Diamanda Galás’ fourth reissue on her own label continues with 1986’s Saint of the Pit. This is the second part of the Plague Mass trilogy Galás composed during the 1980s AIDS epidemic. First is an electronic instrumental, “La treizième revient” (The Thirteenth Returns),” followed by a beautiful and chilling aria, “Εξελόυμε” (Deliver Me).” Poems by French decadents like Charles Baudelaire are transformed by Galás’ fluency with the text and an unfathomable multi-octave vocal prowess that can’t be ignored. In an age of vapid pop stars and media darlings, Diamanda Galás’ intelligence, talent, and vision has rightfully earned her the title of artist.
Image via Intravenal Sound Operations
