The Mission

Formed in Leeds in 1986, The Mission coalesced around Wayne Hussey and Craig Adams after they left The Sisters of Mercy, with Mick Brown and later Simon Hinkler completing the original quartet. Initially called The Sisterhood before a quick name change, the band developed a sound that blended gothic rock, post-punk, hard rock and alternative rock—characterised by expansive guitars, melodic choruses and a darkness more lyrical than purely abrasive. From the start The Mission were part of the British and European gothic scenes, while touring with acts such as The Cult and sharing bills with U2, Robert Plant and later Alice Cooper. The first era features albums like God’s Own Medicine (1986), Children (1988) and Carved in Sand (1990), followed by more varied directions on Masque (1992), Neverland (1995) and Blue (1996). After a split and a comeback from around 1999, they released Aura (2001) and God Is a Bullet (2007), and a further reformation in 2011 centred on Hussey, who remained the band’s constant figure amid a frequently shifting line-up. The Mission continued with The Brightest Light (2013) and Another Fall from Grace (2016), remaining active on alternative live circuits and at European festivals, notably within the gothic sphere.