01	The Girl Who Was... Death						41:06

The Girl Who Was... Death

First release: 03/89 on Hurdy Gurdy Records Cat. No. HG-1 (pre-release in cassette tapes 12/88)

A CONCEPT BY MR. DOCTOR
inspired by: Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner

LYRICS BY MR. DOCTOR
MUSIC BY MR. DOCTOR
music arranged by MR. DOCTOR & DEVIL DOLL

DEVIL DOLL;

MR. DOCTOR - MAN OF THOUSAND VOICES/ORGAN
EDOARDO BEATO - PIANO
KATIA GIUBBILEI - 2nd VIOLIN
ALBERT DORIGO - GUITAR
SASHA OLENJUK - 1st VIOLIN
LUCKO KODERMAC - DRUMS
BOR ZULJAN - GUITAR
JANI HACE -BASS
DAVOR KLARIC - KEYBOARDS

with:
PAOLO ZIZICH - BACKING VOX
MOJCA SLOBKO - HARP
THE DEVIL CHORUS conducted by MARIAN BUNIC

Recorded at Tivoli Studios~ Ljubljana, Yugoslavia (now Slovenia)
Mixed: Tivoli Studios
Produced by Mr. Doctor
Cover concept: Mr. Doctor
Lettering: Mr. Doctor
Artwork: Mr. Doctor
Photos; Sergio Sutto
Films: G.Paolo Fallani

Tracks: THE GIRL WHO WAS... DEATH... 38.48 + 1.56
(Between the album and the "CODA" there are 26'20" of silence: total running time is 66'06", number 6 being the main character of "THE PRISONER". Other note that 666 is also the apocalyptic number of "THE GREAT BEAST")

Different releases:
EUROPE

-on HURDY GURDY RECORDS Cat.No. HG-1 The following different editions exist:

*THE GIRL WHO WAS... DEATH BOXED SET LP:
original 1989 pressing with "intro" and "outro";
made exclusively to band members 10 numbered copies in amazing hard box with black velvet folder hand written lyrics, various hand made artworks & inserts. Every copy has completely different inserts.

*THE GIRL WHO ...... DEATH gatefold cover LP
+ printed innersleeve: original 1989 pressing with "Intro" and "Outro".
500 copies pressed: 150 distributed at live show, 350 destroyed.
All copies include various inserts mostly hand made.
Every copy has completely different inserts.

*THE GIRL WHO ...... DEATH gatefold cover LP reissue
released 1994 by the Devil Doll Fan Club: no "Intro", no "Outro";
slightly remixed; altered innersleeve. 500 copies only.

*THE GIRL WIIO ...... DEATH CD +8 page booklet

U.S.A.

-on RENAISSANCE RECORDS with Cat.No. RCD-1008:

*THE GIRL WHO WAS... DEATH
Same booklet as 12-page European pressing/Picture CD

*THE GIRL WHO WAS... DEATH CD
as part of a 4CD BOX in black silk pouch with free Devil Doll patch,
sticker and 12-page booklet with Devil Doll Chronology, exclusive photos and sheet music.
Page 11 is hand-inscribed by Mr. Doctor (each copy has completely different words hand written).
Limited edition 333 numbered copies. Picture CD.
The first 30 boxes come in a cm. 32 x 17 x 13 black coffin and in velvet pouch (black or violet) instead of black silk pouch.

JAPAN

-on BELLE ANTIQUE RECORDS with Cat. No. MAR-95101:

*THE GIRL WHO WAS... DEATH CD this is the original European edition,
but it comes with a second exclusive booklet and Japanese OBI.



Devil Doll - The Girl who was Death

Devil Doll: never afraid to shun hair conditioner

The link between dark forces, Satan, Hades, evil etc. and music goes deep into the recesses of history, from the rattling of spiritual drums by primitive cultures, through periods when men wore fuck off wigs, dressed like women and plonked harpsichords to their heart's content, right through to the electronic age where heavy metal tossers (with mullets) placed messages in reverse on LPs (always a preferable experience to hearing the thing played the right way) or axe gods who sold their souls for extended personal ability and success:
For whatever reason prog seemed to sidestep the spectre of everything red and hot for the pastoral inspirations of social metaphor, goblins and the ridiculous (exceptions such as Aphrodites Child's 666 are just to amusing to be regarded sinister). It also seems unlikely that Rick Wakeman sold his soul in order to gain inspiration to create 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' or to whether albums released by the prog proletariat such as 'Topographic Oceans', 'The Snow Goose' and 'Abacab' were intentionally meant to scare the sweet Jesus out of their listeners.

But in the early 1990s all this changed: Enter stage left Devil Doll from a small decaying village in Italy, and led by a man calling himself Mr Doctor who doesn't refer to his musical colleagues as a band but (gulp) as a 'sect' and by Jesus we're in the Dark Lords flavour country:

More importantly, however, 'Devil Doll' are absolutely fucking hilarious.

First thing to say about Mr Doctor is that this is one seriously troubling individual. Either that or the guy's pulling one of the biggest irony gags in the history of prog which seems, as with most such examples, unlikely - in fact about as likely as me waking up tomorrow discovering (a) Cameron Diaz lying next to me (b) a 14 inch love sabre nestling between my legs and (c) Jordon clearing up my flat wearing nothing but a single red rose sticking out of her bottom.

To start with, the CD cover and booklet is adorned with a whole host of unnerving images - the sort of black and white stuff that radiates the stench of 1920's freak shows and bleak Victorian ambience. The written scrawl of the lyrics meander through the booklet like the ghastly code of a psychopath. Make no mistake, Mr Doctor does not get out enough:

'The Girl Who was Death' is, according to our friend in the straight jacket, inspired by the TV series 'The Prisoner' which graced our screens through the 1960s. If you can identify a link, please email me at the Cape because I'm fucked if I can find one.

So, even before you put the CD in the player (and like any good prog fan you will have scrutinised every inch of the booklet and packaging before doing so) one has a fair idea that this will not be like Pendragon.

Devil Doll's music is a nothing less than a bizarre blend of sparse piano segments married against a whole host of counter themes and styles from film noir sonics, to heavy riffing, to violin led frenzy, to melancholic cello-led darkness and symphonic swells.

Of course the real hilarity begins when our friend the Doctor opens his mouth.

Mr Doctor's vocals are err umm unique. Rather than sing he narrates his lyrical visions with a contrast of rasps, screeches, throat noiseology, whispers and shouts which, for the main, sits over the piano sections which lay the foundation for all of DDs err work - and sit about as comfortably as a gay black man at a National Front Tupperware party: Mr D fancies himself as the Devil incarnate, make no mistake of that.

Of course what he achieves is something quite different - Devil Doll is one of the most damn right hilarious and preposterous things ever to be fired from the world cannon of progressive rock. By the time you've listened the album through your bladder will be aching, straining for release. You may even piss your pants, it's that funny.

Describing what the whole thing sounds like is near impossible but I guess a good analogy would be that of a pissed up Circus master from a Victorian freak show jamming with the bloke that played the piano down your local cinema (but in 1905), a rather bastardised version of the Corrs and err Marillion. Yes, unbelievable as it may sound through the comedy, dark imagery and Victorian dank you cant help but sense a certain neo-prog underbelly at times.

Devil Doll are fantastic - they are more foolish than Magma, more silly than Jordon's tits and have a lead vocalist that makes Daniel Gidenlow sound like Kylie. You have to say that in places the music is actually very good especially some of the atmospheric instrumental passages. Of course the comedy of Mr Doctor soon ensures that such issues become redundant.

Devil Doll ought to be The Glitzy Cape's long lost brother. They are fucking ridiculous: just don't tell the Dark One we said so.

Glitzy Ratings

Music - a heady mix of dark piano, dark atmospheres, err dark shades oh and of course Satan on mic

Lyrics - Err dark, dark and umm very very very very silly

Likely band hobbies
(i) Mr Doctor - masturbating in faeces with a barb-wire glove
(ii) the others - keeping the fuck away from Mr Doctor

Best listening environment - The local W.I. Bingo night

Rodborth


Devil Doll.


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When you're really into prog you re always looking for something new, something which you would like to discover long before any of your friends do. In the sudden re-interest of the genre there are so many upcoming bands that you get many a chance to find such a band but you only get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to discover and explore something really unique, something extremely precious, something breathtaking and 100% genuine.

That something is called DEVIL DOLL, a combination of progressive rock, thrash metal, punk and classical music and just like the mysterious situation which still hangs around the RESIDENTS, you don't really know who DEVIL DOLL really is! DEVIL DOLL is the brain of one super original mind, someone we can call a classic composer from the new age, someone who calls himself Mr. Doctor. Throughout all of his albums, Mr. Doctor weaves his obsession with theatrical black and white horror sceneries. In the middle of the bombastic music he places his operatic eerie vocals as inaccessible as possible!

Founded in march 1987 there originally is a DEVIL DOLL active in Venice, Italy and one in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia. At the end of the year Mr. Doctor records his first album of which he wants to press only one copy. His wish is granted and in February '88 only one copy of The Mark Of The Beast' is pressed, housed in a sleeve handpainted by the brain, Mr. Doctor himself! Based on the British television series The Prisoner, rehearsals begin for the new project to be called 'The Girl Who Was Death'. In March 1989 a small quantity of 500 vinyl copies are pressed. During DEVIL DOLL's second concert Mr. Doctor distributes 150 copies of the album througout the audience. The remaining 350 copies are destroyed! This rare first pressing is the only one to feature both the intro and outro based on The Prisoner's theme, music which will be omitted from all forthcoming re-releases thus making the original very rare and extremely sought after!

On august 18th, Mr. Doctor performs his own versions of 14 songs by German composer Hans Eisler. The sheduled vinyl album 'Mr. Doctor Sings Hans Eisler' only reaches the test pressing stage and all future release is completely abandonned. In May 1990 the first vinyl pressing of 'Eliogabalus' is issued in a die-cut theatre cover in a limited run of only 50 copies! In 1991 due to the war situation in Yugoslavia, Mr. Doctor decides to join both DEVIL DOLL bands into one. In December recordings for the new album begin whilst the DEVIL DOLL fanclub welcomes it's 1000th member! In March the next year the band performs the entire new album 'Sacrilegium' whilst incorporating segments from the film 'The Sacrilege Of Fatal Arms' which has been written and directed by Mr. Doctor.

In July 1993 DEVIL DOLL enters the Tivoli studios in Ljubljana to record the new album provisionally called 'Dies Irae (The Day Of Wrath)'. Unfortunately whilst Mr. Doctor is mixing the album a fire breaks out destroying the entire studio ... and the tapes! Unannounced, the band plays concerts in Venice and Ljubljana in June '94 to perform material from 'Dies Irae' and newly to be recorded work. In August, the Hurdy Gurdy label reaches an agreement with American based Renaissance Records to re-release all four titles on a limited run of 1000 copies issued as picture discs. To top it all a very limited set is released on 333 copies containing all four discs in an embroidered pouch with a special booklet personally inscribed by the mystery man himself, Mr. Doctor. Selling at $100 it surely is not the cheapest release but apart from the superb music you can see it as a safe investment because 333 copies worldwide will make this one of the must-haves in years to come. At present DEVIL DOLL is re-recording the 'Dies Irae' album which should be released very soon now.

In May 1994, Record Collector magazine did a feature on Devil Doll (page 143). Practically all of the band's releases have values of ё20, ё30 and even more placed next to them although if you contact the fanclub you can still obtain most of the material at around ё12. Record collector has it about the 'pre-empted' vinyl fanclub edition of 'Sacrilegium' which strangely enough more than one year later I was able to buy a mint copy of through the fanclub. So do get in touch with the DEVIL DOLL fanclub c/o Rossana Pistolato at the following address: San Marco 5499. 30124 Venezia, Italy.

Don't forget to include an IRC. In return you will receive a complete list of what's available together with the prices. From the fanclub you can also buy some unique limited DEVIL DOLL T-shirts! For your information: one pound equals 2350 lire (check your bank for exact amount) If you want to buy yourself an early christmas present then by all means buy one of the 333 (half of the devil ?) limited sets from Michael Piper at:
The Wild Places, 621 'A' Hanover street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA.
Hurry because he might be sold out very soon You can give him a ring on (408)427-3043 or fax (408)427-0643. You won't regret it!

DEVIL DOLL complete discography:

THE MARK OF THE BEAST (Feb '88) - only one copy!
THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH {Hurdy Gurdy HG-1}(March '89) - 500 vinyl copies of which 350 are destroyed.
ELIOGABALUS {Hurdy Gurdy HG-6}(May '90) - 50 vinyl copies in die-cut theatre sleeve.
ELIOGABALUS {Hurdy Gurdy HG-6}(July 90) - vinyl re-issue in same artwork without die-cut cover by Hurdy Gurdy label (sold out).
ELIOGABALUS {Hurdy Gurdy HG-6}(July 90) - alternate vinyl pressing in different gatefold cover in limited numbered edition of 9Q0 copies released by Devil Doll fanclub (sold out).
ELIOGABALUS {Hurdy Gurdy HG-6}(Sep 90) - CD release by Hurdy Gurdv (still available at 25,000 lire).
ELIOGABALUS {Hurdy Gurdy HG-6}(Sep 90) - CD release by Devil Doll fanclub with different booklet in limited numbered run of 900 copies (very few available at 25,000 lire!).
SACRlLEGIUM {Hurdy Gurdy HG-7}(May 92) - CD release only on Hurdy Gurdy (available at 25'000 lire).
SACRILEGIUM {Hurdy Gurdy HG-7}(May 92) - vinyl edition limited to 900 numbered copies housed in gatefold cover designed by Mr Doctor released through Devil Doll fanclub (very few available at 25,000 lire but hurry!).
THE SACRILEGE OF FATAL ARlUS {Hurdy Gurdy HG-8}(Jan '93) - CD only release by Devil Doll fanclub on 900 copies (sold out in 72 hours!).
THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH {Hurdy Gurdv HG-1RE}(May '93) - vinyl re-release by Devil Doll fanclub on 500 copies but without original intro and outro (sold out).
THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH {Hurdy Gurdv HG-lRE}(Dec 93) - CD release bv Devil Doll fanclub with original intro on 120Q copies.
MR. DOCTOR SINGS HANS EISLER {Hurdy Gurdv HG-5}(1993) - CD with booklet.
THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH - CD release by Hurdy Gurdyy American label Renaissance/Wild Places distribution as picture disc on 1000 copies (available from fanclub at 35,000 lire).
ELIOGABALUS (Aug '94) - CD re-release by American label Renaissance/Wild Places distribution as picture disc on 1000 copies (available from fanclub at 35,000 lire).
SACRELIGIUM (Aug '94) - CD re-release by American label Renaissance/Wild Places distriution as piture disc on 1000 copies (available from fanclub a[ 35.000 lire).
THE SACRELIDGE OF FATAL ARMS (Aug '94) - CD re-release by American label Renaissance/Wild Places distribution as picture disc on 1000 copies (available from fanclub at 35.000 lire).
DEVIL DOLL COMPLETE WORKS (Aug '94) - embroidered pouch containing all four CD's as picture discs, with sticker and special bonus booklet personally inscribed with a unique message from Mr. Doctor, numbered and limited to 333 copies.
DES IRAE ('95) pre-orders are being taken by the fan club. The CD version will cost 30.000 lire postage included.


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DEVIL DOLL

Discography:
The Girl Who Was...Death / 1989
Eliogabalus / 1990
Sacrilegium / 1992
Sacrilege of Fatal Arms / 1993
Dies Irae / 1996
Fan Websites:
http://www.geocities.com/lordenchanter/devil.htm
http://www.rockmine.com/ProgRock/BoBo/Devdoll.html
http://www.geocities.com/erauch.geo


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The Girl Who Was...Death 1989 Hurdy Gurdy Records

Devil Doll is an interesting concept. Esentially the brainchild of one man - enigmatically known as Mr. Doctor - with enlisted help from various guest musicians, the band's output must be heard to really be understood. The most convenient pigeonhole into which to cram Devil Doll is rock opera, but when you get down to brass tacks, they're not really rock opera at all.

The Girl Who Was...Death is Mr. Doctor's first public release (legend has it he recorded another album before this, but only pressed one copy for himself), and the most rock-based of all his releases. Beginning a trend that continues through his later works, the disc is comprised of only one track (66:06 long...cute), which demands the listener sit all the way through. This is not the only feature that makes The Girl Who Was...Death a difficult work; the vocals are definitely an acquired taste, although more normal here than on any other Devil Doll effort. The music itself, executed well by hired guns, is quite engaging, despite the fact it straddles many ideas with occasional gracelessness. Rock and classical are the two dominant genres on this disc, with a little vaudeville thrown into the mix.

With such varied styles combined well overall, this release's strongest point is the mood it creates. Adding to this are the lyrics, which are strange and, in this case, based on the cult British television show "The Prisoner". They mesh well with the background music, and are always delivered in an appropriate voice. Often hard to track down - Devil Doll hails from Slovenia, and is signed to the obscure Hurdy Gurdy Records - this band's efforts are worth one's efforts in finding. Sound samples are definitely a good idea beforehand, unless one is particularly adventurous, because this music is very left of centre and cannot possibly have universal appeal. Those who do enjoy it, though, are quite fortunate to be privy to such neat stuff.

Review by Meagan Parent

7/01

1. The girl who was...death

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Eliogabalus 1990 Hurdy Gurdy Records

Somewhat of an abberation in its track indexing - two "short" twenty minute pieces instead of a single forty-five minute one - Eliogabalus garners the dubious distinction of being my least favourite Devil Doll release. This is not to say it's bad, only that most of its duration is spent touching on, but not really exploring, good ideas. The main problem with this is that whenever I listen to this album, I find myself wanting to play either of the more fully realized Sacrilegium or Dies Irae instead.

All that aside, this release has its fair share of interesting moments, some of which are among my favourite Devil Doll sections overall. Discernible in the music is the subtle movement away from rock, and toward the bombastic weirdness for which Devil Doll's later albums are famous (if the term "famous" applies). Though the musicianship and production are superlative, and no less is ever accomplished by the supporting cast on any release, Mr. Doctor's vocals become a bigger sticking point on the way to enjoying this disc than they were for The Girl Who Was..Death. Apparently having decided that his somewhat odd singing voice wasn't wholly appropriate to his new music (and he was right, for what it's worth), our favourite madman discards it, for the most part, in favour of altogether affecting dramatic recitations. They frightened my kid sister and all but one of the people I've tried to introduce to the band's music, to the point of distaste. As usual, his lyrics are eccentric, to put it mildly, but that should come as no surprise.

Again, Devil Doll must be experienced firsthand to be believed - and while this isn't terribly helpful to the curious, it's the absolute truth. Those who enjoy the first album will enjoy this, as it is a completely natural progression, but those who are acquainted with the later output will most likely find Eliogabalus at least somewhat tepid when compared with the sheer excellence of what comes next.

Review by Meagan Parent

7/01



DEVIL DOLL - Reviews
The Girl Who Was... Death



DEVIL DOLL - The Girl Who Was... Death

Devil Doll is one of the top Progressive bands in the world today. With these new USA pressings from Renaissance we can only hope their music becomes more popular. Note that most of these reissues feature new packaging designed by Mr Doctor. (Not that we would have seen the original copies in NZ, but if you should be lucky enough to have a copy/ies look after them because their value will soar). So who are Devil Doll ?......well read on. "The Girl Who Was Death" is a conceptual work based around 'The Prisoner' television series starring Patrick McGoohan (now a cult classic). Each section of the composition corresponds to one of the shows 17 episodes. The music embodies the same dark energy that permeates the later Devil Doll albums. What is interesting about the early Devil Doll sound is that it has more of a subtle rock approach. It's hard to imagine Mr Doctor actually singing lyrics as opposed to his usual tortured recitation, but on "The Girl Who Was Death" he actually does sing on occasions. The music features a throbbing Paganotti-like bass-line over a broad symphonic approach. Like "Eliogabalus", this album features exquisite violin, guitar and piano from the assortment of Italian and Yugoslavian musicians that emcompass the sect of Devil Doll. On this particular recording there is even a larger sound with the addition of harp, keyboards and choir. Overall what you get here is a D.D. that rocks out a bit more than on the later albums, but every bit as intense.

...from the "Cranium Music" Homepage
http://www.cranium.co.nz



DEVIL DOLL - The Girl Who Was... Death

The very first album delivered by the insane mind of Mr. Doctor. Although very difficult to define, the music in this album is absolutely brilliant. Inspired by the movie, "The Prisoner", the Girl Who Was Death is a brilliant masterpiece, adorned with orchestral instruments, psychotic vocals, and brilliant musicianship.
...from the "Dark Symphonies" Homepage
http://www.darksymphonies.com.htm



DEVIL DOLL - The Girl Who Was... Death

Another release of strange weirdness from ex-Yugoslavia with the good Doctor and his chums. Supposedly a celebration of the cult TV show "The Prisoner", this contains all the usual surreality, laced with the stench of death, insanity and devil worship...

...from the "Freak Emporium Mail Order" Homepage
http://www.delerium.co.uk/freak_emporium.html



DEVIL DOLL - The Girl Who Was... Death

Their first album, this is more rock oriented than later material although, like the later, such parts are tasteful and brief. The album is a 20th Anniversary homage to the cult English TV series "The Prisoner". The CD is 66:06 minutes long (6 is a significant number in `The Prisoner') of which only 39 minutes or so is actual music. The rest is silence until about 63:00 when one finds the intro credits to the series followed by a rock version of the title music. The music on the disc is high quality for a debut. Darkly atmospheric blends of accordion, violin, piano and harp puntuated with appropriate rock elements in places. Mr Doctor actually sings occasionally rather than the angst-ridden vocal style he adopts for the dureation on later albums. It is quite difficult to say anything particularly useful about the music as it is really rather eclectic and original. Classical sounding in places, choral, folky and rock in others. This album shows diversity within a common framework of approach that really matures with later releases. Definitely a worthwhile album.

...from the Homepage of "Phil Kime"
http://www.cogsci.ed.ac.uk/~philkime/music/musicdb.html



DEVIL DOLL - The Girl Who Was... Death

Italy. Based on the british (??) tv series "The Prisoner", this album is Devil Doll's debut. Not bad, but I'm starting to think that all of the Devil Doll albums are sounding quite alike.The album runs 66:06 minutes (get the significance of the 3 6's??) which includes almost 24 minutes of complete silence (just to get your cd player to keep spinning) to drag the album out to 66:06 on your cd player. The silence starts at around 39:00 and continues to 64:00 where you hear 2 minutes worth of footage from the series "The Prisoner".I'm not so sure I am keen on that. But again, I don't take Devil Doll seriously and may end up trading/selling a few of my Devil Doll cd's anyhow. You have to be in the mood to hear Devil Doll (more so than other prog bands) and all-too-often, I go weeks at a time without popping in the DD cd's. Something tells me perhaps I may have too many DD cd's? This album is typical Devil Doll and has many enjoyable moments but not as impressive as Dies Irae.
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5

...from the Prog-Net Homepage
Reviewed by Theron Kousek; Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
http://www.prog.net



DEVIL DOLL - The Girl Who Was... Death

Tracklist: 1. The Girl Who Was... Death
Release Year: 1989
Label: Hurdy Gurdy Records

Devil Doll is an interesting concept. Esentially the brainchild of one man - enigmatically known as Mr. Doctor - with enlisted help from various guest musicians, the band's output must be heard to really be understood. The most convenient pigeonhole into which to cram Devil Doll is rock opera, but when you get down to brass tacks, they're not really rock opera at all.
The Girl Who Was...Death is Mr. Doctor's first public release (legend has it he recorded another album before this, but only pressed one copy for himself), and the most rock-based of all his releases. Beginning a trend that continues through his later works, the disc is comprised of only one track (66:06 long...cute), which demands the listener sit all the way through. This is not the only feature that makes The Girl Who Was...Death a difficult work; the vocals are definitely an acquired taste, although more normal here than on any other Devil Doll effort. The music itself, executed well by hired guns, is quite engaging, despite the fact it straddles many ideas with occasional gracelessness. Rock and classical are the two dominant genres on this disc, with a little vaudeville thrown into the mix.
With such varied styles combined well overall, this release's strongest point is the mood it creates. Adding to this are the lyrics, which are strange and, in this case, based on the cult British television show "The Prisoner". They mesh well with the background music, and are always delivered in an appropriate voice. Often hard to track down - Devil Doll hails from Slovenia, and is signed to the obscure Hurdy Gurdy Records - this band's efforts are worth one's efforts in finding. Sound samples are definitely a good idea beforehand, unless one is particularly adventurous, because this music is very left of centre and cannot possibly have universal appeal. Those who do enjoy it, though, are quite fortunate to be privy to such neat stuff.
Review by Meagan Parent, 7/2001

...from the Satan Stole My Teddybear Homepage
http://www.chedsey.com/




Devil Doll - The Girl Who Was....Death

Release Date: 1989

Track Listing
1) The girl who was...Death 38:47

Member: maribor
Date: 12/1/2003
Format: CD (Album)

This album written solely by the hand of Mr. Doctor is a fascinating combination of different styles. The music is unique and could be described as a mixture of classical music, rock, metal, folk and other styles as well.

I'll begin with what bothered me on this album. Mr. Doctor's vocals are to me puzzling. He sings in a number of different styles and is deservedly called a man of a thousand voices. But I wasn't fascinated by it, actually, it bothered me at first but you get used to it. Some people would call this a god given talent and I would tend to agree but I prefer a more straightforward singer, who actually sings and not only pronounces the words in a number of different styles. He's got a knack for the dramatic, I'll give him that and occasionally I even enjoyed his vocal acrobatics but I miss more straightforward singing.

There are many more good characteristics on this album than bad. For one thing, the composition of this piece is impeccable; there are a lot of violin inserts and a beautiful harp intro. All the instruments play equal parts in the composition with perhaps a bit more stress on keyboards, especially the piano.

Mr. Doctor is indeed a man of many talents but for me his main talent lies in composing. He's managed to create a piece that is able to send shivers down your spine at a given moment and leave you wanting for more.



c2001 - 2003 Progressive Ears