Rock legends Mötley Crüe Theatre Of Pain this Friday, the 14th, available now in North America and on November 28th in the rest of the world via BMG – secure your copy here.
Released in June 1985, Theatre of Pain marked a bold new chapter for Mötley Crüe — stylistically daring, musically explosive, and totally true to the spirit of street glam.
Fueled by the attitude of "Smokin' In The Boys Room" and the emotional power of the anthem "Home Sweet Home," Crüe's third album broke barriers while remaining rooted in hard rock. This groundbreaking record set the musical and visual template for many bands that would follow, while Crüe continued to evolve and reinvent their look and sound with each album.
Theatre Of Pain was the band's first LP to reach the Top 10 in the US, debuting at #6, and became a global success (#7 in Australia, #7 in Sweden, #5 in Finland, #11 in Canada and their first Top 40 hit in the UK, at #36). Today, the album is certified 4x Platinum in the US by the RIAA and 3x Platinum in Canada.
The lead single, a cover of “Smokin’ In The Boys Room,” was the band’s first Top 20 hit in the US, peaking at #16. The iconic music video for “Home Sweet Home” was the most requested on MTV for over 90 days, leading to the infamous “Crüe Rule,” which limited videos to 30 days on air. The song returned to the top this year—now on US Classic Rock Radio—thanks to a new 40th-anniversary version, reimagined in collaboration with global superstar Dolly Parton.
Watch the new unboxing video at the end of this article featuring Michael Berryman, the legendary horror actor known for his unforgettable roles in The Hills Have Eyes and various other genre classics — and who starred in the official music videos for both hits.
The 40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set is an essential item for fans and collectors, featuring reimagined artwork, the remastered album on colored vinyl, a previously unreleased live performance recorded in Long Beach in 1985 (2LP), rare demo recordings (1LP), and a 76-page hardcover book filled with previously unreleased photos and memories from the Theatre Of Pain . This definitive set captures the raw energy and spirit of a band at its peak — available for a limited time only.
