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Formed in Melbourne during the heyday of punk (as the Boys Next Door), then relocated to London, the Birthday Party tore a swathe through early '80s rock 'n' roll, led by prophet-of-howl Nick Cave, on a mission to convert gothic obsessions with depravity and twisted religion into blazing, sulphurous soundscapes. [i]Prayers on Fire[/i] (1981), the first of only two full-length studio albums, makes a fine introduction to the band's artful chaos — feel the menacing rumble of "Nick the Stripper" (inspired, in part, by a bout of writer's block), with its ominous, dark clouds of brass, and join Cave in whooping like a berserker at the altar of "Zoo-Music Girl."

You might want to don protective garments as we further explore the band's finest recordings, in Next Steps.

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