Start playing guitar How to choose a guitar for beginners?
Alternative History

Why a Sisters of Mercy new album may never happen, despite the band remaining active

Sisters of Mercy

A new Sisters of Mercy album is bound to generate a lot of interest for a certain segment of the music listening audience, but, if you’re not familiar with the band’s policy about working with record companies and handing new material over to them, you’d best be advised not to expect a new release from the rock band to occur anytime soon.

Andrew Eldritch of Sisters of Mercy
sisters of mercy new album

The Sisters of Mercy, misunderstood industrial rock pioneers

The Sisters of Mercy, in many ways, define the very idea of a cult band. Although so often associated with the sub-genre of “gothic rock scene”, and, in spite of their own protests, the Sisters of Mercy, lead by singer Andrew Eldritch, achieved short-lived world fame, before trading it all in for the dedication and support of a small group of loving fans. These admirers are naturally very knowledgeable of the group and the gothic subculture that many believe they represent. 

They’re also are a group constantly discovered by new generations. In fact, the Sisters of Mercy are one of the bands that find an audience, and a sizeable one at that,  many years after they stopped being active in terms of recordings. Their type of fans is also surprising, usually outside of what their record company would have identified as their niche market. Sisters of Mercy are what a marketing executive might term “a crossover act”.

And at the height of their popularity, the Sisters were serious contenders to becoming the alternative rock group that would break down the walls into the mainstream. The band had 2 songs in the UK Top 10. And, one imagines, that the mainstream acceptance of groups like Ministry and Marilyn Manson was owed in no small part to Eldritch’s pioneering ways. 


Andrew Eldritch and the DYI spirit of the Sisters

Perhaps this was the problem all along. The group, led by baritone singer  Andrew Eldritch, has always had a strained relationship with record companies. At a time when even independent music, for the most part, had to be involved with the big record labels, the band never showed interest in playing ball with the corporate entities eager to sell their records across the world. All the more strange, the group enjoyed notoriety far beyond that of most of their peers. Record companies were, however, anxious to market the band outside of what they presumed was the band’s core audience, goth kids, and alternative music fans.

For their part, the Sisters of Mercy insisted that their music did not comfortably fit a box as limiting as “goth rock”. And they were art. Artistically and commercially their situation was far more complex. Their musical efforts tended to become more adventurous as time went on, and despite their success with critics and the public, their relationships with the record representatives became more strained. Their motivation to become world stars also faded quickly. Their creativity remained intact while interested in producing recorded music. Soon enough the gears ground to a halt completely, at least in terms of new records releases.

Andrew Eldritch and Patricia Morrison, Sisters of Mercy, New album

The band famously went on strike from their label accusing them of sabotaging their career. The band had always made an effort towards independence and the majority of their releases came out on Merciful records, the band’s own label. However, as with the majority of indie labels, they too had a distribution deal that could offer them access to the record companies’ distribution network. And with a deal came negotiations and expectations from record execs. It wasn’t that Eldritch did not want to be successful. He was just not in a hurry to do it at any expense.

The Sisters of Mercy’s refusal to produce a new album

Eldritch held Warner in a standstill refusing to release new music through the label. A type of compromise was reached for the collection of older material “Some Girls Wander by Mistake” released in 1992. The band was even persuaded to record an updated version of the song “Temple of Love” to accompany the release. But for all intents and purposes, the group had cut ties to their record label, and recording industry as a whole.

Andrew Eldritch and Patricia Morrison, Sisters of Mercy, New album

Warner finally called it quits on trying to reach a compromise with Eldritch in 1997 and the band was released from their contract. But by 1997 many things were about to change. The Sisters Of Mercy would soon reappear under a new line-up with Andrew Eldritch the sole remaining member of the previous incarnations of the band. In fact, the band remains active today, and Sisters of Mercy tour the UK regularly.

People’s tastes in music had also, naturally, changed, but was not very concerning to the group, who had always operated outside of trends and fashion. But if it’s one thing big record labels have trouble with is promoting bands once their popularity has started to go in decline. Warner simply walked away.

The recording industry that Eldritch had loathed so much, was destined to almost cease to exist. At least in the format that the band had struggled with for all this time. Through the years there was an abundance of rumors regarding negotiations between the band and various labels. But with little interest from both parties, nothing came of it. Numerous Sisters of Mercy unreleased songs exist and many of them have been played live or circulated online. If Eldritch was perhaps looking for an alternative method of releasing his music, it seems he has not yet found a suitable formula.

The Sisters of Mercy recorded three studio albums and a handful of singles. All of the band’s releases held in high praise, with fans of alternative rock especially. The band’s second album “Floodland” is considered a modern classic by practically anyone with an interest in modern music. Their reputation is set in stone and as years go by and it can only increase.

A Sisters of Mercy new album would be an e event, surely. Not merely for alternative rock. But, rather for a music industry aching from the lack of non-manufactured musical celebrations.

However, ironically as the Music industry has taken a nosedive, so does the chance of a band to be pushed towards success. Sisters of Mercy remain creative with new music heard through concerts from time to time. The new music doesn’t look likely, for now, and in the conservative format of album releases, to be archived to the recording format. Sisters of Mercy continue to operate in their world, their fans, many as they are, show no displeasure at this, and their recording look set to remain classified under the popular moniker of “classic“.

About author

Eduard Banulescu is a writer, blogger, and musician. As a content writer, Eduard has contributed to numerous websites and publications, including FootballCoin, Play2Earn, BeIN Crypto, Business2Community, NapoliSerieA, Extra Time Talk, Nitrogen Sports, Bavarian FootballWorks, etc. He has written a book about Nirvana, hosts a music podcasts, and writes weekly content about some of the best, new and old, alternative musicians. Eduard also runs and acts as editor-in-chief of the alternative rock music website www.alt77.com. Mr. Banulescu is also a musician, having played and recorded in various bands and as a solo artist.
Related posts
Alternative History

The Story of the Guns N’ Roses Album Covers

Alternative History

The Police Albums Ranked: When Did the Sting-Fronted Power Trio Peak?

Alternative History

The True Meaning of the Lyrics and the Video to “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses

Alternative History

11 Essential Classic Goth Rock Albums: Beyond the Grave

Be part of the Alt77 community

Leave a Reply