The Savage Rose formed in Copenhagen in 1967 around the brothers Thomas Koppel and Anders Koppel and the singer Annisette. In 1971 choreographer Flemming Flindt asked Thomas Koppel for the music of Dødens Triumf (The Triumph of Death), a ballet based on Eugène Ionesco's play Jeux de massacre. It was first shown on Danish television in 1971 and staged at the Royal Danish Theatre the following year, and the band's recording of the score came out in 1972.

The music follows the ballet scene by scene, from Byen Vågner (The City Awakes) through the wedding to the plundering of the dead city. Thomas Koppel plays piano and harmonium and painted the front cover, Anders Koppel adds organ, harmonica and flute, Alex Riel is on drums, and Ole Molin and Rudolph Hansen on guitars and bass. Annisette's high, raw voice carries the vocal parts over a mix of rock band, church-like keyboards and long instrumental movements.

The ballet became a long-running success in Copenhagen and the album was among the band's best sellers in Denmark.

Japanese CD reissue by Belle Antique in a mini LP sleeve replica with obi and Japanese liner notes, SHM-CD, digitally remastered by Kazuo Ogino.