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.

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."

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."

Live performances

Throbbing Gristle played a new version of the soundtrack live during their April 2009 United States tour.
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".

Track listing

Charts

Chart Peak
position
UK Indie Chart23