From: ksm@abb-sc.abb-sc.com (Ashley)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Pagan Music List (Re: Help with Songs...)
Date: 12 Jan 93 00:57:23 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: Kaos Laboratories


	As requested, a listing of pagan musicians or groups. Forgive me if I 
am a little flustered, I'm going from the top of my head. As can be expected, 
the list only includes groups and recordings that I have heard or been told of. 

	I also describe the possible use of such music for ritual. Apologies 
to those of you who can use the Rolling Stones as background, my perspective 
is geared towards people who like softer music in the background. If you 
want me to describe the type of music one of these bands makes with 
further comparisons the sound to another group before you go out and spend 
your hard earned cash, let me know.

	I also welcome e-mailed reviews, follow-ups and additions of pagan 
bands or bands that follow pagan themes. I will include them in this list 
and post or e-mail it in the future acording to request.

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And Also The Trees - 
	I am not sure if they are pagan, but a friend who worked with them 
in the studio tells me they most definitely are. No obvious pagan themes in 
the music, but possible hints in some songs. Possible use in ritual.


Cocteau Twins - 
	Recently this band's entire catalog has been released by Capitol 
records in the US and is no longer hard to come by. The earliest recordings 
contain chants and invocations with heavy guitars, later recordings become 
very etherial with lots of electronic effects, choruses and reverbs. 
Elizabeth Frasier does the vocals and her voice is very beautiful and 
expressive. Much of their music could be easily incorporated into ritual. 
I often use the "Stars in my eyes, stars at my feet/womb in the belly, 
capital place - the then shallow she, the earth as we know it/the then 
hallow'd she, a sky for the sacred" chant from the first album in ritual.


Current 93 - 
	I am unsure of the exact leanings of this band, earlier albums are 
almost noise-music, sometimes epic pieces for over 20 minutes. In any case 
there is a very heavy Aleister Crowley influnece on the lyrics and serious 
pagan/wiccan/earth magick leanings. The musical style varies from harps and 
fiddles to grungy guitars. In the import/independant section of your 
larger music store. Some of their pieces would be great for ritual 
use, but not all.


Dead Can Dance - 
	Usually found in the import/independant section of larger music 
stores, this group is fronted by Brandon Perry and Lisa Gerrard. Lisa is 
naturally multi-phonic and has an utterly incerdible voice. Any opertunity 
to see one of their rare recitals (*not* concerts) is well worth the time and 
money spent. They utilize a variety of instruments and musical styles, 
ranging from the atmospheric rock of their early recordings to the 
recreations of 12th century dance music on their later recordings. The 
nature of their religious beliefs are uncertain, but from the outfits Lisa 
wears on stage, there is no question that she at least is very pagan. All 
their music could easily be incorporated into ritual.


Death In June - 
	I seldom know what to make of this band, they go from a 
Judeao-Christian gnostic perspective to earth centered magickal 
perspective. Early works are heavier with guitars and grunge and 
infinitly repeating samlping. Later works seem to be more guitar, synth, 
harps and violins. In the indepentant/import section of your larger music 
store. Possibly useful for ritual, but borderline.


Fields Of The Niefelim - 
	Recently this band broke up, but the members are all continuing in 
different incarnations. A very ceremonial magickal influence is in the 
lyrics some Crowley influence. The close of their last album was a song 
about two lovers in the Summerlands, one soul begging another not to seek 
reincarnation. Lots of effect laden guitars, if the Sisters Of Mercy wheren't 
suicidally depressed, they might sound like this. This is rock music and not 
easily used in ritual.


Liabana - 
	May or may not be pagan themselves, they nonethe less have put out 
some pagan music. Difficult to find, try special order or the 
import/indepentant sections. Possible for ritual use.


Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac - 
	Although some think that she is only a "show-pagan", Stevie really 
is one of us and her music occasionally shows it. No need to describe it 
as if you have not heard Fleetwood Mac, one can only wonder what stone you 
have been hiding under for the past few deacdes.


6th Comm - 
	The most violently anti-Christian pagan band I have ever heard, a 
lot of sacrificial themes. In recent years Patrick O'Kill has been working 
heavily with Freja Aswin (know I spelled that wrong) and the music has 
become much less angry and very Norse centered. The best albums for this 
are "Seething" and "Fruits Of Ygdrsyl". Available in the import/independant 
section of larger or specialty music stores. Some of the later works would be 
very appropriate for Norse or women's ritual. 


Sky Cries Mary - 
	Their EP includes a cover of "The River Is Flowing" and the band's 
pagan leanings is one of the worst kept secrets of the seattle music 
scene. Etherial pop tunes, aside from "The River..." not particularly 
applicable to ritual use.


Sol Invictus - 
	This band is only found in larger music stores import/independant 
sections. Tony Wakeford is the center of the band. His writing can be 
rather morose and gloom-laden, but is well worth it for the lighter 
tracks. Early work has rough production work and the songs are much 
angrier. He occasionsally covers old English folk tunes like "The 
Raven/Michael" quite well. Available in the import/independant section of 
your larger music stores. Very God oriented, but probably listening 
music, not ritual.


This Mortal Coil - 
	This band actually exists in the studio only and features guest 
appearences from any number of other bands on the English 4AD label. The 
songs range from popish to noise, but always have an undercurrent of 
beauty and sadness. I include them here becuse of the strong influnece of 
Lisa Gerrard and Elizabeth Frasier on the band. Memebers of Dead Can Dance 
and Cocteau Twins are frequent guests and their pagan influences can be felt 
in the music. If this band is to your taste, you would probably also like 
"His Name Is Alive". I have no idea if HNIA is pagan or not, but the musical 
style is very similar. In any case both band's music is easily useful in 
ritual and again, available in the import/independant section of your 
larger music stores. Last Samhain I used "I Come And Knock At Every Door" 
by This Mortal Coil to invoke death and it is a perfect piece for this 
purpose.
Newsgroups: alt.pagan