Sex & Religion

Sex & Religion is a studio album by guitarist Steve Vai, released under the band name "Vai" on July 23, 1993 through Relativity Records. It is known as the first major appearance of future Devin Townsend Project and Strapping Young Lad singer and guitarist Devin Townsend, who performed vocals for the album. Townsend also co-wrote the tracks "Pig" and "Just Cartilage", the latter of which was only released as a bonus track in Japan. Vai also co-wrote "In My Dreams with You" with Desmond Child and Roger Greenawalt.

For attitudes of various religions toward sex, see Religion and sexuality.
Sex & Religion
Studio album by
Vai
ReleasedJuly 27, 1993 (1993-07-27)[1]
RecordedThe Mothership Studio in Hollywood Hills
GenreHeavy metal, hard rock, instrumental rock
Length59:18
LabelRelativity
ProducerSteve Vai
Steve Vai chronology
Passion and Warfare
(1990)		 Sex & Religion
(1993)		 Alien Love Secrets
(1995)
Devin Townsend chronology
Sex & Religion
(1993)		 Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing
(1995)
Singles from Sex & Religion
  1. "In My Dreams with You"
    Released: 1993[2]
  2. "Down Deep into the Pain"
    Released: 1993[3]

Sex & Religion reached No. 48 on the U.S. Billboard 200,[2] No. 17 in the UK albums chart and also charted within the top 60 in four other countries.[4] "In My Dreams with You" was released as a single, reaching No. 36 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.[2]

The album's cover art appears to be a reference to the famous artistic depictions of Saint Sebastian.

Background and conflict

For Sex & Religion, Vai wished to put together a band of "monster musicians" which included himself, Townsend, drummer and fellow Frank Zappa alumnus Terry Bozzio, and bassist T. M. Stevens. It was originally intended for each musician to contribute ideas and play a large role in the creative process, but Vai ended up micro-managing the whole project, which caused much conflict during the making of the album. As Vai explains,[5] there was heavy expectation to make another album in the style of Passion and Warfare (1990), but he instead made the decision to go in a radically different direction, therefore confounding many fans and critics. The band split up after the album was finished, and Vai subsequently toured only with Townsend and several session drummers and bassists (including Abe Laboriel Jr., Toss Panos, and Scott Thunes).

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine at AllMusic gave Sex & Religion two stars out of five, calling it "the most predictable and conventional—not to mention boring—[album] of Vai's usually remarkable career" and criticizing the band as being "pedestrian".[1]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Steve Vai, except where noted.

No.TitleLength
1."An Earth Dweller's Return"1:04
2."Here & Now"4:47
3."In My Dreams With You" (Vai, Desmond Child, Roger Greenawalt)5:01
4."Still My Bleeding Heart"6:00
5."Sex & Religion"4:24
6."Dirty Black Hole"4:27
7."Touching Tongues"5:33
8."State of Grace"1:41
9."Survive"4:46
10."Pig" (Vai, Devin Townsend)3:36
11."The Road to Mt. Calvary"2:35
12."Down Deep into the Pain"8:01
13."Rescue Me or Bury Me"8:25
Total length:60:25
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
14."Just Cartilage" (Vai, Townsend)4:19

Personnel

Chart performance

Album
YearChartPosition
1993 Dutch albums chart 26[4]
German albums chart 53[4]
Swedish albums chart 41[4]
Swiss albums chart 26[4]
UK albums chart 17[6]
US Billboard 200 48[2]

Singles
YearTitleChartPosition
1993 "In My Dreams with You" Billboard Mainstream Rock 36[2]
"Down Deep into the Pain" Billboard Mainstream Rock -[2]

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sex & Religion - Steve Vai". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
  2. "Sex & Religion - Steve Vai | Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
  3. https://www.discogs.com/Steve-Vai-Down-Deep-Into-The-Pain/release/12193242
  4. "Steve Vai - Sex & Religion (album)". finnishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
  5. "Sex & Religion (1993)". vai.com. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
  6. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/5044/vai/
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