Sisters of Mercy

Are they goth? Are they rock? Does it matter? The Sisters of Mercy have put together more than two decades of smash hits, public roustabouts, great lines, and other oddities. Okay, so they don't have any smash hits, but try telling that to the rabid fan base the Sisters have amassed — one that includes punkers, goths, and other assorted miscreants. Besides lead singer Andrew Eldritch's persistence across countries and lineups — including a very public mid-Eighties split involving lawsuits and public mudslinging — the oldest member of the group is Doktor Avalanche, an electronic drum machine that took over the rhythm section in the Nineties. The band hasn't released an album since 1990's Vision Thing, but its consistent tours are no revival-based cash cows. Concerts usually feature new songs and musical developments, to the chagrin of older fans. The group is seemingly purposefully obscure and antagonistic, often ridiculing press requests and members of the media. Say three Hail Marys, lace up that corset, and pray for rock.