There is sure a lot of dark music out there – some of it darker than others… and, fortunately, not all of it sucks you down the depression hole or makes you feel like a ball of angst, having been immersed in so much negatively. Some of it is intellectual, some of it is quite creative and some of it takes us down the rabbit hole to a world of fantasy. That is very much the case with the band we present to you today – Dispel.
Inspired by lore, mythology and mysticism, the trio presents the single ‘Flames of Greed’, previewing their sophomore conceptual album ‘Inferno’. Based on Dante’s literary masterpiece, it features a song for each layer of sin existing in the infernal realm. This is an interesting find for lovers of goth rock and gothic metal, laced strongly with imagery and exploring thematics placing them firmly in favour with fantasy-minded folks or the musical types among role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons.
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Lead vocalist Ravensea plays the part of the diabolic and tormenting empress of greed Fierna, her powerful voice serenading the fallen souls who succumbed to greed in the material world, delivering their eternal fate in Hell. “All the gold, under the Moon, could not give you rest…”
Dispel follows Dante and his guide Virgil down each layer of the Nine Hells, dedicating a song to each level of mortal sin. Sprinkled with diabolical personalities from ancient mythology and fantasy literature, this undertaking took two years to complete.
Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Dispel is made up of Ravensea, Sean Gallows and Scott Dispel, a founding member of the old-school hardcore band Face Value and former drummer for TEXTBEAK, who is also a studio engineer, producer and award winning nightclub DJ. Laced with dark melodies, vocal depth and spiritual quests, Dispel creates a unique musical narrative, channelled through the prism of historic lore, mythology and mysticism.
Earlier, Dispel released the shimmering gothic metal ‘Journey Into Limbo’ and ‘Glasya’s Heresy (Acoustic version)‘, a deep acoustic ballad with saga-laden video filmed in South Africa. The rich piano prowess of Kate Farquharson complements Ravensea’s haunting voice as she sings of the sorrows and temptations of this forbidden realm.
Produced by Dispel, this album was mastered at The Cage Studios in Coventry by Martin Bowes of Attrition, well known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, Psychic TV and Steven Severin (Siouxsie & the Banshees).
Scott Dispel. shares some words about this new release:
“Influenced by an equal mix of darkwave beats, Medieval literature, and conceptual rock albums, the music behind Dispel was born. But soon after the completion of our debut album ‘Lore’, the world went on lockdown! So we headed back into the studio to create another conceptual album, but we had to up the ante. A spiderweb-ridden bookshelf held the key – “Dante’s Inferno” in its timeless glory. Putting a literary masterpiece to music was no small task, we had to do it justice through attention to detail, utilizing actual texts and adding mythological personalities, herein combining rock music and world literature.”
Dispel has roots in the early 90’s hardcore punk scene, when a German underground goth-Industrial club inspired Scott Dispel to transition from performing with Face Value to pursuing electronica. Inspired by Sisters of Mercy, Clan of Xymox, Depeche Mode and VNV Nation, he formed Dispel after gaining a music degree and recording studio experience. Dispel took form upon meeting Ravensea, a Berklee vocal performance / music therapy major with a powerful voice and insight into music’s power to transcend language and cultural barriers.
‘Flames of Greed’ is out now, available across online music platforms, includingApple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. But it’s just easier to find everything at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dispel/flames-of-greed. On October 12, the full ‘Inferno’ LP will be released on CD, vinyl (with full color insert) and digitally.
CREDITS
Ravensea – Vocals
Scott Dispel – Drums & Keyboards
Sean Gallows – Vocals & Bass
Leonard (Maldurin) Kemenani – Guitar
Jamie (Valkyrie X) Baisden – Bass
Kate Farquharson – Piano
Joe Cilento – Acoustic Guitar
Barry Gelderblom – Vocal Narrative
Keith Farquharson – Production (special thanks)
Recorded and mixed at Dispel Studios US
Mastered by Martin ‘Attrition’ Bowes @ Cage Studios UK
‘Glasya’s Heresy’ cover artwork by Klaudia Bezak
TRACK LIST
1. Gate Prelude (1:12)
2. Journey Into Limbo (4:18)
3. Dispater’s Lust (5:51)
4. Bog of Gluttony (6:06)
5. Flames of Greed (5:04)
6. Geryon’s Wrath (4:20)
7. Glasya’s Heresy (Acoustic Version) (4:38)
8. Rings of Violence (5:20)
9. Citadel of Fraud (4:12)
10. Cistern of Treachery (7:24)
11. Escape Epilogue (3:16)
Follow, support and fan out over Dispel
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