Product Description

The tragic and unresolved disappearance of Richey Edwards looms larger than life every time this album is played. Just as they were being hailed as the potential "next big thing",the band was thrown into disarray, and as a result, this credible album was somewhat overlooked while the world searched for Richey. Now that the dust has settled and people have accepted his likely demise, this album can at last be appreciated. Even though the spoken introduction "Of Walking Abortion" is spookily prophetic, the understated quality of all the songs puts this album much closer to the gigantic EVERYTHING MUST GO than its success would indicate.

Track Listing

1. Yes
2. Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayitsworldwouldfallapart
3. Of Walking Abortion
4. She Is Suffering
5. Archives Of Pain
6. Revol
7. 4st 7lb
8. Mausoleum
9. Faster
10. This Is Yesterday
11. Die In The Summertime
12. Intense Humming Of Evil
13. PCP

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8164 in Music
• Released on: 2002-11-04
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Holy Bible is the sound of a band plunging into chaos, taking in such joyous subjects as the holocaust ("The Intense Humming Of Evil"), prostitution ("Yes"), anorexia ("4st 7lb") and general despair (everything else). Needless to say, the majority of it was written by guitarist Richey Edwards, just before he was hospitalised for depression. It's not the easiest album in the world to listen to, with James Bradfield often having to cram all the words together to fit them all in, but it's worth the perseverance. The dark, gothic (but never Goth) guitars compliment the black mood of "Yes" and the alternately narcissistic and disgusted "Faster" (which samples the film version of Orwell's masterpiece, 1984), while the gentle, acoustic "This Is Yesterday" often sounds close to breaking. Suffice to say, this is not a party record, but for pure, intelligent hatred, of the self and of others, it is fascinating, and still one of the Manics greatest moments. -- Emma Johnston

Customer Reviews

Overrated
Every reviewer seems to go on and on about how great the lyrics are in this album, and that's this album in a nutshell. Musically it has little to offer, and compared to Everything Must Go or the more similar Generation Terrorists it's really quite embarrassing.
The music is very simplistic and underproduced.

The parallells that some ppl draw between this album and In Utero by Nirvana is just insane. This album isn't even half the masterpiece In Utero is.

I would only recommend this album to lyric-freaks and to major fans who already own the 4 albums that sandwiched it.

curled into a quarter circle
it's been eleven years since i first heard "the holy bible", and since then it has never stopped being my favourite album of all time.
from the stripped-down sound, which contrasts hugely with the polished, almost stadium-rock feel of their previous two albums, to the bleakness of the lyrics, this album is a horrifically beautiful showcase of a band in mental meltdown. several songs, such as "faster" and "mausoleum", build from a regimented start to a frantic, disordered climax, the words and ideas barely contained within the musical restraints; at times the transparency the songs afford into Richey Edward's mental state makes the listener feel almost voyeuristic, certainly queasy.
of course it's not the best album ever (as if anyone is qualifed to judge that), and there is no question that it is flawed; "the intense humming of evil" is a bit of a plodder, musically, and the mere song title "die in the summertime" pushes the limits of allowable teenage angst.
it's claustrophobic, disorientating and extremely un-easy listening, but also intelligent, powerful, out of control, utterly unique...

Suicide, Angst, Despair, Nihilism, Death, Genocide, Murder, Depression, Hatred, Self Harm, Sadness, Corruption.
The majority of listening audiences should approach this record with EXTREME caution. This is truly one of most harrowing achievements that British music has to offer, and i discovered it at just the right time. Anybody out there who is genuinely pissed off and frustrated with the world should buy this album. It's too cathartic for words. However, whilst providing the casual Misanthrope with some respite, be warned. ''The Holy Bible'' may just push you over the edge. I can relate to the themes in this bonifide work of art only too well, and it really made me feel less alone on the planet and re-assured me that i wasn't as weird as i thought i was.

I haven't listened to this in years, and i rarely even mention it to anyone, but i absolutely love this cd.

The best collection of songs the Manics ever recorded.

Anyone who enjoys the pop/indie exploits of the group nowadays need not apply though, trust me. You just won't understand this record at all.