Anastasis - the resurrection. Like a phoenix from the ashes. Always wished, wanted and hoped for, especially since the world tour in 2005, and always refused by both musicians due to musical differences, till 2011. And now, legendary DEAD CAN DANCE release a new album, 16 years after Spiritchaser. Meanwhile not too surprising anymore is the release of Anastasis though a little wonder. And so we can stand up again, as we did it in 2005, and fervently proclaim: “This is one for the books!”

Of course, Anastasis is once again a hauntingly beautiful album, an invitation to lose yourself, a journey, a symbiosis, the essence of DEAD CAN DANCE in the new millennium. And though…
…Does it seem as if time has stopped. Anastasis seamlessly picks up where Spiritchaser was left off 16 years ago; or ties up with Brendan Perry’s album Ark alternatively. Especially opening track Children Of The Sun could have been found on both mentioned records.
As the last two official DEAD CAN DANCE records and Perry’s sophomore, also Anastasis is deeply rooted in a special ambient style of World Music, with a strong African and Oriental influence, best heard in the unmatched percussion work, wrapped with Perry’s wonderfully sonorous voice and Gerrard’s unique onomatopoetic singing with a touch of (Celtic) Folk and Art Rock.

Stylistic nothing new one might reckon. And though, one little detail strikes. It seems that Lisa Gerrard allows much more room to Brendan Perry. It is Perry’s special sound cosmos that dominates Anastasis. It feels almost like as if Lisa Gerrard is the guest singer on Brendan Perry’s new album. Furthermore it appears to me that both much more operate together than side by side.

Anastasis is, as usual for DEAD CAN DANCE, a total work of art, to repeat Mr. McFarlaine: “...soundscapes of mesmerizing grandeur and solemn beauty”. It is almost impossible to point out single songs as highlights or for recommendations. I personally get mostly touched by Opium and All In Good Time.

As we learnt about this new album release expectations of course rose topless. And I have to admit that I expected not more but something different, a new style, new elements, a new sound. A plain continuation of the old I did not expect and to me it seems not… adequate. Of course, that is quibble on a very high level but reduces the rating. So no 10 out of 10 points.