Coil - Supersonic
** shipping from 9/3/26
2002 was arguably the most demanding year in the brief history of COIL live concerts, a year that left John Balance mentally and physically drained and in no condition to perform at three of the shows the band were booked to play the following year.
Retractor is pleased to present the first official release from that often overlooked period, an as yet unheard newly mastered exclusive desk recording of the final one of these shows: COIL's appearance at the then-fledgling Supersonic festival at the Custard Factory in Birmingham on July 12th of 2003.
Decked out once again in their fluffy suits, core members Peter Christopherson and Thighpaulsandra were joined by frequent collaborator Tom Edwards adding subtle flourishes of marimba to their instrumental electronic set which was composed of material exclusive to/improvised for these performances as well as old favourites like a reworking of "Blue Rats" from the "Black Light District" album and culminating in an unexpected but triumphant reading of the "Horse Rotorvator" classic "The First Five Minutes After Death".
With Balance notably absent from his role as the centre stage focus, this recording is all about the sonic alchemy at the heart of COIL and in a way presents a foreshadowing of the palette of sounds Christopherson would go on to explore alone and with different partners after Balance's tragic passing the following year.
This is the latest in our series of live COIL releases and re-releases, and is available on CD exclusively from thighpaulsandra.co.uk
1. Blue Rats (24:31)
2. Triple Sun (11:01)
3. Radio Weston (11:24)
4. The First Five Minutes After Death (10:00)
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