In the Shadow of the Sun is an improvised musical score by Throbbing Gristle for the 1981 Derek Jarman film of the same name.[1]

In the Shadow of the Sun
Soundtrack album by
ReleasedFebruary 1984
LabelIlluminated
Throbbing Gristle chronology
Editions-Frankfurt, Berlin
(1983)
In the Shadow of the Sun
(1984)
Sacrifice
(1986)
Alternate cover

Background

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In the Shadow of the Sun is an improvised musical score for the film of the same name by Derek Jarman. Throbbing Gristle founder Genesis P-Orridge called the film "ambient video", used to "enhance or complete an environment."[2]

Musical style

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Simon Ford, author of the Throbbing Gristle biography Wreckers of Civilisation: The Story of COUM Transmissions & Throbbing Gristle, opined that both the movie and its accompanying soundtrack "revelled in distortion, chance and formlessness."[1]

Live performances

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Throbbing Gristle played a new version of the soundtrack live during their April 2009 United States tour.[3]

Psychic TV performed a reinterpreted version of the soundtrack live along with a screening of the film at Cafe Oto in London during their spring 2017 European tour.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Sounds     [4]

The Wire described the soundtrack as "dark and mournful".[5]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Throbbing Gristle (Chris Carter, Peter Christopherson, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Genesis P-Orridge)

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."In the Shadow of the Sun Pt. 1" 
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."In the Shadow of the Sun Pt. 2" 

Charts

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Chart (1984) Peak
position
UK Indie Chart[6] 23

Bibliography

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  • Ford, Simon (1999). Wreckers of Civilization: The Story of COUM Transmissions & Throbbing Gristle. London: Black Dog.
  • Peake, Tony (1999). Derek Jarman: A Biography. Woodstock, New York: The Overlook Press.

References

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  1. ^ a b Ford 1999, p. 281.
  2. ^ Peake 1999, p. 332.
  3. ^ "Throbbing Gristle Embark on First U.S. Tour Since 1981". Remix. 11 February 2009. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  4. ^ A Doctor (25 February 1984). "Throbbing Gristle: In the Shadow Of The Sun". Sounds. p. 27.
  5. ^ Parker, C., ed. (2007). "Throbbing Gristle". The Wire (281).
  6. ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1989. Cherry Red Books. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2014.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)