Plague Mass
Diamanda Galás · 1991
72 min · 14 tracks · experimental music
A haunting blend of operatic vocals and unsettling soundscapes that confronts themes of death and despair.
Top tracks — play these first
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There Are No More Tickets to the Funeral: Were You a Witness (III) — This track encapsulates the emotional weight of the album with its powerful vocal delivery and stark thematic content about loss and witnessing suffering.
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This Is the Law of the Plague (Leviticus, Ch. 15 Old Testament, Psalms 22, 58, 59) — By incorporating biblical texts, this song highlights the intersection of faith and disease, showcasing Galás's ability to weave political commentary into her music.
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Confessional (Give Me Sodomy or Give Me Death) — The provocative title and intense vocal performance challenge listeners' perceptions of sexuality and morality within the context of epidemic fear.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's complex structure and powerful execution create a unique listening experience that confronts deep themes.
What we noticed
- The album consists of a series of interconnected pieces that blend operatic vocals with dissonant soundscapes, creating an immersive experience.
- Each track features multiple sections that shift in intensity, often moving from quiet, haunting passages to explosive vocal outbursts.
- The use of religious texts and themes throughout the lyrics adds a layer of complexity and provocation, challenging the listener's perceptions.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting explorations of mortality
- cathartic release of despair
- intense emotional confrontations
- immersive dark thematic journeys
- reflective moments of anguish
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of upbeat energy
- prefer lighthearted listening experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1991, Plague Mass was Diamanda Galás's follow-up to her critically acclaimed album The Divine Punishment. At this point in her career, she was already recognized as a pioneering figure in experimental music, tackling provocative subjects such as the AIDS crisis and societal indifference. This album solidified her reputation for pushing artistic boundaries and confronting uncomfortable truths through her unique vocal style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Meredith Monk· Sofia Gubaidulina· Kaja Draksler
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 There Are No More Tickets to the Funeral: Were You a Witness (I) 2:33
- 2 There Are No More Tickets to the Funeral: Were You a Witness (II) 4:10
- 3 There Are No More Tickets to the Funeral: Were You a Witness (III) 6:30
- 4 This Is the Law of the Plague (Leviticus, Ch. 15 Old Testament, Psalms 22, 58, 59) 11:45
- 5 I Wake Up and I See the Face of the Devil (I) 3:43
- 6 I Wake Up and I See the Face of the Devil (II) 2:16
- 7 Confessional (Give Me Sodomy or Give Me Death) 4:17
- 8 How Shall Our Judgement Be Carried Out Upon the Wicked (Excerpts From Revelations 19:11–14 and Revelations 16:12–16) 8:37
- 9 Let Us Praise the Masters of Slow Death 5:54
- 10 Consecration 3:44
- 11 Sono l’antichristo 3:09
- 12 Cris d’aveugle (Blind Man’s Cry) 10:02
- 13 Let My People Go 4:37
- 14 There Are No More Tickets to the Funeral 1:27
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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