Originally released in June 1985, Mtley Cres third studio album Theatre of Pain ushered in a bold new sound and look while still maintaining the bands signature hard-rock intensity. This trendsetting album set the template for both style and music for many bands that followed, while the Cre themselves continued to evolve their look and sound with each release.

Theatre of Pain was the bands first LP to reach the US Top 10, landing at #6. It became a true global smash as well, hitting #7 in Australia, #7 in Sweden, #5 in Finland, #11 in Canada, and earning their first UK Top 40 album (#36). The album is currently RIAA-certified 4 Platinum in the US and 3 Platinum in Canada. The accompanying tour took them around the world, including Japan, the US, Canada, Germany, France, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark.

The seminal video for their iconic track Home Sweet Home became the #1 most-requested clip on MTV for more than 90 days prompting MTV to introduce the Cre Rule, limiting any video to 30 days of eligibility on the request line.