Defixiones: Will & Testament

Diamanda Galas | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 24, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B0002IQB3K
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,072 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Ter Vogormia

2. The Desert {part one}

3. The Desert {part two}

4. Sevda Zinciri

5. Holokaftoma

6. Ter Vogormia {reprise}

7. The Eagle Of Tkhuma

8. Orders From The Dead

Disc: 2

1. Hastayim Yasiyorum

2. San Peqanw sto Karabi

3. Je Rame

4. Epmstola a Los Transezntes

5. Birds Of Death

6. Anoixe

7. Todesfuge

8. Artemis

9. See That My Grave Is Kept Clean

Editorial Reviews

2003 project from the avant-garde performer investigates the little known Armenian, Assyrian, & Greek genocides carried out by Turkey between 1914 & 1923, with the singer articulating the anger & sorrow of the dispossessed through the words of exiled poets & writers alongside her own texts. Includes 48-page hardback book with b&w photos of some of the atrocities. 17 tracks. Mute. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mad Return of The Greatest Voice of Our Generation, April 20, 2005

By 

Baron Dakota (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Defixiones: Will & Testament (Audio CD)

Defixiones is Ms. Galas's most recent outing, and nearly 20 years after her earliest recordings, ranks easily among the best of her career. This 2 disc set touches, and improves upon ALL of her most innovative techniques, to the point of coming off as the truest sequel to her earth-shattering, seminal trilogy, "Masque Of The Red Death". While that set dealt primarily with the AIDS epidemic, and was a formal condemnation of "God" and the world's medieval reaction to its victims, "Defixiones" concerns itself with the Greek, Assyrian, and Armenian genocides perpetrated by the Turks at the start of the 20th century. Both of these sets I've mentioned are easily applicable to the current state of affairs throughout the world, as well as the struggles of those who've been deprived a voice throughout history. The clarity of Diamanda's multi-octave vocals are beyond compare here. A+

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a voice for the dead, October 13, 2005

By 

R. G. Wheeler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Defixiones: Will & Testament (Audio CD)

Incredible strength of will and fearlessness are natural born assets for Diamanda, but for her to speak so powerfully and truthfully on behalf of the unwilling dead; victims of greed-driven genocide and religious violence, takes a huge emotional toll. She's such an intense composer and performer that weak-hearted individuals will shrink back from what they hear, and so they should. Those of us who understand are just so glad that someone with such strength of character exists in the world and chooses not to remain silent. Her vocal artillery and thunderous mastery of the keys is magnificently overwhelming and anybody who seeks the fire of real emotion would do well to buy her albums in pairs.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, January 31, 2004

By 

Abelardo Bernal "intravenous" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Defixiones Will & Testament (Audio CD)

The scope of this project is astounding. Diamanda is a treasure. This work, filled with reproach and retribution, has a measured quality that belies her years and years of preparation and discipline. Intellectually it's far superior than any other 'alternative' project I've come across. Ter Vogormia is sung in Bel Canto. Usually she sings in a more 'nasal' manner, so it was quite shocking to hear her sing so 'beautifully'. I was mesmerized. The Desert (part one) is harrowing. The subtle desert sound effects in the background contrast with the supplication and reproach in her voice. Sevda Zinciri is reminiscent of middle eastern devotional music. Except, as in Ter Vogormia, for example, there is a dialogue of polar opposites. On the one hand, there is resignation and despair, on the other, there is anger and accusation. Her versatility and complexity is extraordinary. Orders from the Dead is intense and most reminiscent of Plague Mass. She presents the voice of the dead and of witnesses of death to us and demands that we listen, that we not forget their memory. I could go on and on but more research is needed for me to do this project any justice. I haven't even gotten to disc two yet. I love this woman. The disc has not been easy to find, but thanks to Amazon.com I own a copy.