The Sisters Of Mercy

Rock band formed in Leeds, UK, in 1980, by singer Andrew Eldritch and guitarist Gary Marx. They were soon joined by drummer Doktor Avalanche – the stage name for what became a long succession of drum machines. The band’s dark subject matter, literary references (Eldritch’s lyrics nod to anyone from Shelley to Leonard Cohen), cavernous reverb and black record sleeves led the music press to dub them a “goth rock” act, though the band has always rejected this description.