Dead Magic (studio album) by Anna Von Hausswolff

From VictorVale 05/24/2022 15:13

Divino!

chilling

A growing interest in her is nice. Try out Ceremony! Some very nice experiences

From Kalos 08/09/2018 21:27

Gothic post-rock a-la Swans, supported by wonderful, eclectic, brave vocals. The sound and the crescendos are the usual ones we have heard millions of times in the past, so no surprises...sometimes a glow of great melody blasts in magic, and after that the magic...is dead, in well-known patterns. I guess she's more a fantastic performer

From Torchlin 07/31/2018 20:49

It's like a Swans album except it manages to keep my attention all the way through.
The first 3 tracks are simply marvelous, easy AOTY contender.

I really like Anna's spooky soprano style. She has a beautiful voice. The music is very atmospheric, dark. There is definitely something distinctly Nordic about it, for the instrumental style reminds me a bit of the viking music of the Norwegian band Wardruna (no direct comparison intended). The prominent role for the organ in Anna's music is also a bonus. However, the music doesn't progress very quickly. It might be too slow in that regard for some.

1. The Truth, The Glow, The Fall (12:08)
As the soundscape builds up, Anna starts singing in unison with the organ riff she's been playing and she goes on from there. The musical theme changes several times in the following minutes, really building energy. The sound gets more layered. This is probably 'the Glow' the title refers to. After 7 minutes only soundscape remains, as we are dragged into 'the Fall'. The expresses agony in her voice as we conclude the track. Overall I was really impressed with the structure of the track and the musicality of it.

2. The Mysterious Vanishing of Electra (6:09)
This is just a soaring track. She really goes for the high notes in this song and uses drama in her voice. The track has a strong riff, which seems to express some kind of urgency. In the last minutes she changes melody as the music gets louder and more intense.

3. Ugly & Vengeful (16:17)
I'm not sure what to think of this track. Unlike with the first track, I don't really get the feeling it's going somewhere, which might be okay if you dig the feeling of it. However, it shares the strong points of the first track (beautiful soundscapes, strong enough musical themes). Anna drags us further into her world.

4. The Marble Eye (5:19)
Just a beautiful instrumental organ track. Even though the atmosphere is the same as in the other tracks, more brightness and cheerfulness come through in how she plays the organ here. It has pop sensibility. The contrast with the previous track is welcome.

5. Källans återuppståndelse (7:26)
The opening instrumental is very dreamy. Again the organ playing seems quite bright to me, though some level of desperation remains. She sings very warmly on this track. A beautiful closing track.

Anna Von Hausswolff is Kate Bush trapped in The Upside Down.

Fav Track: The Mysterious Vanishing of Electra

Very haunting and cinematic album. I love the nightmarish and macabre elements.

Best track: The Truth, The Glow, The Fall

Very Diamanda Galas isn't it, but it's also reminiscent to fellow Scandinavian Susanne Sundfør and her "Ten Love Songs".. you know, if you scrub off the synthpop and replace it with experimental rock and oppressive darkness. "Dead Magic" is an epic, powerful record full of atmosphere. Those vocals are great and I have an abundance of love for that organ. Funnily enough, a neoclassical darkwave album has just become the best album of 2018 (so far) for me.

There are a few awesome moments here and there.

B