In the early ‘90s, a doom-ridden form of music emerged from the darkness of night and into the ear canals of many Heavy Metal fans. No, it was not from England (where bands like Black Sabbath pioneered a Doom Metal sound), but instead the urban streets of Brooklyn, New York, with unlike leadership from Type O Negative.
A group of musicians led by the darkly romantic voice of Pete Steele, the classic membership of Type O Negative included Kenny Hickey on guitars/vocals, Josh Silver on keyboards, and Sal Abruscato (who would go on to join Life of Agony). Together they took shape following the disbanding of Steel’s other band, Carnivore, paving the way for something new and unique. Soon, having a contract with Roadrunner Records (who had signed Steele with Carnivore and opted to sign his new band), Type O Negative put out the debut album Slow, Deep, and Hard in 1991. Building a following, they then put out The Origin of the Feces in 1992; however, it would be 1993’s Bloody Kisses that would shine the brightest light into the dim corners of Type O Negative’s world.
An album that gave Type of Negative some mainstream attention, tracks like “Christian Woman” and “Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)” attracted tremendous attention. Truly unlike much else being put out by any band at the time, even in the Gothic/Doom Metal realm, the mix of sludgy dark guitar riffs, a Pop almost Beatles sensibility, Steele’s haunting baritone singing, and lyrics that were impossible to ignore, Type of Negative’s Bloody Kisses is unquestionably a classic collection.
Too many, who perhaps felt disenfranchised, Bloody Kisses was a constant either in their Walkman or CD player. To others who were full of curiosity, it was a gateway into a morbid, textured music never heard before. With all of this in mind, Bloody Kisses has the distinction of being Type O Negative’s most successful record, attaining platinum-selling status.
Honored by others as one of the most outstanding Metal records ever recorded, it was even remastered and released as an expanded edition in 2009, complete with rarities and B-sides, and in 2024, released by Rhino as a lovely green colored vinyl under the title Bloody Kisses: Suspended In Dusk.
Now, fifteen years since Pete Steele’s somber passing at only forty-eight years old in 2010, Type O Negative’s legacy lives on. Celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of Bloody Kisses uniquely, in 2025, Z2 Comics released a graphic novel named Type O Negative: Bloody Kisses 30. A project many had anticipated since 2023, it was first thought the book would hit shelves in late spring 2024. However, unforeseen setbacks pushed the publication back, and at last, on February 18, 2025, it arrived in a hardcover binding that will excite many.
Inspired by the music that encompassed the album, Bloody Kisses, the graphic novel consists of eleven individual stories. Put together with love and care, those who contributed include Type O Negative friends such as Life of Agony’s Alan Robert as a writer/illustrator and Biohazard’s Billy Graziadei (who handles a lovely introduction), and Anthrax’s Charlie Benante, also as illustrator.
Great to see those who have a history with the band were involved, there are still so many other extraordinary names a part of the project, which includes writing from former Butcher Babies Frontwoman Carla Harvey (currently of The Violent Hour), Black Veil Brides’ Andy Biersack, New Years Day’s Ash Costello, Lacuna Coil’s Cristina Scabbia, and Fear Factory co-founder Burton C. Bell.
Each writer offering you short, yet stylish stories that remind you of Bloody Kisses’ sound, the illustrations from those like Thomas Tenney, Steve Kurth, Sean Pryor, Shane White, Seth Adams, Adam Markiewicz, among many others, add textured art you cannot forget. Unified together, the storylines matched with color and depth, this graphic novel is a fitting companion piece.
As stated, available in a solid hardcover, there is also a deluxe edition including the hardcover, double picture disc version of the album on vinyl featuring each of the four members of the band and collector’s card by Charlie Benante, a super limited edition including the hardcover, double picture disc version of the album on vinyl featuring each of the four members of the band, and collector’s card by Charlie Benante (limited to 666 units), along with a very limited number of the rare REPULSION demo cassette.
While the demo cassette is sold out, there are still other options to select from at z2comics.com, all of which are enticing. In the end, Z2 Comic’s Type O Negative: Bloody Kisses 30 release is a must-have for any Type O Negative fans, with Cryptic Rock giving it 5 out of 5 stars.
){kind=link}
No comment