I remember exactly where I was on October 4, 1994, as well as the exuberant joy I felt that day. For the two years leading up to this, my buddy Andy and I had developed an insatiable appetite for and devotion to the works of Glenn Danzig (Misfits -> Samhain -> Danzig). That stuff comprised a huge proportion of our daily listening rituals. In mid-1994 I was listening to Danzig 3: How the Gods Kill almost every day, and when Danzig 4p was announced I was giddy with excitement. I did not temper my expectations in the slightest. I wanted - expected - the greatest record Danzig had ever made.
On October 4th, we snuck out of school and drove to the nearest record store to buy 4p on release day. We secured our CDs and went to Andy’s basement for the initial listening session. The album’s opening track, “Brand New God,” opened up with Glenn howling a declaration that he - “a thing of torture to behold” - was back with a vengeance. The song then erupted into a frenzy that matched the warning.
The album blew away all my (lofty) expectations. It was everything I wanted or needed it to be. I’ve never felt that same level of satisfaction or excitement from a new release before or since. It was that magic moment, probably only achievable as a teenager, when music melds completely with the soul. I’ve kept this CD around for 26 years now as a reminder of that day and the power that music can have to bring joy and unite people. It’s seen better days, as it’s pretty tattered now, but I will never replace it.
