Dead Can Dance
Dionysus
PIAS
5/5
It is very difficult for me to judge what is essentially a public ritual recording, graciously released to the masses. Included in this ritual are two acts, each of which span a number of movements that equal out to seven tracks. Fans of ‘98s Spiritchaser will certainly find something to like here, as it greatly echoes the tribal sense explored within that album. This recording is far less “gothic” and instead seems to feature a decidedly world music vibe.
“Sea Borne” is very much a ritual opening to the circle, while “Liberator Of Minds” melds middle-eastern instrumentation with darkwave elements to create a sound that is everything fans know and love about Dead Can Dance. It is not heavy on vocals and mainly allows the atmosphere to do the talking. There is also a keyboard section utilized that feels like the twinkling of a million stars. No one else does it quite like this now legendary and highly influential duo, although many have tried. “Dance Of The Bacchanates” brings us right into the thick of it, as the sounds of not only wildlife but fierce ritual drumming are brought into the forefront. Lisa Gerrard calls forth the very elements themselves with her true to form resonance of our ancient primordial roots. This is a massive transcendental element, there can be no denial of that. If you’re not transported into another world by this one, then your pineal gland is probably calcified.
As the second act begins, we roll into “The Mountain” wherein deep synths and flutes echo the very nature of Dionysus. I’d say at his most masculine level, even though the record is attempting to embody both sides of the archetype of which I was only aware of one. If I’m not mistaken, counterpart Ariadne would have represented the female aspect of this archetype. Perhaps there’s a bit of her here as well. Brendan Perry’s vocals now come to the forefront here in again much the same tribal sense that embodied Spiritchaser. This record feels like a successor to that one in a way, which is quite refreshing as it is one of my personal favorite releases from the band. “The Invocation” comes next, which I would consider a true to form embodiment of practically any entity beyond the great scope of mankind, that would listen. In other words, this is perfect to get your mind in the necessary place for enacting any kind of ritual. There is a heavily middle-eastern or Egyptian vibe here, which doesn’t seem quite so Grecian, but I suppose it suffices and creates again; the necessary sense of gnosis required for ritual. “The Forest” is next, which again brings up the Spiritchaser vibe. This is very much Spiritchaser II and I can already name quite a few occultists that will be very happy with it. The keyboard sections featured on this particular movement are brilliant, just as we might expect from an act so revered. “Psychopomp” ends the experience on what I’d consider to be an incredibly naturalistic and toned down vibe. This seems to be the meditation after the deep ritual and is intended as a slow-down. Though transcendental, it is very subdued and feels necessary as a closer. This is definitely the cool-down period after any ritual workout.
Dead Can Dance have more or less created a sequel to one of their deepest and most respected albums, at least in my personal opinion. I’ve played Spiritchaser more than anything else in their discography and for getting into the state of gnosis required for complex ritual, there was simply nothing better. Until now with Dionysus, which I would actually put on the same level as Spiritchaser. Without a doubt, this is Dead Can Dance at the most tribally influenced we’ve heard from them in years and I couldn’t be more pleased. You can and will be listening to this album often. It is not a record for “jams” though, this is a disc that I would consider an essential tool for occult work and if you don’t believe in any of that, then I truly don’t care as that opinion is none of my concern, nor of the band and their millions of followers throughout the globe. I was pleased and Dead Can Dance fans will be equally so. Dionysus was definitely worth the wait and might go down as one of the best releases of this genre to date.