Doktor Avalanche

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Doktor Avalanche is the name of the various drum machines used by rock band The Sisters of Mercy. With the exception of the debut single Damage Done, on which Andrew Eldritch played the drums, the band exclusively relied on drum machines and never had a live drummer. Originally a BOSS DR-55 ("Doctor Rhythm"), the Doktor was later replaced by a Roland TR-606, soon followed by a TR-808, and, briefly, a TR-909. On one song, First and Last and Always, an Oberheim DMX bore the Doktor name.

With increased financial resources from sale of the album, the Doktor was upgraded to a Yamaha RX5, and subsequently reinforced by Akai S900 and S1000 samplers. An Akai S3200 has been used as studio equipment. Soon after, the first digital Doktor appeared in the form of a set of Compaq portable PCs, which had to be scrapped when it became impossible to maintain them because of a lack of spare parts.

Doktor Avalanche also "runs" the on-line advice column on the Sisters' web site.