Release of The Gospel According to the Meninblack

Following the success of the Stranglers’ previous four albums they were given complete freedom for their next, The Gospel According to the Meninblack , a concept album exploring religion and the connection between religious phenomena and extraterrestrial visitors. It was preceded by a single “Who Wants the World”, which did not appear on the album, and just made the top 40. The album also included “Waltzinblack” which became adopted as a theme by TV chef Keith Floyd . The Gospel According to The Meninblack was different from their earlier work and alienated many fans. It peaked on the UK Albums Chart at No. 8, their lowest placing to date, and in 1981 was widely considered an artistic and commercial failure. The track “Two Sunspots” had been recorded during the Black And White sessions in 1978, but was shelved until 1980 when it was rediscovered and placed on The Gospel According to the Meninblack . The “Meninblack” track from The Raven is the “Two Sunspots” soundtrack slowed down.