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Dead Magic
by
Dead Magic Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 29 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth full-length release for the Swedish singer-songwriter features a 20th century pipe organ and was produced by Randall Dunn.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. PopMatters
    Mar 5, 2018
    90
    The real wonder and power of Dead Magic, taken as a whole, is not how von Hausswolff taps into themes associated with darkness and decay, nor even that she pauses over them for long periods--and certainly in this vein a partial musical lineage may be traced back to experimental rock and post-rock like Swans and to doom metal like Skepticism and Earth--but it is that she is equally adept at finding beauty where beauty is rare.
  2. musicOMH.com
    Mar 1, 2018
    90
    Dead Magic is a brilliant artistic statement, Anna von Hausswolff’s best self-definition to date.
  3. Q Magazine
    Feb 26, 2018
    80
    This is menacing, magical stuff. [Apr 2018, p.116]
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  4. Uncut
    Feb 26, 2018
    80
    It's a cinematic experience that reaches a peak on the immense finale of "Ugly And Vengeful." [Apr 2018, p.37]
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  5. Mojo
    Feb 26, 2018
    80
    All told, Dead Magic is Hausswolff's finest work to date; a record of remarkable potency and intent. [Apr 2018, p.87]
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  6. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jun 6, 2018
    80
    von Haysswolff achieves a new drone nirvana with her unique mix of soprano wail and minimalist-but-grand gothic church organ. [May 2018, p.91]
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  7. The Skinny
    Feb 27, 2018
    20
    Dead Magic, though, is utterly derivative of the very few albums in this genre ever to succeed, and lacks all of their spark and life. Above all else it is unbearably, irredeemably boring.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Maraapie
    Jun 14, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Haunting, dark but always a light in the dark. Listing to it is almost a mystical experience, you will be drawn into another world and be taking on a journey through the dark and come out more fully transformed.… Expand
  2. Gizmo-Guy
    Jun 2, 2018
    10
    This album is utter excellence music-wise! Every element creates a deep and sophisticated hypnotic sound. Establishes a kind of extrinsicThis album is utter excellence music-wise! Every element creates a deep and sophisticated hypnotic sound. Establishes a kind of extrinsic control
    10/10    … Expand
  4. BarackOBatman
    May 29, 2018
    10
    This album is truly a black masterpiece. It is the musical embodiment of death, doom, decay, and all things sad/dark.
  5. fwtll636
    May 12, 2018
    9
    This release is the musical equivalent to a haunted mansion, or an old church organ, or walking through a graveyard at night. Whatever theThis release is the musical equivalent to a haunted mansion, or an old church organ, or walking through a graveyard at night. Whatever the comparison be, 'Dead Magic' is one-of-a-kind album that analyzes the dark place residing in Anna von Hausswolff's mind.… Expand
  6. OrenBrown
    Mar 2, 2018
    8
    This is special. A careful mixture of beautifully airy, yet sinister, highs, and unnervingly harrowing lows, this album maintains such aThis is special. A careful mixture of beautifully airy, yet sinister, highs, and unnervingly harrowing lows, this album maintains such a wonderfully dark ambiance throughout. Built on the foundation of amazing production that blends classical styles with electronic ambient and drone sounds, the album even strays in to rock territory on songs like "Ugly and Vengeful". von Hausswolff's vocal often walks a fine line between tortured and angelic, a duality which is seen on almost every track of the record. Beautiful, terrifying and refined, this is an extremely rewarding listen.… Expand

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