The First Chapter is a compilation album by gothic rock band The Mission. It gathered the material released on the first two EPs released through the Chapter 22 label. Titled I (featuring "Serpents Kiss") and II (featuring the double A-side "Like a Hurricane" and "Garden of Delight") the album was released on Mercury Records in June 1987. It includes all the songs from the first EP in its entirety, but omits the original versions of "The Crystal Ocean" (from the 12") and "Garden of Delight" (from the 7" and limited edition 12") from the second. The US release was augmented with the B-sides of the V (Severina) EP. The tracks that were originally left off this compilation were included on the expanded and remastered edition. This restored (and repositioned) both the short intermissions and 'swan song' from the II EP. Christ True of allmusic.com called the album 'an interesting piece of history of an oft-forgotten era of English rock'.

Track listing

Except where noted, all music by Adams, Brown, Hinkler, Hussey and words by Hussey

UK release

US release

The US version drops "Like a Hurricane" (extended) and adds "Tomorrow Never Knows" (edited version) and "Wishing Well" from the band's 5th single "Severina", the latter from its 12" version.

Other releases

The Japanese version also includes the tracks "Serpents Kiss" (live) from the band's 4th single "Wasteland" and "Tomorrow Never Knows" (Amphetamix) from the band's 5th single "Severina".

Reissued version

In June 2007, Universal Music re-released the UK edition of The First Chapter with 9 bonus tracks

Personnel

Charts