The enigmatic Dead Can Dance — led by co-founders and mainstays Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard — today announced the release for their ninth studio album, a song cycle of “seven movements representing different facets of the Dionysus myth and his cult.”
The new album Dionysus — the much-anticipated follow-up to Dead Can Dance’s 2012 reunion effort Anastasis, which was the group’s first record in 16 years — is due out Nov. 2 in digital, CD and vinyl formats, plus a deluxe hardback book that includes the album on translucent purple vinyl and CD.
All are now available for pre-order.
In a lengthy note posted to the group’s website, Dead Can Dance details the origin and concept of the new record, noting that, since forming in Australia in 1981, Perry and Gerrard “have been informed by folk traditions from all over Europe, not just solely in terms of instrumentation, but also by secular, religious and spiritual practices.”
Furthermore:
“The story to their forthcoming album Dionysus took shape as Brendan Perry became fascinated by long established spring and harvest festivals that had their origins in Dionysian religious practices throughout Europe. The presence of the religion was suppressed during the ideological control of Christianity and Islam since the Roman Empire, and so the influence that Dionysus still had on these festivals would continue to manifest itself albeit in a more censored form.”
Read the full account of Dionysus from Dead Can Dance on the band’s site.
Next spring, the band will embark on a 16-date European tour, playing — with the exception of the opening and closing nights in Rennes, France, and Milan, Italy — two-night stands in London, Brussels, Paris, Utrecht, Berlin, Barcelona and Lisbon. See dates below, and the band’s website for ticketing details.
The tour — dubbed A Celebration — Life & Works 1980-2019 — will be Dead Can Dance’s first in six years, and it’s not yet known whether dates in the U.S. or elsewhere are planned as well.
Below, see the tracklist and cover art for Dionysus, and Dead Can Dance’s tour dates.
Tracklist: Dead Can Dance, Dionysus
Act I
“Sea Borne”
“Liberator of Minds”
“Dance of the Bacchantes”
Act II
“The Mountain”
“The Invocation”
“The Forest”
“Psychopomp”
Dead Can Dance tour dates:
May 2: Le Liberte, Rennes, France
May 4: Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK
May 5: Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK
May 7: Cirque Royale, Brussels, Belgium
May 8: Cirque Royale, Brussels, Belgium
May 10: Grand Rex, Paris, France
May 11: Grand Rex, Paris, France
May 13: TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands
May 14: TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands
May 16: Tempodrom, Berlin, Germany
May 17: Tempodrom, Berlin, Germany
May 20: Barts, Barcelona, Spain
May 21: Barts, Barcelona, Spain
May 23: Aula Magna, Lisbon, Portugal
May 24: Aula Magna, Lisbon, Portugal
May 26: Teatro Degli Arcimboldi, Milan, Italy
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- New Dead Can Dance album — first in 6 years — near completion, Brendan Perry says
- Dead Can Dance to release ‘In Concert’ live album next month — download free track
- Video: Dead Can Dance open North American tour with first concerts in 7 years
- Dead Can Dance sets Aug. 9 release date for first new album in 16 years
- Dead Can Dance’s Brendan Perry, Lisa Gerrard reuniting for new album, 2012 world tour
Another website said that Lisa isn’t singing on the album. Wonder if this is more of a Brandon Perry solo album in DCD clothes.
Album cover run somewhat against their aesthetic, to say the least. Hopefully the music is up to the usual standards.
Looks like a Smashmouth cover.
Not to be too negative, but Google image “lucha libre” …
No.
I absolutely love the album cover!!
I hope is not a digital creation because it looks like beautiful art.
This is probably my favorite album cover from DCD.
So looking forward to the new music and tour!
Sparkey – do you have a link to this other article? Per the description of the new album provided by the link above, only Perry is referenced.
Hmm…while I delight in a new album and the return to the pagan theme and concept – I don’t like the cover and I am wondering if Lisa Gerrard is even on the album as I know she became a born-again Christian so this would be against her faith or is she on the album doing her Chinese dulcimer?
@Joe G
It was on Sideline.
I don’t understand how can anyone even dare to criticize Brendan’s artistic ambitions, taste and sensibility. If he felt inspired by the artwork he chose for the cover of Dyonisus, then there must be something magical and unique. His perception and creative powers are above and beyond most of us. I embrace and delight myself with everything he has given us. And will be forever thankful
I love Dead Can Dance, but hate this album cover. Hopefully, it is a collaboration between Brendan and Lisa.
Lisa Gerrard sings on 4 of the 7 tracks.
Source?
Reminds me a little of Silphium’s album Cult of Demeter, about the Eleusinian Mysteries, a kind of ancient psychedelic rite which lasted longer than Christiany has so far, over several thousand years. This DCD album is gonna be good, can’t wait!
Have to admit I have had only sporadic interactions with Dead Can Dance over the years. Anyone care to suggest a couple of albums to get started with? Into The Labyrinth is the only one I have.
I’d say the three-album stretch of Spleen and Ideal, Within the Realm of a Dying Sun, and The Serpent’s Egg are where the legend was born — the absolute classics. If time-traveling pagans had taken over the music ministry in a medieval church, it would have sounded something like these records.
For their brief goth-rock period, the first self-titled record is excellent. The least essential would probably be Spiritchaser, which no one seems very fond of.
Thanks! I’m on it!
While those three albums are great, I would also highly suggest- Into the Labyrinth, Towards the Within (live), and Spiritchaser. All 6 of these albums will take you to different realms spiritually if you let them. I feel like DCD reinvents themselves on each album taking on completely different influences, and instrumentation. Mentally you may find yourself in an African jungle, Mid-eval castle, Native American sweatlodge, or floating amongst the stars. They each have a significant story to share. Even the first eponymous album. There is a greatest hits sort of collection called Wake I would start with, and as the songs reveal themselves to you, buy the vinyl album they come from (if you have a record player.) https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wake/1028835966
Really digging that DCD is paying tribute to Mexican folk art.
I always let a DCD album and album cover takes it’s time with me so I can indulge in it’s richness….DCD is not about something superficial which is why all of the fans are so empowered by them. for me when listening, it takes a while for all of the elements to come together …over time I am changed as a person and it is because these two artists have the capacity to really get my attention…for me it’s not about having a reaction to the art and the sound with out giving it time. I can’t wait to have the new album and dig into their new vision!!
Praying for a USA Tour! I am still dreaming from the Aug 2012 Mastery here in LA. This LP takes DCD to some very Ancient places, much appreciation to these timeless magicians of the musical scale! THANK YOU DCD, TOUR AND CONQUER THE USA!!! We await thee…….