In the Shadow of the Sun (album)

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 Throbbing Gristle
Released	February 1984
Label	Illuminated
Throbbing Gristle chronology
Editions-Frankfurt, Berlin (1983) In the Shadow of the Sun (1984) Sacrifice (1986)
Alternate cover

Background

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

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

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

The Wire described the soundtrack as "dark and mournful".[4]

Track listing

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

Side A

No.	Title	Length
1.	"In the Shadow of the Sun Pt. 1"

Side B

No.	Title	Length
1.	"In the Shadow of the Sun Pt. 2"

Charts

Chart (1984)	Peak position
UK Indie Chart[5]	23

Bibliography

• Ford, Simon (1999). Wreckers of Civilization: The Story of COUM Transmissions & Throbbing Gristle. London: Black Dog.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Peake, Tony (1999). Derek Jarman: A Biography. Woodstock, New York: The Overlook Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

References

1. 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. Parker, C., ed. (2007). The Wire. Missing or empty |title= (help)
5. Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1989. Cherry Red Books. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2014.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)