4AD to Release Remastered Dead Can Dance Catalog in June

Dead Can Dance (The Early Days)

As excited as I am about the U2 reissues coming out this July, I think I might be more excited by this news: on June 2, 4AD will release remastered versions of all 9 of their Dead Can Dance releases, including the Garden Of The Arcane Delights EP and the Toward The Within live album.

The remastered versions will be released on the SACD format and will be packaged in Japanese paper sleeves with artwork that replicates the original UK vinyl artwork, and will feature lyrics, album labels, etc.

For those not on the SACD bandwagon, regular CD versions will be released in August in super jewel cases (presumably the same packaging used for the The Show’s live Dead Can Dance albums). Furthermore, a box set contain all nine discs may be made available at some time.

I’m excited primarily because Dead Can Dance were phenomenal at creating otherworldly sound layers, blending together Renaissance and medieval music with traditional folk and world music influences. The result was something that could comfortably fit within the “goth,” “world music,” “folk,” and “new age” categories, without really being any one of those things. Getting to hear this music remastered, with all of the ethereal sonic details in greater clarity, should be a real treat.

More information, including track listings, can be found on the 4AD website. Also, read my review of the Dead Can Dance, 1981 – 1998 collection.

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