Dead Can Dance (album)

Dead Can Dance is the debut album by the Australian musical project Dead Can Dance, released in February 1984 by 4AD. The album showcases the early gothic rock and ethereal wave sound of the band, distinct from their later, more world music-influenced works. It features both Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry's vocals, which would become a defining characteristic of their sound.

The album's tracks are characterized by atmospheric instrumentation, including guitars, synthesizers, and Perry's distinctive bass lines. Gerrard's vocals often take on a wordless, operatic quality, while Perry provides darker, more introspective lyrics and vocal performances. The lyrical themes explored on the album include isolation, decay, and the cyclical nature of life and death.

Dead Can Dance received generally positive reviews upon its release, although its relatively lo-fi production and stark sound were not universally appreciated. Despite this, the album has come to be regarded as a classic of the gothic rock and ethereal wave genres and remains a significant milestone in the band's discography. It established the core elements of Dead Can Dance's unique musical aesthetic, paving the way for their subsequent, more experimental and globally-influenced albums. The album cover features a New Guinea tribal mask, hinting at the band's later exploration of world music traditions.