Pandemonaeon
San Francisco-based gothic tribal folk metal band Pandemonaeon celebrates the release of their third album, Dangerous Beauty. Founded by a guitarist with a penchant for unusual chords and a vocalist enchanted by Celtic melancholy, Pandemonaeon blends their driving rock sound with the delicate beauty of folk instruments such as violin, oud, saz, mandocello, bouzouki, flute, and percussion. Fleshing out their sound with heavy rhythm, lush keys and “beauty and the beast” vocal stylings, Pandemonaeon is reminiscent of a harder edged Dead Can Dance. Their sound has been described as “Dark tribal fusion with powerful vocals and metal accents” and “Music for bellydancers in combat boots”.
Captivated by the realms of myth and dream, Pandemonaeon draws on Celtic, Scandinavian, and Middle Eastern folk traditions, imbuing their songs with rich archetypal imagery and creating soundscapes both modern and timeless. At times haunting and stark, at times driving and passionate, the result is deeply evocative. Pandemonaeon’s archetypal themes and otherworldly sound have made them popular among neo-tribals, neo-Pagans, Tribal Fusion bellydancers and lovers of dark fantasy. Dangerous Beauty was chosen as the number one Pagan music release of 2010 by tastemaker Jason Pitzl-Waters of “The Wild Hunt “ blog and “A Darker Shade of Pagan” music podcast. Their music has also been featured in the cult horror film, “The Commune” (2009) and a Gothic Fusion bellydance DVD “Dark Imaginations” by Anaar (2009).
Following an early courtship by Warner Brothers, they have maintained a strident DIY ethic, adopting a warrior-like can-do attitude toward bringing their musical vision to light despite hardship. This steely-spirited commitment to perseverance is reflected proudly in Dangerous Beauty.
Track list
Magick, Music and Ritual 1 - Heart Girt With A Serpent 04:24
Heart Girt With A Serpent
(Crowley/Knight/Winter)
Originally from Dangerous Beauty, released 25 September 2010
Sharon Knight: lead vocals
Tim Rayborn: harmony vocals, saz
Paul Nordin: extreme vocals
Winter: acoustic & electric guitars
Caith Threefires: bass
Mark Abbott: drums
I am the Heart; and the Snake is entwined
About the invisible core of the mind.
Rise, O my snake! It is now is the hour
of the hooded and holy ineffable flower.
Rise, O my Snake, into the brilliance of bloom
On the corpse of Osiris afloat in the tomb!
O heart of my mother, my sister, mine own,
Thou art given to Nile, to the terror Typhon!
Ah me! but the glory of ravening storm
Enswathes thee and wraps thee in frenzy of form.
Be still, O my soul! that the spell may dissolve
As the wands are upraised, and the aeons revolve,
Behold! in my beauty how joyous Thou art,
O Snake that caresses the crown of mine heart!
Behold! we are one, and the tempest of years
Goes down to the dusk, and the Beetle appears.
O beetle! the drone of Thy dolorous note
Be ever the trance of this tremulous throat!
I await the awaking! The summons on high
From the lord Adonai, from the Lord Adonai!
– Liber LXV Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente sub figura ADNI
News
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