The Black Labyrinth / Requiem for the Goblin King is the thirteenth studio album by Cuban American dark cabaret singer Voltaire, released on December 26, 2022. The album is a tribute to David Bowie and acts as a sequel to the 1986 film, Labyrinth, recorded with 15 musicians that have worked with Bowie in the past.
On September 2, 2022, Voltaire released the first single of the album, Oubliette, with the album releasing 3 months later.
When asked about the album's story elements, Voltaire said "It was written very, very much to be a musical. It has a full story, just like any musical. And there are songs that, while they’re all sung by me as it’s my 13th album, they are written to be sung by different characters from the story, After years of recording this record, the moment it was finished, I put it on. I sat back and I closed my eyes and I pretended I was watching this play on Broadway and I wept openly. And there were moments where I cried because it’s sad. There were moments where I cried because it’s beautiful, but I cried a lot."
The Black Labyrinth features 15 musicians that worked with David Bowie in the past, including Mike Garson, Gail Ann Dorsey, as well as members of My Chemical Romance and the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Background The tracks Little White Lies and What Will We Do? first premiered on Voltaire's YouTube channel in 2021, two years before the album's release, with pre orders made available on December 8, 2022.
A novel based on the book which expands on the story of the album was announced, but subsequently delayed, announced on Voltaire's website in his FAQ section.
The final track is a medley of the David Bowie songs Magic Dance and Underground.
Track listing
Personnel Vocals - Aurelio Voltaire Trombone - Dave Gibson, Egor Remmer & Lev Borovskiy Cello - Rebecca Subero, Artem Litovchenko & Lizzy Munson Timbales - Alejandro Perez Morales French Horn - Meredith Moore Trumpet - Dima Ivasenko, Lev Borovskiy & Kiku Collins Marimba - Ostap Tomchuk Percussion - Ostap Tomchuk Oboe - Daniel Walton Bassoon - Eric Heidbreder Horns Arranger - Dima Faustov Saxophone - Dima Faustov & Steve Elson Tuba - Dima Faustov & Joe Exley Bagpipes - Ally Crowley-Duncan Hammered Dulcimer - Rob Wakefield Mandolin - Rob Wakefield Whistle - Reggito Dell’ Anima Erhu - Jacko Cheng Harp - Harpsae Accordion - Franz Nicolay Guitar - Scott Helland & Mark Plati Organ - Sean Spada, Henry Hey & Mark Plati Electric Guitar - Ray Toro, Nicky Moroch, Gerry Leonard & 1 more Piano - Sean Spada, Henry Hey & Mike Garson Flute - Donny McCaslin & Steve Elson Bass - Erdal Kızılçay, Mark Plati & Gail Ann Dorsey Graphic Design - DreaD Art, Iren Horrors & Abigail Larson
References
External links Voltaire's official website