How to Destroy Angels

How to Destroy Angels may refer to:

How to Destroy Angels (EP)

How to Destroy Angels is the debut single by Coil. At this point, the group consisted only of John Balance and Peter Christopherson. It was originally released in 1984 on L.A.Y.L.A.H. Antirecords, but was later re-pressed in 1988.

Background

The record has two songs on it, each taking up each one side of vinyl in its entirety. What the B-side contained fluctuated over repressings: the first edition contained noise-filled grooves, the second edition held playable, multi-layered music, and the third edition contained a flat, grooveless face.

Originally, "How to Destroy Angels" was intended to be the B-side of the track "Silence and Secrecy", but due to Christopherson and Balance leaving Psychic TV, owners of Temple Records, the idea was shelved. "Silence and Secrecy" has only been released in partial form by way of a two-minute excerpt on the Zos Kia and early Coil retrospective Transparent.

Both songs appeared, with additional remixes, on the album How to Destroy Angels (Remixes and Re-recordings).

How to Destroy Angels (Remixes and Re-Recordings)

How to Destroy Angels (Remixes and Re-Recordings) is a remix album by Coil. All of the songs are remixes from the 12" single of the same name. It contains different versions and mixes of the song "How To Destroy Angels", and features cover artwork by filmmaker Derek Jarman. The remixes were produced by John Balance, Peter Christopherson, and Steven Stapleton of Nurse With Wound. The song "Absolute Elsewhere" is blank and silent, as it was originally released. It is portrayed in this release as a single second of silence.

Tracks 1, 3, and 4 were remixed by John Balance. Tracks 2 and 5 were remixed by Peter Christopherson. Track 6 was remixed by Steven Stapleton.

The initial pressing of this release is affected by bronzing, a phenomenon common with pressings made by Philips Dupont Optical (PDO) at that time. The surface of CDs affected with bronzing change colour from silver to bronze or gold, eventually rendering the CD unplayable.

Track listing