DCD Presents Music Not According To The Book ...

Dead Can Dance are a duo of Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard who not so much write music, but create a sound that is not quite World Music and yet not New Age or Folk. It's a little of everything with a glop of Goth added for effect. There is not much else to tell you about the duo, so I'll get right into the review.

"Aion" is the third album I owned (or the second purchased album) on cassette and have only just recently acquired off itunes. It is hard to say which album I like the most, but this one is up there. It has a more tribal/celtic feel, but loads of gothicness. The album starts with "The Arrival And The Reunion" which is essentially what I just described. Tribal feel with percussion and chant like rhythm with Lisa's signature chilling vocals. We then move into "Salterello" which is celticy and upbeat, magical. "As The Bells Ring, The Maypole Spins" is similar in style with Lisa's chant like style which gives the song more goth. It has a very dance inducing feel, much like Loreena McKennitt's "Huron Beltane Fire Dance", it's very catchy.

If you want unsettling gothic songs, just check out "The Song Of Sybil", "The End Of Worlds" and "Wilderness". These all feature church like hymn vocals and simplistic music. Keyboards and percussion (bells, timpani and such) along with Lisa's baritone solo vocals and choral singers create a very eerie atmosphere perfect for halloween music. "The Promised Womb" and "Redharc" are haunting, but have a bit more yearning and sadness. Lisa's vocals are more chilling and cut right into you.

But let's not forget about Brendan Perry now. Along with background vocals and chant/choral work he also spearheads a couple songs and on this particular album they happen to be my favourites. "Fortune Presents Gifts Not According To The Book" is a somber tune that borderlines uplifting. A little emotional turmoil brought on by melodic picking and atmospheric instrumentation. Brendan's vocals are strong and passionate. My favourite track is "Black Sun". It has a creepy, dark feel with tribal percussions and trumpet like bits of melody. Brendan shines with his signature baritone vocals and here he is at the top of his game. It's powerful, passionate and above that, it's catchy.

"Aion" has a more celtic/tribal feel which is a little branch away from some of the earlier work, but does not lose the gothicness that gloomy teens have swarmed too.