The second offering of new Dead Can Dance compositions post their departure from the revered indie label 4AD in the late 90's, 'Dionysus' picks up more from where 1996's 'Spiritchaser' left off, and less from their previous "sis/sus" effort in 2012, 'Anastasis'.
The concern with Dead Can Dance in the present day is that their new output, however trickling (this is six years now between new releases), relies too heavily on the well-worn paths they've forged before; keeping those trails mowed every few years in an attempt to keep themselves relevant, but ironically offering nothing that will substantially benefit or significantly supplement their prior discography with any real consequence. 'Dionysus' is a reminder of the sound of Dead Can Dance, at best, and nothing more - right on down to the twilling jungle bird sound bytes that add both dramatic effect, as well as compliment this new handful of tribal chants and overtures, that so readily lend themselves to that kind of theatric garnish. This was a studio effect that served them well on their breakthrough U.S. release on 1993's 'Into The Labryrinth' on the (let's just call it a) hit promotional single "Yulunga (Spirit Dance)" from that album.
Dead Can Dance's current stasis (which would be an appropriate album title for any compilation of their most recent two efforts) is not unique. The majority of our beloved at-one-time foragers of new and amazing soundscapes from the 1990's have aged now, leaning heavily on the claims to fame of their salad days - and to their benefit in this regard - their fanbase is aging too. And so much like a diehard Pink Floyd fan will still hail any shred of new material from any remainder of the band as just as fresh and vibrant as before... those of us with more critical minds will cock an eyebrow or shrug the effort off entirely. 'Dionysus' is Dead Can Dance in fine form, but it's not a form we haven't seen them take before, and your disposition on nostalgia will be what you put into this album, just as much as what you expect to get out of it.
