The Scarlet Letters

The Scarlet Letters is a track from the Deathsex Bloodbath album "The Infernal Desire Machines of Deathsex Bloodbath" and the EP "Are You There God? It's Deathsex Bloodbath". At 4:33, it is one of the longest tracks in the Deathsex Bloodbath discography.

Inspiration and writing
Sadogasm and Masokiss became friends while Masokiss was still playing drums in Sweet Tooth. Sadogasm wanted to ask Masokiss to form a band with him, but repeatedly found that he lacked the courage to do so. After one night, he wrote a letter to Masokiss using red ink and posted it at 4am. Next time they met, Masokiss did not directly address the letter, but handed Sadogasm a letter agreeing to be in the band, also written in red ink. Much of the lyrical content is adapted from the letters: the first verse, from Sadogasm to Masokiss; the second (sung by Switchblade), the reply from Masokiss.

The song also touches on themes of body dysphoria, prostitution, Sadogasm's upbringing in Blackpool, and Masokiss's brothers' negative reactions to her coming out as trans.

'Are You There God?' version
The song was re-recorded for the 2016 EP "Are You There God? It's Deathsex Bloodbath". It is the longest song on the EP and also features Switchblade's largest contribution.

Track
You can hear the track and read the full lyrics here.

A video tribute to the band was set to this song here.

Personnel
Switchblade - vocals

Sadogasm - vocals, rhythm guitars

Justin Appropriate - lead guitar

Masokiss - bass

Sororicide - drums