Cleveland, Ohio’s dark electro-goth collective, Dispel, presents their sophomore release, Inferno, a concept album based on Dante’s literary masterpiece. Each layer of sin existing in the infernal realm is represented in song.
Dispel is made up of Ravensea, Sean Gallows, and Scott Dispel (Face Value, Textbeak). On this album, Dispel follows Dante and his guide Virgil down each layer of the Nine Hells, dedicating a song to each level of mortal sin. Laced with dark melodies, vocal depth and spiritual quests, Dispel creates a unique musical
narrative, channelled through the prism of historical lore, mythology, and mysticism. Sprinkled with diabolical personalities from ancient mythology and fantasy literature, this undertaking took two years to complete.
“(We were) influenced by an equal mix of darkwave beats, Medieval literature, and conceptual rock albums…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,” says Scott Dispel. “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.”
Their efforts paid off: the result is an album that takes the listener on a journey through the shadow realm, confronting the seven deadly sins, and tapping into the mysteries of the occult. It’s a fabulous collaboration of talents, theatricality, and intellectual pursuit.
The trio also presents lore-filled visual accompaniment in the ‘Flames of Greed’ video. Directed and edited by filmmaker Rafeeq Roberts, vocalist Ravensea play 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. This clip also features actress/model Robin O’Malley, Goth Jen Brunfel, Levie Mckenzie, Colt Mire, Aaron Brunfel, and Scott Dispel as the Plague Doctor.
Watch the video for “Flames of Greed”
Earlier, Dispel released the shimmering gothic metal “Journey Into Limbo” and “Glasya’s Heresy (Acoustic version),” a deep acoustic ballad with a saga-laden video, filmed in South Africa. Kate Farquharson’s rich piano prowess complements Ravensea’s haunting voice as she sings of the sorrows and temptations of this forbidden realm.
Watch the video for “Glasya’s Heresy(Acoustic version)”:
Produced by Dispel, ‘Inferno’ was mastered at The Cage Studios by Martin Bowes of Attrition, well known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, Psychic TV and Steven Severin (Siouxsie & the Banshees). 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.
Watch the video for “Journey into Limbo”:
Inferno is available now across online music platforms. The album will be released on CD and vinyl (with a striking full-colour insert). Earlier-released singles can otherwise be found on Spotify.
Dispel’s Inferno is out now.
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