Medieval and
Dead Can Dance inspiration in music : (not updated !!)
About the middle ages inspired music in 'Gothic' music at first I was not so convinced any more this music is still as interesting as before it started to become more popular. I thought May be I have overgrown this music a bit now, while last years I found it very difficult to find really many interesting recent items within this field. Some Gothic groups do use simple cords or simple solutions to make this combination very convincing but at the end just entertaining.
I did collect some nice examples in the nineties I shortly reviewed here.
Most of the more recent examples I found came from various other sources than the from the people who collected the Medieval Gothic music. There still exist interesting items, but it's still as difficult to trace them like it was before. Some newer ites are being reviewed on a seperate page but all items are listed here too.
Anyone who now more nice examples can mail me links, reviews, and so on.
Most of the groups I came to know in the nineties were German or Scandinavian.
Germany had already at least one very interesting folk rock group in the seventies, Ougenweide, who was also inspired by middle ages. They made nine records. In comparing with most of the new examples they still seem the most interesting group to me. Unfortunately and very strangely as well non of their releases (except for the double sampler, and "Eulenspiegel" in only in Korea) has been re-released on CD.
In England you had Gryphon who made interesting links then.
One of the first who came with nice combinations with Middle Age after the dark eighties was the now very known Dead Can Dance. Lots of later nice examples have Dead Can Dance as most important inspiration.
A few sound files (Ougenweide, Gryphon, Blackmore's Night) you can find at http://club.euronet.be/claude.calteux/html/mediev01.htm
A few albums :
(About the added personal values :
·* OK, worth mentioning
* OK, worth mentioning·** Good
** Good·*** Very Good
*** Very Good·**** Splendid,recommended
**** Splendid,recommended·***** Unmissable, a classic (,impossible to make better, a bordercrosser),essential
***** Unmissable, a classic (,impossible to make better, a bordercrosser),essential·° upgrated for some reasons
° upgrated for some reasons ·' may be to upgrate (I might change this after many hearings)).
' may be to upgrate (I might change this after many hearings)).It depends how much you like the music field. The more you like it the more you'll also like the less graded items.
XVII°VIE
I only know their track on the Prikosnovie sampler. Review of the sampler at next page
SYLVI ALLI (USA) :
Sylvi Alli : Too near the Ghosts (2001)***°
Very DCD like music with keyboards, guitar,cello,.. See review and links at next review page.
ALLUGHANA (B) :
Alughana : 3-track demo (B,2003)****
Dynamic crossover folk with Dead CAn DAnce like vocals. Revie with links at the Belgian music review page.
ANASSANE :
French ? group. They published only one track at the Fariy World sampler. See review page.
ANGELS OF VENICE (USA) :
Epiphany Rec. Angels of Venice : Awake inside a dream (1996)***
Acid Middle Age and Neo Classical inspired music with harp, cello and some exotic instruments. In some songs added with some synth which give there a slightly new age feeling. All female trio. Very atmospheric. Recommended not only to DCD fans.
Web site at http://www.angelsofvenice.com/
And at MP3.com at http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/90/angels_of_venicecarol_tatu.html
Reviews at http://www.loobie.com/angels.htm
and at http://www.amustardseed.com/albums/2740.htm and at http://heartsong.bandnet.com/18/sampler/THE_ANGELS_OF_VENICE.html
Some extra reviews, pictures you can find at
my seperate page about Carol Tatum and the Angels of Venice.
ARCANA
Cold Meat Ind. Arcana : Dark Age of Reason (S,199?) **
Cold Meat Ind. Arcana : Lizabeth (S,199?). ***
Other review at http://disemia.com/creation/issue_12/reviews/arcaba.html
Convincing when newly discovered. Another duo who works out choirs and cynths in MA-style. May be more people will grade this better, but I'm less into this territory as before. I hope to add here in future some links to revieuws, websites.
Links for Arcana at http://www-kzsu.stanford.edu/eklein/artist/artistar.html
The label at http://www.strangefortune.com/cmi.html
AUTUMN TEARS
Dark Symph.Autumn Tears : Love poems for dying children act 2. (1997) ***°
Another very nice example of DCD-inspired music. A concept-play which is very beautiful to follow. Act 2 was developed in style against the Act 1. Also Act 3 doesen't seem much contributing in musical ideas.
The booklet is one of the nicest Gothic-ones I have seen. You can look at them at
Home page at http://www.darksymphonies.com/autumntears/ Other web site :
Interview at http://www.mourningtheancient.com/autumn.htm
AVALON RISING :
Flowingglass Music : Avalon Rising (US,1995)***°
Extremely good outbalanced combination of rich instrumentation, middle age inspired songs and real old songs and progressive music. Recommended.
BROCELIANDE :
Flowing Glass M. Broceliande (US,2000)*',
Brocceliande have 2 members of Avalon Rising, and they are a bit less adventurous (or without the progressive touches) and more traditional based (but still very spontaneous).
CAROL TATUM (USA) :
Trine Records Carol Tatum : Music for harp (2001)***'
The CD starts with a very nice harp arrangement form "Nothing Else Matters" (Metallica).
A very consistent music, atmospheric, warm, feline works through the arrangements. Very good. For more information and picture look at "Angels of Venice".
CORVUS CORAX
Gema Corvus Corax (D) : Tanzwut ***
This singel is much better than the group Tanzwut itself which came out of it. Bagpipes with a technobeat which do works very good here. Other Corvus Corax's titles ("Ante Casu Peccati", "Congregatio","Tritonius") have nice tracks and a few lesser tracks, but to grade them more surely I need to give them another listen. The live tracks are very convincing to me (very up tempo). The songs are original Middle Ages styled, but they play it so fluently modern that they can be convincing for youngsters with an upgraded energy.
(PS. I used the very original picture from the middle Ages on their cover from "Ante Casu Peccati" on top of this page).
PrivatCorvus Corax : Ante Casu Peccati (D,1989) *
Corvus Corax : Ante Casu Peccati (D,1989) * PrivatCorvus Corax, Zumpfkopule : Congregatio (D,1994) **°
Corvus Corax, Zumpfkopule : Congregatio (D,1994) **°PrivatCorvus Corax : Tritonius (D,1995) **°
Corvus Corax : Tritonius (D,1995) **°Web site at http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/153/corvus_corax.html (with audio) and http://www.darksymphonies.com/releases.htm#corvus
Interview at http://members.aol.com/Albdamnd/corvuscorax.htm
D-ARCADIA
Consequence D'Arcadia : Nostrum (D,199 ?) ***
Very (acoustic, and with dulcimer) DCD, intimistic. Very good.
Address : Consequence Musikverlag, Dingbuch 3, 81839 Söchtenau.
DARK REALIYY
SPV Dark Reality : Oh Precious Haze Prevade the Pain (D,1997) ****
"11 delightfull songs and pieces for singers, guitars, bass and drum machine, partly with historical woodwinds" was written on the cover. Very convincing interpretation of Middle Ages songs. Some of the tracks are even with some heavy guitar included.
Review from Norway at http://www.srd.d.se/snurr/snurrdf/darkreal.html
DEAD CAN DANCE :
4ADDead Can Dance (1994) ***
Dead Can Dance (1994) ***4ADDead Can Dance : Spleen and ideal (1985) ****
Dead Can Dance : Spleen and ideal (1985) ****4ADDead Can Dance : Within the realm of a dying sun (1987) *****
Dead Can Dance : Within the realm of a dying sun (1987) *****4ADDead Can Dance : The Serpent's Egg (1988) ***°
Dead Can Dance : The Serpent's Egg (1988) ***°4ADDead Can Dance : Aion (1990) *****
Dead Can Dance : Aion (1990) *****bootleg Dead Can Dance : Gothic Spleens (1990) **
Dead Can Dance : Gothic Spleens (1990) **4ADDead Can Dance : Into the Labyrinth (1993) ***°
Dead Can Dance : Into the Labyrinth (1993) ***°First album is still developing out of more wave territories into something unique which became typical DCD. The only really Middle Age inspired album is Aion.
Later albums and other albums I did not mention I personally didn't like so much any more.
Web page at http://members.aol.com/midevlman/dcdindex.htm
Dead Can Dance Web Ring (where you'll find more sites) at http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Mezzanine/2697/Mesmerism.htm
Review with audio at http://www.musicfolio.com/modernrock/dcd.html
DIE VERBANNTENKINDER EVAS :
SPV Die Verbannten Kinder Evas : Come heavy sleep **
A more melancholic item with some DCD-reference. Longer revieuw will be added here later.
Two items which might interest DCD lovers too are Elend's Leçons de Ténèbres (with some growls added) **** and Weeping Nights **** with choirs. Very melancholic and beautiful. Their other items are under file metalfusion. Look also under classical music and heavenly voices in metal. Here are only listed Middle Age inspired groups. There is also Gothic Folk and Neo-Folk for instance or some other products you can find later under the page DARK TERRITORIES.
GRYPHON (UK) :
Curio Records Gryphon (1973)***
Curio Records Gryphon : Midnight Mushrumps (1974)****°
Only the first album of this band is more traditionally Middle Ages based. Thn they constantly adapted newer English music elements. The second album is more prog folk, almost psychedelic in a very unique style where the crumhorn and the organ lead the atmosphere in the long track (19 minutes) followed by more harsh middle ages songs nicely worked out.
Official website at http://www.gaudela.net/gryphon/
Reviews at http://www.e-prog.net/bands/gryphon.htm
Some samples at http://club.euronet.be/claude.calteux/html/mediev01.htm
KARIN HÖGHIELM (SW):
Karin Höghielm : Apocryphal (1999)****
Chamber music like orchestrations, DCD like voices with some Scandinavian folk touches. Original, fresh, harmonuous and gentle. See review and links at next review page.
IN THE NURSERY :
Third Mind Rec.In The Nursery : Sense to cure the soul by means of the senses (1991) **
One of the first groups to play now and then in DCD vein, aldough they have their own style. It reminds very much of Enigma now and then.This one is with nice fitting snaredrum added. I only like a few tracks.
Home page : http://www.inthenursery.com/
KNORKATOR :
Mercury Rec.Knorkator : Weg nach unten (1999) (single) ***
Knorkator : Weg nach unten (1999) (single) ***A small hit. I like it so much when I was in that Gothic Bar in Bad Kreuznach in Germany. I believe the group use different styles. Web site at http://www.knorkator.de/
LOVE IS COLDER THAN DEATH :
HyperiumLove is colder than death : Oxeia (1994) ***
Love is colder than death : Oxeia (1994) ***Another beautiful example of DCD-like music. I only have one album.
and same entry (German/english) by the label : http://www.chrom.de/home/love-is-colder/
MARGARETH DAVIS (USA):
Flowing Glass M. Maragaret Davis : Princess of Flowers (US,1998)***
Middle Age music with a modern spontaneous touch which has the perfect balance between respect and traditional and reinvention, with lots of instruments like beautiful harp, clear female vocals. Very good as well. To dig into detail.
Contact : info@flowinglass.com
MILA MAR (D):
Str.Way R.Mila Mar : Nova (1999) ***°
Mila Mar : Nova (1999) ***°Finally a good and very convincing follower now when we have to miss Dead Can Dance. Recommended.
Web site at http://www.milamar.de/frame.html
Some start at http://www.germanrock.de/m/mila_mar/diskographie.htm
Review in German at http://www.martz-mailorder.de/start/milamar.htm and at http://www.soundbase.de/soundbase/Rezensionen/10_00/mmar.htm
German article at http://www.tranceform.de/Milamar/MILAMAR.html and at http://www.gwdg.de/~ggross3/mila_mar.html and http://home.t-online.de/home/extratours-konzertbuero/milamar.htm
Gig calender at http://www.mano.de/tourcldr/milamar.htm
pictures at http://www.pc-easy.de/geister/milamar/mila2.html
OUGENWEIDE (D) :
Zebra Ougenweide (1973)***
Polydor Ougenweide : All die Weil ich mag (1974)***
Polydor Ougenweide : Ohrenschmauss (1976)*****
Polydor Ougenweide : Eulenspiegel (1976)*****
Polydor Ougenweide : Frijheit (1978)***
Polydor Ougenweide : Ungezwungen (1978)***
Polydor Ougenweide : Liederbuch (1973-1978)***
Ougenweide can be considerred as German's Fairport Convention or Pentangle in order of importance. Very strange is then : so why aren't there any reissues (-except for the compilation album-) ?. If you compare Ougenweide with most Gothic Middle Age inspired groups from nowadays it is more clearly how easy some groups work. Most recommended inevitable classics are Eulenspiegel and Ohrenschmaus. Their first is very good too. The works after 1978 are less original and interesting. "Ungezwungen" is 2LP live album. "Liederbuch" is a compilation album. Their style can be described as Middle Ages Rock.
If you read the magazine "sounds" at http://home.rhein-zeitung.de/~tommi.s/sounds78n.htm it seems the group was extremely popular those days so why no reissues ?
At least there exist one fan page at www.8ung.at/ougenweide
You can hear some sound samples from this album at :
http://www.musik-neuigkeiten.de/liederbuch_5596201.htm and at the German Amazon.com page
Some song texts you can find at : http://angerweit.tikon.ch/bin/htsearch (from
A small review about the group you can see at : http://www.calweb.com/~geprman/o.html
The cover of their first album at http://mitglied.tripod.de/prucknermartin/ougenweide.html
Korean reissue at http://www.siwan.co.kr/2/2_54.html
Their latest product (when it came out I didn't like it so much then by quick first listen) you can find with sound samples at : http://www.rock-produktdatenbank.de/sol_7854987.htm
You can find more about German prog folk (including Ougenweide) at my page of German prog folk
ORDO EQUITUM SOLIS :
M.Max.Magn.Ordo Equitum Solis : Animi Aegritudo (I,198?) ****
Ordo Equitum Solis : Animi Aegritudo (I,198?) ****M.Max.Magn.Ordo Equitum Solis : OES (1993) (minicd) ***
Ordo Equitum Solis : OES (1993) (minicd) ***One of the first (may be the first) group in DCD style. Very quietly evolving, very melancholic. This might be a classic for DCD-fans. Some of their later work I heared could not convince me so much any more.
QNTAL :
Gymnastic R. Qntal (1992) *****
EFAQntal II ***
Qntal II ***Two unmissable classics in the genre. Although I prefer the first one much more, both products convince. This is a combination of well crafted interpretations of Middle Ages songs with an very beautiful professional female voice enriched with a techno-industrial sound. That added sound is not renewing on its own, but the combination works perfectly. Still the best versions of the afterwards so often overtried Canto di Santigas de Santa Maria.
Reviews at http://www.object-a.com/music/qntal1.shtml
If you want a very nice classical version of these songs I would suggest also to check the Esther Lamandier-version. Her opinion about songs from the Middle Ages is very original. I am convinced as well that these songs are not just to be played or sung note for note, but morely that music exists as woven patterns around the structure of the written melody, much like in Arabian singing even. It was like that everywhere in the world. I think we only came so obsessed by the excact that our general Western style of hearing and playing has been brutened or simplified a bit.
RAJNA :
Holy Rec.Rajna : Yahilli (1999) ***
Rajna : Yahilli (1999) ***Not an essential, but very beautiful release for people who can't get enough of groups who sound somewhat like Dead Can Dance. The label mostly has mostly more prog (or lets say quality) dark metal releases. E-mail label : holyrecords@wanadoo.fr
Italian review at http://www.terra.es/personal/sogonz/coment/coment06/RAJNA.html
RHEA'S OBSESSION :
Metropolis Rec. Rhea's Obsession : Re :Initiation, the Mudra Mixes (US,2001) ***
Definitly DCD and Cocteau Twins influences, together with some almost Middle Eastern ethnic World Music associations, and some slightly Industrial (Rockpop) approach. It took me some more time and it grew with every listening. Interesting to check if interested in such music.
Website at www.rheaobsession.com (or http://209.227.210.99/home.htm if it doesen't work yet) Russian/English site at http://www.geocities.com/russian_rheas/index.htm
Contact : rheas@sympathico.ca
Some reviews at http://www.musicfolio.com/modernrock/rheasobsession.html &
short review at http://205.210.170.73/IndieBands/band1162.html & http://kickinthehead.com/Artists/R/Rheas_Obsession/
Review of "Between Earth and Sky" at http://www.toronto-goth.com/reviews/cd/rhea.shtml & http://electroage.lowlife.com/elecrheasrev.htm
More reviews at http://www.spiderrecords.com/rheas/reviews.htm
Interview at http://www.legendsmagazine.net/90/rhea.htm
SANCTUM :
Cold Meat Ind.Sanctum : Lupus In Fabula (S) ****
Sanctum : Lupus In Fabula (S) ****A very industrial product rather than is associated with middle Ages, aldough I can clearly hear the influence from the genre. If you like Qntal you will like this one too. After this product the group changed style very much.
THE SOIL BLEEDS BLACK :
Draener Prod. The Soil bleeds black *
Review I published once in Burdonske (in Dutch :) about this cd :
"Dit is ook een van de Middeleeuws geïnspireerde CD's die het redelijk eenvoudig, zelfs primitief, houden van stijl. Het is een soort van meestal redelijk donkere folk die vooral met synthesiser-geluiden oude instrumenten naspeelt, soms aangevuld met vrouwelijke zang. Een groot deel ervan lijkt wel een soundtrack van een of andere film die zich in de Middeleeuwen afspeelt, met bestorming van een kasteel en andere voorvallen op de achtergrond. Door weinig vergaande ritmes lijkt dit dan zelfs meer op een videospelletje dat zich in de Middeleeuwen afspeelt, maar dit maakt het wel uiterst geschikt als begeleiding van een CD-Rom met groteskere tafereeltjes uit Breugeliaanse tijden. De groep bestaat sinds 1992 en hebben nu reeds twee cassettes en dit is hun tweede CD. (Gerald)."
The music is like a movie soundtrack illustrating some moments in the more primitive parts in history of the Middle Ages.
STELLAMARA :
City of Tr.R.Stellamara (USA,1997) **
Stellamara (USA,1997) **Very quiet DCD-like product, with lots of instruments and female singer.
SYLVIA BRALLIER :
Triple Muse Rec.Sylvia Brallier :Awkening the Sacred Fire (US,2000)**°
Sylvia Brallier :Awkening the Sacred Fire (US,2000)**°DCD inspired neo pagan product with World rythms and trance healing mood.
Review with link at my neo-pagan review page.
Page with sound at www.triplemuse.com
VARIOUS :
SPVVarious : Miroque, Mittlealter-Barock-Gothic-Selection (D,1996) ***
Various : Miroque, Mittlealter-Barock-Gothic-Selection (D,1996) ***SPVVarious : Miroque II, Mittlealter-Barock-Gothic-Selection (D,1997) ****
Various : Miroque II, Mittlealter-Barock-Gothic-Selection (D,1997) ****SPVVarious : Miroque III, Mittlealter-Barock-Gothic-Selection (D,1998) ***
Various : Miroque III, Mittlealter-Barock-Gothic-Selection (D,1998) ***SPVVarious : Miroque IV, Mittlealter-Barock-Gothic-Selection (D,1999) *
Various : Miroque IV, Mittlealter-Barock-Gothic-Selection (D,1999) *I heared many such samplers. One of the better ones are the early Miroques. I think Miroque II is a very good starter to get to know convincing groups and tracks within the field.
Review I published once in Bourdonske :
MIROQUE VOL I.(1996, Euro Media/SPV GmbH, 72'40").
Op deze CD is verscheidenheid, terwijl op vol II een perfecter geheel ten gehore valt. Arcana Obscura's fragment is wat kort en onopvallend om er iets specifieks over te zeggen. Zowel Hortus Musicus, Sarband, Love is Colder Than Death,The Merlons of Nehemiah hebben daarbij prachtige stemarrangementen. Hortus Musicus brengt daarbij een Spaans 16de Eeuws lied met een authentiek arrangement. Sarband brengt een meerstemmig lied uit "Libre Vermell". Love is Colder Than Death heeft nog mooie CD's gemaakt, maar als ik me niet vergis is er niet héél veel afwisseling in en is de stijl meer een atmosferische wave-folk, neo-folk. De stemmen zijn toch wondermooi en de instrumentatie is hier wel boeiend. Chalice Well brengt met een reeks aan akoestische instrumenten, maar met bijna pop-akkoorden haar bekoring. Met een mooie sopraan/bariton-combinatie. Ordo Equitum Solis kan met haar accoustische track naast DCD staan. De Spelemansgroep Corvus Corax is hier ook weer vertegenwoordigd met een drinklied-achtig gezongen stuk dat met inzet van doedelzakken ontaardt in een ritmische wilde dans. Enkele fragmenten van de CD zijn moeilijker binnen het geheel in te schatten omdat ze wat misstaan en weinig met ME te maken hebben : Trinovox , Anchorage (filmmuziek met etherische serenade voor de hoop om niet te sterven of zoiets), The Bulgarian Voices (u kent ze wel), Sea of Tranquility (ook redelijk minimalistische of weinig doorzochte strijkarrangementen geschikt voor een film) D'Arcadia met zwepende cello (of contrabas) en drums, zither vallen ook op in een combinatie van ME, Arabisch, Keltisch en rock. Convivium Musicum brengt een anoniem Renaissancistisch stuk dat toch ergens een sfeer heeft van een iets ruwer of primitief spel waardoor het goed geplaatst is tussen Middeleeuwse stukjes. End of Orgy houdt het op de synthesizer en is armer dan de rest en is een voorbeeld daarmee voor de gemakkelijkheid waarmee zovele groepen iets Middeleeuwsachtig in elkaar flansen. Moeilijk in dit soort dingen om kaf van het koren te scheiden als men het beschouwt vanuit het nostalgisch effect vanuit de wave, maar vanuit de folk is dit duidelijk gemakkelijke opvulling. Engel Wider Willen is een extra castratie van de castraat die hier Bach's Ave Maria verkracht met stupiede ritmes en synthesizer. Ataraxia doet zijn best om volwaardige ME-achtige stukjes te brengen, maar ik spreek me niet uit over haar resultaat wegens weinig subtiele sfeer en spel. Als tribuut aan een van de eerste grote invloeden in Duitsland staat er ook een fragment op van Ougenweide. Daar kan ik nog eens horen hoe goed deze groep toch was, en in vergelijking met soms zo'n primitivisme er met Middeleeuwse arrangementen er nu bij heel wat groepen wordt omgesprongen klinkt hun fragment nog een van de meest tijdloze ertussen. (Gerald).
Of course much more items can be and will later be added here. My general taste is much for a somewhat visibly constructed music. Therefore many of the groups gothic-people (if I might put a category here as a reference of taste let's say) do like, with cynths and dark moods didn't made it to my collection. Many of them have nice songs that can be liked by all.
Beautiful female voices can also be found in most of the Russian groups in chamber folk style reviewed at the Russian new Folk scene webpage.
Most interesting label I know so far that produces Dead Can Dance related products is : http://membres.lycos.fr/prikos/ with review of their sampler at next review page
Best other place to buy that I know such items (heavenly female voices) is http://www.ventricle.com/catalog.htm
A bit about the Cantigas de Santa Maria : http://music.acu.edu/www/iawm/pages/cantigas.html
The original document : http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/cantigas/facsimilies/E/
A page about Alfonso X : http://faculty.washington.edu/petersen/alfonso/alfonsox.htm
A page about the Moors influence on music in those days :
Some Middle Ages links at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook.html and at www.unf.edu/classes/medieval/medievalmusic.htm
Some medieval music links :
Woman's early music : http://music.acu.edu/www/iawm/pages/index.html
Medieval folk : http://club.euronet.be/claude.calteux/html/ppmed.htm
An early music groups list at
Early European Music educational introduction (huge but compact) at
Educational pages for Middle Ages :
Music with Middle Ages influences is being played now and then in my radio program in Antwerpen. E-mail me for extra information,remarks or suggestions.
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