Paul Chain was a pseudonym first used by the self-taught Italian multi-instrumentalist Paolo Catena in 1977. In 2003 he announced Paul Chain's 'artistic death' and destroyed all the tapes and photos in his possession. No explanation was given. Paul Chain has become a cult figure in the doom metal scene, but his 'purely phoentic' vocals, lo-fi recording techniques, and disregard for genre, will appeal to a far wider audience. With this officially licensed 93-minute double LP the Horn of Plenty sidesteps the metal side of the Paul Chain catalogue in favour its more esoteric corners where Paolo explored folk, psych, prog, and minimal electronics. Paul Chain Is Dead Volume 1 presents tracks that haven't appeared on vinyl for 30 years alongside first-time vinyl outings.