A PASSAGE IN TIME

A passage In Time is DCD's first compilation and all the same also DCD's first release proper in North America. So logically, this compilation was mostly axed at the newer NA fans having just discovered the group after their first New World tour, which was highly successful, even more surprising that Aion was not released in the US at the time. So logically, APIT concentrates on AION (5 tracks) and on Serpent's Egg (6 tracks), while previous works (Dying Sun >> 2 tracks & Spleen >> just one) that have gone almost irrelevant by now are just merely presented.

Their debut is completely shunned (thankfully) and the group also added two tracks that were recorded for this release precisely, thus not making this a pure compilation. Surprisingly enough these two "bonus" tracks are very different from the rest of the compilation, the first, Bird, expanding into World or Ethnic music, which hints at their future works, but up to that track, there wasn't much to lead in that direction. The closing Spirit, however goes right back to their Gothic post punk days, done with better taste and evoking The Cult's debut album, Love.

On the whole, this compilation tried to pull an honest overview of DCD's progression to their actual stage of medieval music, but tend to under-feature their other penchants for Gothic or Ambient. Not that it should deter you from getting it as perfect intro to DCD's universe provided you are aware of the full discography and their constant evolution.