened Room (Album) (3 versions)   Eskaton 1996
Horse Rotorvator (CD)   Some Bizarre 1997
Unnatural History III (CD, Comp)   Threshold House 1997
Autumn Equinox: Amethyst Deceivers (EP) (2 versions)   Eskaton 1998
Spring Equinox: Moon's Milk Or Under An Unquiet Skull (EP) (2 versions)   Eskaton 1998
Summer Solstice: Bee Stings (EP) (2 versions)   Eskaton 1998
Astral Disaster (Album) (4 versions)   Prescription (UK) ... 1999
Musick To Play In The Dark (Album) (4 versions)   Chalice 1999
Winter Solstice: North (EP) (3 versions)   Eskaton 1999
Coil Presents Time Machines (CD)   Eskaton 2000
Constant Shallowness Leads To Evil (CD, Album)   Eskaton 2000
Musick To Play In The Dark² (Album) (7 versions)   Chalice 2000
Queens Of The Circulating Library (CD)   Eskaton 2000
August 18, 2001 New York City (VHS)   Mute Elation 2001
Live In NYC August 18, 2001 (CDr)   Mute Elation 2001
Moon's Milk (In Four Phases) - Coppice Meat (Acetate, 10")   Not On Label 2001
Пособие Для Кончающих: Волос Злата (CD, Comp)   Feelee 2001
Пособие Для Начинающих: Глас Сѐребра (CD, Comp)   Feelee 2001
Live In Moscow 2001 (VHS)   Feelee 2002
Moon's Milk (In Four Phases) (2xCD)   Eskaton 2002
Moon's Milk (In Four Phases) Bonus Disc (CDr)   Threshold House 2002
The Golden Hare With A Voice Of Silver (2xCD, Comp)   Eskaton 2002
The Plastic Spider Thing (CD, Album, Dig)   Eskaton 2002
The Remote Viewer (Album) (2 versions)   Threshold House 2002
The Somnambulist (CDr, Album)   Threshold House 2002
ANS (CD)   Eskaton 2003
England's Hidden Reverse (CD)   SAF Publishing, World Serpent 2003
Live Box (6xCD + CDr + Box, Lim)   Threshold House 2003
Live Four (CD, Album, Dig)   Threshold House 2003
Live One (2xCD, Album, Dig)   Threshold House 2003
Live Three (CD, Album, Dig)   Threshold House, Threshold House 2003
Live Two (CD, Album, Dig)   Threshold House 2003
Megalithomania! (CDr, Ltd)   Threshold House 2003
Spoiler Talks DVD Series: Coil (DVD)   Subetage 2003
The Restitution Of Decayed Intelligence (2 versions)   Beta-lactam Ring Records 2003
ANS (3xCD, Album + DVD-V)   Threshold House 2004
Black Antlers (Album) (2 versions)   Threshold House 2004
Selvaggina, Go Back Into The Woods (CDr, Ltd)   Threshold House 2004
...And The Ambulance Died In His Arms (CD, Album, Dig)   Threshold House 2005
The Ape Of Naples (Album) (2 versions)   Threshold House 2005
Absinthe Coil (CD, Ltd + Box, Ltd, Woo)   Absinthevertrieb Lion 2006
The Ape Of Naples / The New Backwards (Album) (2 versions)   Important Records (2) 2008
The New Backwards (CD, Dig)   Threshold House 2008
Remixes:
Fixed (EP) (11 versions) Gave Up Nothing Records ... 1992
Closer To God (Maxi) (3 versions) Closer (Precursor) Nothing Records ... 1994
Ellipsis (Album) (5 versions) Dreamspace (Coil - "Sh... Scorn Recordings ... 1995
Further Down The Spiral (2 versions) The Downward Spiral (T... Warner Music (Australia) ... 1995
Twist (CD, Album) Cowboys In Bangkok (Co... T&B Vinyl 1995
History Of Psychick Phenomenon (2xCD) Kraak (Coil Remix) Never Records, KK Records 1996
Outside The Circles Of Time (12", Ltd) Tactile Vs. Coil Rawkus 1996
Recurrence & Intervention (CD) Intervention 1 - Tacti... Rawkus 1996
Rejammed - Kraak Remixes (Maxi) (2 versions) Kraak (Coil Remix) KK Records 1996
En-Co-D-Esplendor (CD) Villa Esplendor (Coil ... Gift 1998
Anamnesis - Rarities 1994 - 1997 (CD) Dreamscape (Unstable S... Invisible, Possible 1999
Hate People Like Us (3 versions) An Apology, The Gimp /... Staalplaat ... 1999
So Soon (CD, Album) Fallen Angels Entering... Planet Mu 2001
The Seance At Hobs Lane (Album) (2 versions) Hobgoblins Via Satellite ... 2001
Remixes 81···04 - Rare Tracks Bundle (File, MP3) Rush (Black Sun Mix) Mute Records Ltd. 2004
The Downward Spiral (Deluxe Edition) (Album, Comp) (2 versions) Closer (Precursor), Th... Interscope Records 2004
The Electronic Bible Chapter 1 (CD, Comp) Hobgoblins White Label Music Ltd 2004
The Complete Depeche Mode (12xFile, AAC, Album, RM + 10xFile, AAC, Album, RM ) Rush (Black Sun Remix) Mute Records Ltd. 2006
The Dog EP (CDr) I Wanna Be Your Dog (C... Lucky 7's  
Production:
If You Can't Please Yourself You Can't, Please Your Soul (Comp) (4 versions) The Wheel EMI Records ... 1985
Macro Dub Infection Volume One (2xCD, Comp) The Hills Are Alive Virgin, Virgin 1995
Mix:
Switchblade (CD, Album) Olive, Visual Cortex Victor Entertainment Japan 1994
Appears On:
Core - A Conspiracy International Project (5 versions) Feeder Nettwerk ... 1988
Darwin Waltzes (LP) Overture Sub-Up-Records 1989
Myths 4: Sinople Twilight In Çatal Hüyük (Comp) (2 versions) Another Brown World Sub Rosa 1989
Easy Listening For Iron Youth: The Best Of NON (CD, Comp)   Elektra, Mute Records Ltd. 1991
Pontifex Maximus (CD, Album) Rule Again Dark Vinyl Records 1991
Blue (Album) (4 versions) Disco Hospital Mute Records Ltd. ... 1993
The Ambient Groove ESP Volume 3 (CD, Comp) The Snow (Driftmix) ESP Records 1994
The World According To Me (CD, Smplr, Promo) Tenderness Of Wolves Island Records 1995
Obsidian Monarch / Null Tributary (7", Ltd, Single, Cle)   Brainwashed Recordings 1999
Torture Garden - Bizarre & Eccentric Music Compilation (CD, Album, Comp) Blue Rats Torture Garden Records 1999
Vertigo De Lodo Y Miel (CD) Expansion Naranja, Ecu... Nimboestatic, AT-AT Records 2000
California Rhinoplasty EP (EP) (2 versions) Disco Hospital Matador 2001
Journey Down Blue Turtle Road (File, MP3, 192) S Is For Sleep 2'3music 2003
Tripping Louder Attitude (CD, Album) Amethyst Deceivers Group 1850 Records 2004
Lvx Perpetva (2xCDr, Comp) Windowpane La Maldita Familia 2007
Proem To Empty The Sun (CDr, Ltd)   Not On Label 2007
Łódź / Bad Trip Boys (CD, EP + CD, Album) Dark Age Of Love 2.47 Records 2007
Bootlegs (File, MP3) Windowpane La Maldita Familia 2008
Digital Angel (CD, Album) The Dreamer Is Still A... Durtro, Jnana Records 2008
The Dark Age Of Love (CD, Album, dig + CD, Ltd, car)   Ici D'Ailleurs 2009
The Dark Age Of Love (2xLP, cle + 7", fir)   Ici D'Ailleurs 2009
Tracks Appear On:
Bethel (Comp) (2 versions) Red Weather Not On Label 1983
The Beast 666 (Cass, Comp, C60) Here To Here (Double H... Nekrophile Rekords 1983
The Elephant Table Album (Comp) (3 versions) S Is For Sleep X Tract 1983
Life At The Top (LP, Comp) Homage To Sewage Third Mind Records 1984
A Diamond Hidden In The Mouth Of A Corpse (Comp) (2 versions) Neither His Nor Yours Giorno Poetry Systems ... 1985
Devastate To Liberate (Comp) (2 versions) Restless Day Yangki ... 1985
If You Can't Please Yourself You Can't, Please Your Soul (Comp) (8 versions) The Wheel EMI Records ... 1985
The Fight Is On (LP, Comp) Sicktone L.A.Y.L.A.H. Antirecords 1985
Ohrensausen (Comp) (3 versions) His Body Was A Playgro... Dom 1986
59 To 1 Cassette Nr. 18 (Cass, Comp) Ostia (The Death Of Pa... 59 To 1 1987
Peyrere (Cass, Comp, C60) Dream Photography Peyrere 1988
! (Wax Trax! Sampler #2) (Cass, Smplr) Love's Secret Domain (... Wax Trax! Records 1989
Myths 4: Sinople Twilight In Çatal Hüyük (Comp) (3 versions) Another Brown World Sub Rosa 1989
Pathological Compilation (Comp) (3 versions) Contains A Disclaimer Pathological Records 1989
Total Volume 1 (Comp) (6 versions) The Anal Staircase (Re... Total ... 1990
Easy Listening For Iron Youth (Comp) (2 versions) Predator / Prey Mute Records Ltd. 1991
Order To The Galaxy Vol. 1 (CD, Comp) The Snow (Driftmix) Torso 1991
The Portable Altamont (CD, Comp) Wrong Eye, Scope, Mean... Shock 1991
Total - Volume One (CD, Comp) The Anal Staircase (Re... Soleilmoon Recordings, Total 1991
Rhythm For Bodybags (Industrial Compilation 02/92) (Cass) Driftmix EFA 1992
Cash Cow : The Best Of Giorno Poetry Systems 1965-1993. (CD) Neither His Nor Yours Giorno Poetry Systems, East Side Digital 1993
Electrocity Vol. 3 (CD) Windowpane Ausfahrt 1993
Black Box (A Video Retrospect) Volume 1 (VHS, NTSC) Windowpane Wax Trax! Records 1994
Black Box (A Video Retrospect) Volume 2 (VHS, NTSC) Tainted Love Wax Trax! Records 1994
Blackbox - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years. (Comp) (3 versions) Love's Secret Domain (... TVT Records ... 1994
El Mondo Ambiente (2xCD, Comp) The Snow (Driftmix) Dino Music 1994
Out There - A Thread Through Time (Comp) (2 versions) Nasa Arab Pi Recordings 1994
Space Daze (2xCD, Comp) Nasa Arab Cleopatra, CEMA Special Markets 1994
The Ambient Groove ESP Volume 3 (Comp) (3 versions) The Snow (Driftmix) ESP Records ... 1994
Urban Ambient Trance (2xCD, Comp) The Snow (Driftmix) Musidisc, Musidisc 1994
Macro Dub Infection Volume 1 (Comp) (3 versions) The Hills Are Alive Virgin ... 1995
The World According To Me (CD, Smplr, Promo) Tenderness Of Wolves Island Records 1995
Succour (The Terrascope Benefit Album) (2 versions) Lost Rivers Of London Ptolemaic Terrascope ... 1996
Terra Serpentes (2xCD) Heartworms World Serpent 1996
Treat The Gods As If They Exist (CD, Ltd) If It Wasn't Wolves, W... Auf Abwegen 1996
Narcosis: A Dark Ambient Compilation (2xCD, Comp) Stoned Circular II Credo 1997
This Is Space - The Space Daze Trilogy (4xCD) Nasa Arab Cleopatra 1997
Foxtrot (Comp) (3 versions) Blue Rats (Blue Cheese... Chalice 1998
Industrial Strength Machine Music (CD) Panic Rhino Entertainment Company 1999
The Swinging Reflective - Favourite Moments Of Mutual Ecstasy (2xCD, Comp) How To Destroy Angels II United Dairies 1999
Torture Garden - Bizarre & Eccentric Music Compilation (CD, Album, Comp) Blue Rats Torture Garden Records 1999
Computer Music Journal Sound Anthology Volume 24, 2000 (CD, Comp) Glisten#2 Computer Music Journal 2000
Cornucopea: Two South Bank Evenings With Julian Cope (CD, Album, Smplr) Time Machines (Excerpt) Head Heritage 2000
Emre [Dark Matter] (Comp, Album) (2 versions) Broken Aura Source Research 2000
The Way I Feel (2 versions) Many Hands Caciocavallo 2000
The Wire Tapper 6 (2xCD, Dig) A Cold Cell Wire Magazine 2000
Licht + Kraft (CD) Love's Secret Domain Tolkewitz 2001
Lichttaufe 2 (CD, Dig) Are You Shivering? Goeart, Prophecy Productions 2001
Rough Trade Shops - 25 Years (4xCD) Further Back And Faster Mute Records Ltd. 2001
sR:ample ::: A Source Research Recordings Sampler (CD, Album, Smplr, Ltd) Broken Aura (Excerpt) Source Research 2001
Brain In The Wire (3xCD, Comp, Ltd) Mayhem Accelerator Part 1 Brainwashed Recordings 2002
Rough Trade Shops - Electronic 01 (2xCD, Comp) Ended Mute Records Ltd. 2002
The Wire 20 1982 - 2002: Audio Issue (3xCD, Comp + Box) Wrong Eye Mute Records Ltd. 2002
X-Rated: The Electronic Files (2xCD, Comp) Remote Viewing 1 (Exce... Boudisque Records 2002
Москве (CD, Ltd) Philm (Sleeper Mix By ... Error Records 2002
Hard-Funk Mix (CDr, Promo, Mixed) Babylero F Communications 2003
Lactamase: The Closure (10", Ltd, Comp) Bad Message Beta-lactam Ring Records 2003
Mutek 03 (CD, Album, Comp) The Test Mutek_Rec 2003
The Lactamase 10" Sampler (CDr) The Restitution Of Dec... Beta-lactam Ring Records 2003
Tyr: Myth-Culture-Tradition Volume 2 (CD, Comp) Magnetic North Ultra! 2004
OperettAmorale (CD) A List Of Wishes Divine Frequency 2005
Otology: The Brainwashed 7" Singles Compiled (CDr) Glowworms/Waveforms - ... Brainwashed Recordings 2005
Rough Trade Shops - Counter Culture 04 Best Of 2004 (2xCD) Sex With Sun Ra Mute Records Ltd. 2005
Brainwaves (3xCD, Ltd, Comp) Journey To Avebury Brainwashed Recordings 2006
CD Side 33 (CD, Smplr) Cold Cell D-Side 2006
Not Alone (5xCD, Comp) Broccoli Durtro, Jnana Records 2006
X-Rated: The Dark Files (CD) Coppice Meat Steamin' Soundworks 2006
Active Agent Of Sound (2xCD, Comp, Dig) Presents Time Machines... Klangwirkstoff Records 2007
Sleepwalk: A Selection By Optimo (Espacio) (Comp) (2 versions) A Cold Cell In Bangkok... Domino Recording Company Ltd. 2008
Yet Another (File, MP3, 320) Tainted Love Weird Elements 2008
Electric Brain Storms Vol.4 (File, MP3, Mixed, 320) Clap The Pod Room 2009
Songs For A Child - A Tribute To Pier Paolo Pasolini (CD, Comp, Ltd) Ostia (The Death Of Pa... Rustblade 2009
...Maid! How Slow Can You Go? (2 versions) Windowpane (Razormaid ... Razormaid Records  
Pathalogical Compilation (LP) "Contains A Disclaimer" Pathalogical Records  
U.K. Buzz #006 (LP, Comp, Promo) The Wheel Thirsty Ear  
Video Sampler 1 (VHS, Comp, Promo) Tainted Love Wax Trax! Records  
Unofficial Releases:
Devastate To Liberate (Cass, Comp, Unofficial) Restless Day RRRecords 1987
Technopolis Vol. XII (CD) Windowpane (Razormaid ... Back In Black (2) 1994
Stolen And Contaminated Songs (CD, Album, Ltd)   ArsNova 1999
A Thousand Lights In A Darkened Room (CD, Album, Ltd)   ArsNova 2000
Astral Disaster (CD, Album, Ltd)   ArsNova 2000
Coil (1): 1983-1991 (CD-ROM, Comp) Sewn Open, Silence & S... Домашняя Коллекция 2000
Foxtrot (CD, Comp, Unofficial, Ltd) Blue Rats (Blue Cheese... ArsNova 2000
Gold Is The Metal (With The Broadest Shoulders) (CD, Album, Ltd) The Broken Wheel ArsNova 2000
Horse Rotorvator (CD)   ArsNova 2000
How To Destroy Angels (Remixes And Re-Recordings) (CD, Album, Ltd)   ArsNova 2000
Scatology (2 versions)   Force And Form ... 2000
The Angelic Conversation (CD, Album, Ltd)   ArsNova 2000
Ultra Rare Trax Vol. 6 (Millennium Remixes) (CD, Unofficial) Rush (Black Sun Mix) Not On Label (Ultra Rare Trax Series) 2000
Unnatural History (CD, Comp, Unofficial, Ltd) His Body Was A Playgro... ArsNova, ArsNova 2000
Unnatural History II (CD, Comp, Ltd)   ArsNova 2000
Unnatural History III (CD, Comp, Ltd) First Dark Ride, Baby ... ArsNova 2000
Worship The Glitch (CD, Album)   ArsNova 2000
Coil (3xCD-ROM, Comp) Sewn Open, Silence And... Фонотека В Кармане 2003
The Restitution Of Decayed Intelligence (CDr)   Not On Label (Coil) 2003
A New Direction / Zacker Nights (CDr, Ltd, Comp) Love's Secret Domain (... Not On Label 2005
Autechre vs. Music (CD) DraneHeavyflewid Chimportant 2006
Coil Vs. Venetian Snares (CD)   Chimportant 2006
Porto (3 versions)   Not On Label (Coil) 2006
All The Pretty Little Horses (7", S/Sided + DVD + Box, Ltd)   Not On Label (Coil) 2008
Porno Squad Car (Cass, Album, Ltd) Panic Squirrel Liberation Front 2008
Trickle Down Economixxx (22xFile, MP3, Mixed, 320) Batwings (A Liminal Hymn) Cock Rock Disco 2008
Demos & Remixes Volume 2 (CD) Gave Up (Remixed By Co... Spider Records (2)  
Live Amsterdam 01/06/01 (CDr)   Equinox (3)  
Live In Barcelona 17th June 2000 (DVDr, Ltd)   Not On Label (Coil)  
Live In Berlin 12th April 2002 (DVDr, Ltd)   Not On Label (Coil)  
Live In Moscow September 15, 2001 (DVDr)   Not On Label (Coil)  
Live In NYC August 18, 2001 (DVDr)   Not On Label (Coil)  
Musick To Play In The Dark² (CD, Album, Unofficial)   ArsNova  
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Reviews & Discussion

Review by bikefridaywalter Jun 17, 2008
I once did reviews and interviews for a local music rag and if there's one thing I learned from that experience is that people are people no matter what they do. So it's hard for me to get all whimsical and enraptured in any artist no matter how much I may like his or her music.

But there was something about Coil. Was it Jhonn's remarkably sweet yet haunting voice? Was it Peter's constant explorations of sound? Was it how every piece of work was peppered with some hint of the occult and obscure and profane, like some sort of musical Robert Anton Wilson?

Could have it been their constant surprises? I know that drew me back more than once. My first discovery was "Love's Secret Domain" and its lush techno-heavy psychedelic form of industrial stood apart from the rest. I was surprised and delighted by the decadent "Horse Rotorvator" and was completely floored the first time I heard the original themes to "Hellraiser."

But there was no gimmick to Coil. They made genuine beauty that just kept growing more lovely by the moment. Even in their harshest moments (Zos Kia) they never seemed so destructive as their peers, even their forefathers (TG!). "Worship The Glitch" was a audiophile's wet dream and it was also a masterpiece of digital manipulation. I saw "A Thousand Lights In A Darkened Room" as a more organic extension of this idea, with the song "London's Lost Rivers" being a particularly standout track, even against an otherwise remarkable piece of work.

Thier ambient/noise/drone (blurred all fuzzily together of course) works were remarkable. I still consider "Time Machines" and "ANS" to be among my most favourite of the genre(s). Couple it with vocals like on albums such as "Astral Disasters," and you have something so unique, yet so expected from much superb experimentalists.

"The New Backwards" was long in coming, and it was well worth the wait.

Every now and then I seriously think I miss Jhonn Balance. It seemed as if he bared his soul in his music and it's hard not to feel like you knew him. And that was A Good Thing.

I would easily put the entire discography of Coil up for my highest recommendations to anyone, as it is all borne out of pure magick.
Review by Alastis Mar 31, 2006 (edited over 3 years ago)
Death of Jhon Balance due to freaky accident is still resonating within the community of Coil fans and those who love ambient/experimental music in general. I personally disagreed with Jhon beliefs, but nonetheless one cannot deny that most of material produced by Coil will still be remembered in years to come, unlike music that currently occupy charts. Too bad that we will never hear a single new note from them, but re-releases of old material and abundance of works written in Jhon lifetime should heal the pain.
Review by Mo0zOoH Dec 28, 2005 (edited over 3 years ago)
I don't know what else to say about Coil other than it's one of the most prolific and talented bands in electronic music, ever, period. That's it. You may like it or not, but these guys have influenced on and collaborated with a nice bunch of famous artists, such as Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, David Tibet of Current 93, Steven Stapleton of Nurse With Wound, Boyd Rice of NON, and many others. Their influence on the experimental music stage of the last twenty years (a clear heritage of the legendary Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV) is obvious, and many other artists and bands digging in this area state them and their work as innovative and inspirational.

Now when John Balance is dead and Coil cannot continue their wonderful experiments all we can do is to listen to their godly music and to introduce it to others who haven't got acquainted with it yet, provided Coil's style changed many times as they have explored different directions in electronic music, and almost anyone can find something appealing to him.

If you like classic industrial, then you should check out their 80's works such as 'Scatology' (1984) and the brilliant 'Horse Rotorvator' (1987). Also look for the 'Unnatural History' antology releases which contain many of their early works.

If you're into techno or acid house, be sure to lay your hands over 1991's classic 'Love's Secret Domain', it's follow-up 'Stolen and Contaminated Songs' (1992) and one of their most dancey release ever, 'Windowpane & The Snow' (1995).

Starting from that period (around 1995), their music became more and more experimental up to the point where you can't really define the style of a given release.

Some of them were drawn towards experimental industrial and dark ambient. The highlights here are 'A Thousand Lights in a Darkened Room' (released under the Black Light District alias in 1996) and 'Time Machines' (released under the Time Machines alias in 1998).

Then came the solar cycle EPs -- Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, Summer and Winter Solstices (from spring'98 to winter'98-99), where almost all tracks were done in different styles from droning dark ambient (Moon's Milk, or Under an Unquiet Skull) to neo-folk (the ever-popular Amethyst Deceivers). Later all that EPs were released as 'Moon's Milk (In Four Phases)' (2002), which is a finest addition to any Coil collection, and a very good buy.

If you want soft and melancholic ambient to put your children to sleep with (just kidding!), try 'Astral Disaster' (2000).

One of the most brilliant albums in Coil career was 'Musick to Play in the Dark', volumes one (1999) and two (2000). This one is a masterpiece, an absolutely must-have release for all experimental music lovers in the world. It incorporates Coil's most innovative and beautiful soundscape techniques to date and is extremely complex and atmospheric, although not very 'industrial' and therefore may not appeal to those who are used to Coil's oldschool experiments. Even so, the album's sound is heavily drawn towards more abstract and ambient-alike electronics (and maybe IDM), while it still retains Coil's approach to the sound.

From there on, most of their releases were the recordings of their live appearances from all over the world, sometimes accompanied with tour CDs and CDRs such as 'Constant Shallowness Leads to Evil' (2000) and 'The Remote Viewer' (2002).

The very last Coil studio album (and their last album ever) released more than a year after John Balance's death, is 'The Ape of Naples' (2005), which is another fine piece of music containing some soft, sometimes melancholic and generally friendly to a casual listener songs.

The last release I wanted to point your attention at is 2002's anthology release named 'The Golden Hair With a Voice of Silver', which is recommended to you if you want a more or less complete overview of Coil's entire career in mere 133.5 minutes. It's a good album to start, and a very representative one: if you don't like it, chances are that you are still unable to derive that unearthly pleasure from Coil's magick.

Happy listening.
Review by nothinger Nov 05, 2003
Coil is one of those few bands, that has their own unique music style - you can tell that they play ambient, industrial, postindustrial, abstract electronic, noir ballads, dark wave or something else, but none of these definition even in half describes their music.
Their music is magical, mystical, mysterious and incredible climatic.
They started out with "Scatology", which is generally classical industrial record: tracks constructed mainly on samples, lots of noises ("Solar Lodge", "At The Heart Of It All") and crazy sounds at once raised them to the top of "post-industrialists".
Second full-length, "Horse Rotorvator" only confirmed their status on the underground avantgarde music scene. It contains more melodic and climatic sounds then debut - they started even make ballads ("Ostia"). It's one of the shiniest stars from the 80's and for lots of people their best work.
They greeted 90's with techno-sounds from "Love's Secret Domain" (obvious reference to LSD). Fascinated with new-formed british rave scene, they created one of the first pure "techno-oriented" album ever. Only few tracks, (as "Titan Arch") are reminiscences of the past - noises and crazy sounds speaks for themselfs.
After "LSD" thay stopped off for a while. For about 8 years they release only one worth-mentioning thing: "Worship The Glitch". Steady, static and very irritating sounds - isn't it that for what we love them?
In 1999 "Musick To Play In The Dark 1" showed up.
Back to their heights - as the title says, it's musiCK only to play in the night. Ambient, drones, abstract electronics.
Probably my best album.
After that, they released to present-day many good releases. They've started even touring in 2000, and in 2002 released 4 live-albums. Each one with different tracklist.

I can only say more that Coil is in my personal top three of best artists, together with Einstürzende Neubauten and Nine Inch Nails.