AVENUES OF OBLIVION
BALLET MÉCANIQUE
7″
MAY 1980
BETTER DAY RECORDS (BET3)
After making their live debut at the historical Concert of the Moment in November 1979, Identity – changing their name to Ballet Mécanique in January 1980 – was signed by the independent record company Better Day Records.
Shortly after signing the contract the label was sold to CBS (now Sony Music) on which the group’s debut album, The Icecold Waters of the Egocentric Calculation, was released in September 1981.
1. Avenues of Oblivion (3:45)
2. The Screen (3:17)
AVENUES OF OBLIVION
Electric music is ripping the air
Streets lit up by electricity
Coins of death call through the haze
Disparating conditions of minds
The avenues of oblivion touch your mind
Its sick fingers seek your energy
Shades of submission printed in the air
The corps of the silent army slowly move
Arms of death crawl the highs
Dancers of destruction scream
The preludes of tomorrow
Another rebellious transmission
The avenues of oblivion
The dancers of destruction
THE SCREEN
Outside, escapism in neon
The cancer city pulsates
Transmissions flimmer in the dark
Eyes of terror in bodies of carelessness
The echo of electricity shines in the room
Dullness slowly invades with triumph
Bloodshot eyes trying to forget
Mindless people hiding from reality
The screen, happy neon nights
Terrified people seek support
Empty smiles promising happiness
The subculture’s subjection
Martin Hall: Vocals, piano, guitar
Michael Karshøj: Drums
Morten Versner: Bass, violin
Design: Martin Hall
The “Avenues of Oblivion” single shows the early stage of a band in development, caught somewhere in between their punk inspiration and avant-garde rock ambitions. Martin Hall was 16 years old when the band recorded the single.
Today the single is a highly treasured collector’s item. Due to its high value the Danish National Radio keeps their version of the vinyl release in a special strongbox for particularly rare records.
Recorded and mixed at Werner Studio, spring 1980.
