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The Dark - Chemical Warfare

Original Release Date

1982

Release Information

UK LP 1982 (Fresh - FRESH LP 9)
UK CD 2016 (Westworld Recordings - WW034CD)

1 Disintegrate 2:22
2 The Chemical Parade 2:58
3 Bullet In A Gun 2:10
4 French Toys 2:46
5 The Masque 3:44
6 All This And More 2:17
7 The Ballad Of John Wayne 3:27
8 On The Wires 2:18
9 The Pleasure Is Pain 3:47
10 Be A Man 3:09
11 Soldier Dolls 3:34
CD Bonus Tracks
12 My Friends 2:34
13 John Wayne 3:06
14 Hawaii Five O 2:22
15 Don't Look Now 4:29
16 Bullet In A Gun (Demo Version) 2:25
17 Einstein's Brain 2:47
18 Muzak 2:26
19 On The Wires 2:16
20 Shattered Glass 3:39
21 War Zone 2:10

Chart Placings

UK Indie Hit: 16, 4 wks

Credits

FRESH LP 9:

Phil Langham - lead vocals, bass, synthesizer, backing vocals and synth
Jim Bryson - lead guitar, synth, backing vocals, lead vocal on Pleasure Is Pain
Andy Riff - rhythm guitar and backing vocals
Jim Kane - drums and backing vocals

Chemical Warfare was recorded and mixed at Hallmark Studios in September / October 1981
Produced by Sean Purcell & The Dark
Engineered by Steve Hall

Additional Credits

CD Bonus Tracks:

12-13: My Friends 7", released November 1979 [not summer '79 as per the liner notes]
14-15: Hawaii Five O 7", released August 1980
16: unreleased
17-18: Einsteins Brain 7", released March 1981
19-20: On The Wires 7", released September 1981
21: B-Side of The Masque 7", released February 1982

Reviews & Opinions

CHARLES P. LAMEY, TROUSER PRESS: Two things conspired to keep England's Dark from finding the success they deserved. First, they didn't fit in with the trendy Britpunk image of the early '80s — they just were not fashionable enough in a land of mohawks. Second, Fresh Records was going out of business at the time of their debut's release, and it got little promotion from the label. Still, Chemical Warfare showcases a fine punk band — rough, aggressive, intelligent.

IAN CANTY, LOUDER THAN BOMBS: Though perhaps not quite up there with the best of the bands in that time frame, Chemical Warfare is a good listen and the singles tracks retain their considerable charm, particularly 'The Masque'. The Dark had talent but for one reason or another could not quite break into the big leagues, though at that point in time to do so they would have needed to have made themselves into a much more straightforward proposition – this kind of move would have also had the negative effect of taking away a large part of their identity. But we should appreciate them for what they were, a more than decent band that took the odd risk in a time when most played it safe.

Additional Notes

ROBIN CHAPHEKAR, DECEMBER 2017: The two images that appear on the Dark Chemical Warfare page are actually both mine. I produced the front cover illustration and the sleeve photo is also by me. I believe Nina Marcow did contribute some images to the inner sleeve but she had nothing to do with the 2 images that appear on your page.