“The Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance is a significant rock opera and concept album. This acclaimed third studio album was released in Europe on October 23, 2006, and in the United States on October 24, 2006, via Reprise Records.
The production of this album was a collaborative effort between the band and the renowned producer Rob Cavallo, known for his work with artists such as the Goo Goo Dolls and Green Day.
This album is a powerful narrative centered around a character suffering from cancer, known as “The Patient.” Through its compelling storytelling, “The Black Parade” takes listeners on a journey through his apparent death, experiences in the afterlife, and reflections on his life. It’s worth noting that this album is the only one by the band to feature Bob Bryar on drums before his departure in 2010.
Critics greeted “The Black Parade” with generally favorable reviews. The band achieved a remarkable milestone with their first number one single in the United Kingdom, “Welcome to the Black Parade.” This album debuted impressively, reaching the second position on both the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart. Moreover, it has been recognized with triple-platinum certifications in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It also received gold certifications in Argentina, acknowledged by the Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers (CAPIF), and in Chile, recognized by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Chile.
“The Black Parade” earned the Platinum Europe Award from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, marking one million sales in Europe. The limited edition boxed set even secured My Chemical Romance a nomination at the 2008 Grammy Awards. This successful album produced four hit singles, including “Welcome to the Black Parade,” “Famous Last Words,” “I Don’t Love You,” and “Teenagers.”
To support this remarkable release, My Chemical Romance embarked on the extensive “The Black Parade World Tour” beginning on February 22, 2007. This tour featured an impressive 138 performances across the globe, including various festival appearances and condensed shows. It remains the band’s longest and most internationally comprehensive headlining tour, encompassing North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Latin America.
Notably, one of the album’s tracks, “Dead!” appeared in the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero II, while three other songs, “Teenagers,” “Famous Last Words,” and “This Is How I Disappear,” were previously available as downloadable content.
“The Black Parade” continued to thrive in popularity, with three million copies sold in the United States by 2016 and four million worldwide. In celebration of the album’s tenth anniversary, it was reissued as “The Black Parade/Living with Ghosts” on September 23, 2016.