Dead Can Dance Album: “Within the Realm of a Dying Sun”

Although I don't consider this to be my favorite album ever (that title goes to Nine Inch Nails' "The Fragile"), Dead Can Dance touch upon a dark beauty that even that CD doesn't quite reach up to. This is Dead Can Dance's darkest album, no question about that; where Gothic music (in the sense of the Victorian era) meets Arcane. "Anywhere Out Of The World" starts off with dark piano notes that bleed into Brendan Perry's beautiful voice. The song perfectly sets the mood for "Within The Realm Of A Dying Sun," with it's Gothic piano notes and and somber mood (not to mention Brendan Perry's magnificent vocals and lyrics). "Windfall" is a beautiful instrumental that lives up to it's name quite well. The song is absolutely stunning, the way the violins weave in and out sends chills up and down my spine. "In The Wake Of Adversity" is like it's predecessor, only with vocals and a more Arcane feel. Very nice. At this point in the disk, I realized that, while the songs were perfect, they've been lacking an important part of Dead Can Dance: Lisa Gerrard! She does, however, make her entrance on this disk with "Xavier." Lisa does the intro and Brendan takes over from there on. The song, just like all the other ones here, is perfect. A great song, and a chilling outro. It's the only song on "Within The Realm Of A Dying Sun" that the two team up vocally. Lisa finally gets the spotlight with "Dawn Of The Iconoclast." The horns (or trumpets, whatever they're called, I'm bad at naming instruments) and drums lead and then give way to Lisa's voice. The song is short, a little more somber, darker, and softer as well. It ends beautifully, with violins that leave a haunted feeling. Absolutely exquisite. "Cantara" is probably the most Arcane of all these songs. The guitar in the beginning is beautiful, as well as the piano. Then the song lets loose with everything moving the tempo up and Lisa's eloquent vocals. I originally bought this CD for this song, turns out it was my least favorite here. The last two songs are of something from another realm, they are the best songs here (easily). "Summoning Of The Muse" showcases Lisa's best vocal work here. This song is just touching, it's very mournful, and her voice is so good I want to cry. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - forget Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin, Lisa Gerrard has the single greatest voice ever. Her vocal display in these last two songs just aren't mortal. "Peresphone (The Gathering Of Flowers)" is the best way to close this CD. Again, very mournful and sad, in fact, this is probably the most depressing song here. The song is such a journey going through different changes, but without changing too much. I'm frustrated at not being able to describe the song in the right words. Just listen to it; I guess that's all I can say. "Within The Realm Of A Dying Sun" is flawless and absolutely perfect, I listen to it all the way through when playing it. It makes the entire Projekt label look like a bunch of shoegazing high schoolers. I cannot express my love for this CD enough; no words can do the justice this album so rightfully deserves. It deserves to be heard by music lovers everywhere.

Once every decade or so a band releases an album that's just blows everything else away. "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun" is defiantly one of those albums. Dead Can Dance are the duo of Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard. Together they have created some of the best music ever, and this is their crowning achievement.

"Within the Realm of the Dying Sun" is beautifully flowing masterful mix of Goth, world and classical music. The album is carried by the elegance of Brendan's thought provoking voice and Lisa, who has the most powerful voice in all of music. Although you won't understand a word she says (she speaks in ancient languages for the most part) her voice will touch you in a profound way. Behind them are beautiful brass and string sections as well as an assortment of old sounding instruments (most of which are authentic) played by Lisa and Brendan. The music has an atmosphere to it that is one of a kind. It goes beyond the music, it's a deep and spiritual fulfillment. Another great thing about this album is Brendan's lyrics. Dark, melancholic, philosophical and depressing without being the least bit contrived (like a lot of the typical "I hate myself and I wanna die" bands in the Goth scene).

The first song is "Anywhere of This World". The haunting piano pulls you in and then the strings and horns come in. Beautifully depressing and haunting music, and great vocals by Brendan. Then comes instrumental "Windfall". The song walks along slowly like a serpent sliding through the water. Behind the strings and pianos you can quietly hear drums softly being played in the background. This is the ultimate atmospheric instrumental. "In the Wake of Adversity" is another one sang by Brendan. I love the plucked strings, like rain slowly falling down on to your head. "Xavier" is the last Brendan led song. It starts out with a great female vocal part (I'm not sure if its Lisa or not) and then the epic song begins. More great singing and real good piano on this one. Then comes one of the most powerful songs I've heard... "Dawn of the Iconoclast" starts with powerful horns and drums, and finally ends with the violins peaking. Lisa's voice will send a chill down your spine. "Cantara" is very Arabian influenced. After a long intro, rhythmic beats come in making it the most lively song on the album. "Summoning of the Muse" is probably my favorite song on here. The music is so tragic. The name gives you the felling of the muse being forced to perform, so very tragic. "Persephone" is another depressing one. As always Lisa's vocals are out of this world. The song gives the feeling of a loved one dying. I like the flute part too.

There you have it, one of the best albums ever. Let me make this clear not only are there no bad songs, there are no songs that aren't great. Anyone who likes classical, world, Goth or progressive MUST add this album to their collection. Also check out the other DCD albums, I have three others and although they're not as amazing as this one they're really worth having. Oh, another thing, check out the amazing album cover. It fits in with the musically perfectly.

If you like DCD this cd is in my opinion one of their best..Completely amazing...I can never get tired of listening to it..It's wonderfully haunting.."Xavier", "Dawn of the Icnoclast", "Cantara" and "Summoning of the Muse" can be listened to over and over..the entire cd can be listened to numerous times without ever getting tiring..but those songs are among my favorites... All the songs on "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun" are very powerful songs ones that you can feel within your entire body..wether you listen to it during the day or the night it will take you on a journey into a realm of haunting music..Just incredible to listen to...A must have cd..and Lisa Gerrard is amazing, her voice is like no other female vocalist alive..I Love this cd..if you are a DCD fan, get it..if you have not heard many of their cd's get this one..if you just learned about DCD from a friend or stumbled upon them.. get this cd..it's a must have...If you don't believe me then see for yourself..buy it and see..

I was introduced to Dead Can Dance by buying the soundtrack to the film/documentary Baraka. When I heard the song "The Host of Seraphim", I was truly enthralled by this beautiful, awe-inspiring piece. So I decided that I wanted to hear other songs from this group,even though I was a bit skeptical: suppose Host of Seraphim was the only good song they did? I answered my own question when I bought "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun".

Needless to say, this whole CD is absolutely wonderful! Brenden Perry's and Lisa Gerrard's voices are truly beautiful. My favorite songs are Anywhere Out of the World(very melancholy music but nonetheless a gorgeous piece with Brenden Perry's somber voice), Cantara(an Indian-techno piece), and Dawn of the Iconoclast (the trumpets and drums reminds me of the imagery of the judgement day when all men are reckoned before God); but all the songs are equally divine.

Is this considered Gothic music? Maybe....but it can be enjoyed by anyone despite their taste of music. Absolutely no heavy metal on this piece....most of the CD is really melancholy pieces, but not sooo somber that you get depressed. Beautiful music indeed.

Worth the money!!!!

:-)

I'm listening to it now. How many times I've heard this, I've lost count. Cantara is playing right now. Lisa Gerard's flowing voice just carried the band through two half step minor chords. It's incredibly beautiful.

As I'm listening, I'm buying a few copies for chritmas presents for a few friends who don't own this one. (no, I wouldn't go so low as to burn a DCD CD for a present.)