The first phase of The Sisters of Mercy came to an end when the band broke up soon after the band finished the tour for their 1985 debut, First and Last and Always. Undaunted, the group’s founder and frontman Andrew Eldritch continued to make music, aided by his ever faithful drum machine Doktor Avalanche. The Sisters of Mercy came back stronger than ever in 1987 with their second album, Floodland, an even bigger commercial and artistic breakthrough.

The second incarnation of The Sisters — which featured bassist Patricia Morrison of Gun Club and now The Damned — explored new sonic avenues on Floodland. The tone was still dark and brooding, but now the guitars shared space with keyboards and the rich orchestrations of producer Jim Steinman (Meat Loaf) on tracks like “This Corrosion” and “Dominion/Mother Russia.” When the album was released in November 1987, it climbed the charts in the UK where it reached the Top Ten.

Along with the studio album, FLOODLAND ERA VINYL BOX SET includes a trio of 12” singles from that era too: “This Corrosion,” “Dominion” and “Lucretia My Reflection.” It features a different mix of the title track, along with the non-LP B-sides “Torch” and “Colours.”

The 12” version of the second single “Dominion” also appears in this set. It contains a different mix of “Dominion,” as well as three additional tracks: “Untitled,” “Sandstorm” and their unique cover of Hot Chocolate’s “Emma.” The third single, “Lucretia My Reflection” is represented here by the nine minute 12” version from 1988 that features the B-side “Long Train”, originally recorded in 1984. This new boxed set marks the digital debut for several of the songs featured on the 12” singles.