Death's dark figure looms large over Icelandic
psychedelic overlords Dead Skeletons and the mantra-like ruminations contained
within Dead Magick. Despite the skull gracing the cover of this epic 12-song
collection, this is no morbid reflection on the inevitability that faces us all
though scratching below the surface you'd be forgiven for thinking so. Dead
Skeletons' main man Jón Sæmundur Audarson has been living with HIV for almost
20 years and his determination to seize life by the lapels rather than cowering
in the shadow of death informs this album throughout. As the opening track
'Dead Mantra' states in four different languages, "He who fears death
cannot enjoy life."
‘Dead Magick I' is the sound of Suicide transported to
some infernal version of the Kit Kat Club as electronic pulses and throbs
collide with off-kilter piano as elsewhere, most notably on 'Lifðu!/Live!',
relentless motorik beats keep up the breathless sense of momentum. But there
are more subtle moments here too. 'Om Mani Peme Hung' sees guitar lines
crossing sequencers like warning shots across a ship's bow and in doing so
offers more textures than would be imagined and with a total running time of 72
minutes, Dead Skeletons are masters of creating pace and drama. It's a long
ride for sure but then again, reaching for the stars has hardly ever been a
soft option.