MANIC STREET PREACHERS TO RELEASE 20TH ANNIVERSARY ‘GENERATION TERRORISTS’ TRIPLE CD
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its release, Manic Street Preachers are re-issuing their legendary 18 track debut album ‘Generation Terrorists’ – on Bonfire Night.
The double album will be available as: Anniversary Edition – 1CD, Legacy Edition – 2CD/DVD, Limited Edition Collector’s Edition – 3CD/DVD/Book/10” Vinyl, 12” 180g double vinyl gatefold LP and as a Download.
Featuring the entire original album re-mastered; unheard exclusive songs and demos; unseen film footage and home movies; unique artwork from the Welsh band’s colourful archive; rare and unseen photos; legendary tv performances and a new essay from band biographer Simon Price, each format is a beautifully packaged piece of memorabilia for Manics fans old and new.
On the albums initial release in February 1992 it was seen as a statement of intent – a debut double album filled with iconic tracks that would go on to become firm favourites still played at shows today. Of course, most people already had an opinion of these glam-punk South Wales upstarts before hearing it, their incendiary interviews and outlandish live appearance invoking outrage and devotion in equal measure. The singles ‘New Art Riot’, ‘Motown Junk’, and ‘You Love Us’ had introduced the music press and radio to a new sound totally unlike the grunge and shoegazing bands dominating the headlines. Dismissed by some as nothing more than publicity junkies, the release of ‘Generation Terrorists’ saw the Manics transcend the hype and make their mark as one of the most important British rock bands of the last two decades.
Comprising of cult favourites and classic singles, the album saw the band showcase their vitriolic and fiercely intelligent lyrics, sophisticated songwriting and musicianship. Opener ‘Slash ‘N’ Burn’ showcased Bradfield’s jaw-dropping guitar skills; the group brought in Public Enemy’s production squad The Bomb Squad to remix ‘Repeat’; ‘Nat West – Barclays – Midlands – Lloyds’ was a swipe at the banking industry that seems more relevant now than ever. Former porn-star Traci Lords joined on vocals for ‘Little Baby Nothing’ establishing the tradition of Manics duets and of course, ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’ – still one of the Manics greatest moments – through the confusion and criticisms as to whether they were ‘4 Real’ – this track silenced the doubters and became a true rock classic which still sounds as thrilling and relevant now as on its release.
The band ended 2011 with the release of the singles collection ‘National Treasures’ and an epic sold-out Christmas show at the O2 in London where they played all 38 songs from the album. Having played a European tour and several dates in the Fast East in 2012 they are currently working on their eleventh studio album.
