Dead Can Dance – Aion

Review

In the haunting embrace of "Aion," Dead Can Dance's fifth studio album, we are transported to the mystical realms of medieval and Renaissance music. Released in 1990, this opus symbolizes the zenith of the band's most defining era, weaving together an enchanting soundscape that is as captivating as it is diverse. The album brims with the haunting echoes of instruments such as the hurdy-gurdy and viols, imbuing each track with a palpable depth and complexity.

Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard, the core alchemists, orchestrate most of the album's instrumentation and vocals, with occasional enchantments from guest musicians like David Navarro Sust, enriching the sonic tapestry. The lyrical grandeur, inspired by luminaries such as 17th-century Spanish baroque poet Luis de Góngora, melds seamlessly with the beautifully intricate melodies. The cover art, a resonant detail from Hieronymus Bosch's "The Garden of Earthly Delights," mirrors the album's thematic journey through mysticism and historical reverie. Tracks like "Saltarello" and "The Song of the Sibyl" illuminate the band's prowess in crafting music that is mesmerizingly atmospheric and otherworldly. "Aion" stands as an essential milestone in Dead Can Dance's discography, offering an immersive escape into a timeless, ethereal world. - Mercy