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I love both of the duo's voices so I really appreciate the fact that they trade-off after "Song Of The Sibyl" from Lisa to Brendan Perry, whom sings on the subtle Medieval tune, "Fortune Presents Gifts Not According to the Book". It's on the haunting "Black Sun", which brings to mind the dark brilliance of 'Within The Realm of a Dying Sun', that his somber baritone truly succeeds in tantilizing the listener with his seductive vocals though! And while the eastern influenced "Radharc" may arguably be the best song on 'Aion', the entire album is a delightful treat for the senses and I couldn't recommend it any higher!


the crossroads of DCD's career   December 20, 2000
 34 out of 34 found this review helpful

This is the best DCD album I have heard, which makes it one of the most beautiful bits of music ever. By now a lot of people know about Lisa Gerrard's beautiful voice and Middle Eastern-influenced dance beats, and those are displayed very nicely here. Radharc is one of the best examples of the latter. But Aion is dominated slightly more by the neo-classical and Renaissance vibe - Saltarello, the second track on the album, is far and away the best "pure" (no drum machines or samples) Medieval dance track you will ever hear. I play this track often to techno and trance junkies, and usually they are simply stunned. Aion also features some of Brendan Perry's trademark dark, droning vocals that will have Nick Cave and Peter Murphy fans weeping with delight - Black Sun is the standout. A great album to start your DCD collection with, especially if you've just heard about the band and don't quite know the material yet. (Note - their first albums are mostly slow and dark, like Black Sun. Their later work is more dancy and "exotic", typically more like Radharc. Lisa Gerrard's solo work is pretty much all like that.)


Etheral   June 27, 2000
 29 out of 30 found this review helpful

I happened to stumble across this AION due to my experience with Cocteau Twins, which are on the very same label as Dead Can Dance..."4AD". I read reviews for and other Dead Can Dance releases. sounded like the one I would enjoy the most, and well, I was right.

This CD is simply amazing. Flavors of medieval times swirl....sweeping hills and valleys....majestic cathedrals and castles...villages gathering, creating a festival like atmosphere...flames dance atop their torches as stars sparkle in the night sky above.

The beauty of this album starts with the cover. A mysterious and enchanting doorway....once you go through, a new world appears. This music is beautifully written, and wonderfully produced, and is unlike any musical experience you've ever had. Soaring vocals...gothic drums echo throughout...14th century strings to accompany. T'is a feast for your musical soul, and if you listen closely enough, you just might hear yourself.


Inspired by Renaissance music, Dead Can Dance excel   June 6, 2001
 22 out of 22 found this review helpful

Released in 1990, AION shows Dead Can Dance, the duo of Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry, exploring styles of Medieval times and the Renaissance. The production is excellent, and it ranks among DCD's best albums.

AION opens with "The Arrival and the Reunion," a short piece that shows off Lisa's amazing voice as overdubs allow her to provide her own polyphony, with David Navarro Sust (a collaborator on 1989's THE SERPENT'S EGG) providing backing vocals.

There are a number of quiet, instrumental pieces on this album which sound highly authentic, such as "Saltarello" (which really is a piece from the 14th century), "Wilderness," and "The Garden of Zephirus."

As with any Dead Can Dance album, there are songs that feature either Brendan or Lisa more heavily. Lisa provides among others "Radharc," "The Promised Womb," and "The Song of the Sibyl," although for that last one I prefer the live version on TOWARD THE WITHIN.

Brendan gives us the tragicomic "Fortune Presents Gifts Not According to the Book" and the odd "Black Sun."

It's remarkable how this album, the first after Lisa and Brendan split up (she went to Spain, he went to Ireland), features such excellent collaboration. Definitely one of Dead Can Dance's best albums, although I think the best is WITHIN THE REALM OF A DYING SUN.


Excellently moody and then hear what I am saying!   October 4, 2003
 14 out of 40 found this review helpful

This is the greatest CD I have heard from Dead Can Dance and I have heard them all and yes Enter the Labyrinth was not far behind.

My main drawback from the general 5 star Amazon rating that 31 people reportedly maintain is that the music is only cold. The Renaissance songs that the band covers are much more interesting to me in their original versions, the covers they do are hectic and while technically proficient do not burn me as much as I would appreciate in a cold manner.

Mr. Perry does initiate some strong vocals in the Black Sun which do not bore me, however the lyrics are mildly tiresome, if you actually research their intent; i.e. if I wanted to be preached to, I'd think church wasn't on every street corner and subscribe to Mr. Perry's heavy world view. Lisa Gerrard is interestingly kitsch as usual in her lack of interest in singing something sensical and really brings the hammer in several of the songs. Bravo, and that song on her solo CD, the Mirror Pool, Sanvean, #4 if memory serves, well before "Gladiator," that was the billy goat's gruff.

I think the tone wears thin on Dead Can Dance as a band when the coldness is just for being cold. I would've appreciated less impasses and more awareness and understanding, beauty aside, 4 stars. Buy the thing because it's excellently moody and then hear what I am saying! (The lyrics won't be listed in the CD and due to the fact that Brendan slurs musical phrasing, you will need to look online for the real lyrics)

Matthew Hahn, www.movingtracks.com