Remixes? What was I thinking? €11.99 for a double LP pressed in white is already an argument. The fact that I like Theatre of Tragedy in all its different styles is another. And yet, if you, like me, detest remixes, you shouldn't buy it. As a fan who has to have all the albums, well. In the course of this review, I forced myself to listen to the whole album several times. And it actually slowly grooves into my brain and I find myself tapping my feet along. Still, remixes aren't my thing, but my opinion is now much less radical. And we prog heads are tolerant. Are we, aren't we? OR?

In 2019, AFM Records released the old remixes plus four new remixes as limited vinyl in clear red and white. Incidentally, Theatre of Tragedy (founded in 1993) had already disbanded in 2010. Gatefold, Remixed, White is the one presented here. And I like it more and more (but you don't like remixes, do you?).

The remixes run through the band's entire creative phase, which ranges from Gothic Metal, Dark Rock, Ambient, Industrial, and Dark Wave. The two-part vocals became characteristic, with the phase with Liv Kristin being the most formative for me. Every album, except Theatre of Tragedy, is represented by at least two remixes, Aegis only by one. Unfortunately, these remixes are not really new, so it is purely a compilation.

Which, for this scene, is quite something. Das Ich, Funker Vogt, Zeromancer, Ambrosius and others. And what is worth highlighting? For me there are four highlights and they are always where Liv Kristin's angelic voice meets technoid structures. Did I mention that I hate remixes? So: Das Ich with “And when he Falleth” and “Black as the Devil Painteth”. VNVNation with “Machine” and Funker Vogt with “Motion” are my highlights. If you don't like these remixes, you might feel encouraged to put on one of the original works. For example, “Assembly“ or the Debut „Theatre of Tragedy„.

This album made me rsomehow to change my opinion about remixes. I'm not going to become a huge fan now, but as a prog head we should definitely be open to other genres. Because that's what prog is all about. Theater of Tragedy isn't perceived as prog, but I'm a huge fan.

Theater of Tragedy, “Remixed”, Gatefold, 2 x LP, limited, remastered, white vinyl. Sits cleanly on the turntable and sounds clean too.

The photos are all from my LP. The rights to all motifs, logos, texts and fonts that can be seen in the photos are of course owned by the copyright holder.