Members

Select a Dead Can Dance band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

About

Dead Can Dance is an Australian musical group known for their eclectic fusion of post-punk, neoclassical darkwave, and medieval folk elements. Formed in Melbourne in 1981, the band is anchored by the core duo of Brendan Perry (vocals, guitar, multi-instrumentalist) and Lisa Gerrard (vocals, yangqin). Over the years, Dead Can Dance has evolved to include a variety of additional musicians, creating a rich and diverse sound that seamlessly blends European folk influences with ambient and worldbeat textures. Their relocation to London in the early 1980s marked the beginning of a successful career with the 4AD label, leading to critically acclaimed albums that have left a lasting impact on the ethereal and gothic music scenes.

How to Sound Like Dead Can Dance

Dead Can Dance's sound is characterized by its atmospheric and ethereal textures, often creating a haunting, otherworldly ambiance. The music incorporates lush, reverberant vocals and a tapestry of world instruments, contributing to its unique sonic landscape. To emulate their vibe, musicians might focus on creating deep atmospheric soundscapes with the use of multi-effects processors, such as the Eventide H9 Max, and vibrato effects like those from the Boss VB-2W Vibrato. These tools, combined with the rich harmonic layers of instruments like the Greek Bouzouki and Traditional Yangqin Hammered Dulcimer, can help musicians recreate the mystical and expansive aura that defines Dead Can Dance's music.

Discography

Dead Can Dance (Remastered) album cover

Dead Can Dance (Remastered)

1984

Spleen and Ideal (Remastered) album cover

Spleen and Ideal (Remastered)

1985

Within the Realm of a Dying Sun (Remastered) album cover

Within the Realm of a Dying Sun (Remastered)

1987

The Serpent's Egg (Remastered) album cover

The Serpent's Egg (Remastered)

1988

Aion (Remastered) album cover

Aion (Remastered)

1990

A Passage in Time album cover

A Passage in Time

1991

Into the Labyrinth (Remastered) album cover

Into the Labyrinth (Remastered)

1993

Toward the Within (Remastered) album cover

Toward the Within (Remastered)

1994

Spiritchaser (Remastered) album cover

Spiritchaser (Remastered)

1996

Wake album cover

Wake

2002

Anastasis album cover

Anastasis

2012

In Concert (Live) album cover

In Concert (Live)

2013

Garden of the Arcane Delights + Peel Sessions album cover

Garden of the Arcane Delights + Peel Sessions

2016

Dionysus album cover

Dionysus

2018

Live from Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA. September 17th, 2005 album cover

Live from Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA. September 17th, 2005

2021

Live from Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland. March 10th, 2005 album cover

Live from Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland. March 10th, 2005

2021

Live from Massey Hall, Toronto, ON. October 1st, 2005 album cover

Live from Massey Hall, Toronto, ON. October 1st, 2005

2021

Live from Palais Des Congrès, Paris, France. March 14th, 2005 album cover

Live from Palais Des Congrès, Paris, France. March 14th, 2005

2021

Live from Lille Grand Palais, Lille, France. March 16th, 2005 album cover

Live from Lille Grand Palais, Lille, France. March 16th, 2005

2021

Live from Théâtre St-Denis, Montreal, QC. October 2nd, 2005 album cover

Live from Théâtre St-Denis, Montreal, QC. October 2nd, 2005

2021

Live from Paleis Voor Schone Kunsten, Brussels, Belgium. March 17th, 2005 album cover

Live from Paleis Voor Schone Kunsten, Brussels, Belgium. March 17th, 2005

2021

Live from Teatro Lope De Vega, Madrid, Spain. March 21st, 2005 album cover

Live from Teatro Lope De Vega, Madrid, Spain. March 21st, 2005

2021

Live from Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA. October 5th, 2005 album cover

Live from Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA. October 5th, 2005

2021

Live from Auditori Forum, Barcelona, Spain. March 22nd, 2005 album cover

Live from Auditori Forum, Barcelona, Spain. March 22nd, 2005

2021

Live from Teatro Dal Verme, Milan, Italy. March 24th, 2005 album cover

Live from Teatro Dal Verme, Milan, Italy. March 24th, 2005

2021

Live from the Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, MD. October 10th, 2005 album cover

Live from the Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, MD. October 10th, 2005

2021

Live from Kölner Philharmonie, Cologne, Germany. March 26th, 2005 album cover

Live from Kölner Philharmonie, Cologne, Germany. March 26th, 2005

2022

Live from Münchner Philharmoniker, Munich, Germany. March 27th, 2005 album cover

Live from Münchner Philharmoniker, Munich, Germany. March 27th, 2005

2022

Live from Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL. October 12th, 2005 album cover

Live from Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL. October 12th, 2005

2022

Live from Barbican Theatre, London. April 6th, 2005 album cover

Live from Barbican Theatre, London. April 6th, 2005

2022

Live from Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA. September 18th, 2005 album cover

Live from Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA. September 18th, 2005

2022

Live from The Forum, London, UK. April 7th, 2005 album cover

Live from The Forum, London, UK. April 7th, 2005

2022

Live from Théâtre St-Denis, Montreal, QC. October 4th, 2005 album cover

Live from Théâtre St-Denis, Montreal, QC. October 4th, 2005

2022

Live from Prins Willem Alexander zaal, the Hague, Netherlands. March 12th, 2005 album cover

Live from Prins Willem Alexander zaal, the Hague, Netherlands. March 12th, 2005

2022

Selections from North America 2005 album cover

Selections from North America 2005

2022

Get the Dead Can Dance Sound

Want to sound like Dead Can Dance? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.

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