Anastasis is the eighth studio album by Dead Can Dance, a band that combines elements of European folk music — particularly music from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance — with ambient pop and worldbeat genres. The album was released on August 13, 2012, which makes it their first studio album after a 16-year hiatus.
The title of the album, "Anastasis", is a Greek word that means "resurrection", symbolizing the band's reunion. Consisting of eight tracks, the album is highly praised for its expressive intensity, variety, and meticulous production.
Notable pieces in the album include "Children of the Sun", "Anabasis", "Agape", and the hauntingly beautiful "Return of the She-King". These songs continue the band's tradition of wide-ranging global influences, with touches of Gaelic folk, Middle Eastern percussion, and Eastern European orchestration.
The album received critical acclaim globally and was a commercial success, reaching the top 50 charts in more than 10 countries. Despite Dead Can Dance's long absence, Anastasis was viewed as a strong return to form, displaying the band's continued ability to produce stirring and evocative music. It displayed a vast journey through world music influences, spiritual lyrical narratives, and elaborate orchestral arrangements — all characteristics of the band’s signature sound.
