The group formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1981, released seven studio albums and then broke up in 1998. In 2005 the band reunited for a Europe and North American tour. Dead Can Dance’s sound has been described as “drawing on neo-classical, ancient traditions and weaving together influences from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North Africa, the Mediterranean and beyond.” 

In addition to the 2012 tour, Dead Can Dance is also working on a new studio album. The band’s most recent release is 1996’s Spiritchaser.

“Myself and Lisa [Gerrard] are genuinely excited to be working together again in the studio,” Brendan Perry said. “Writing began for the new album in the autumn of 2011 and the final recording sessions will take place at Quivvy Studios in Ireland in the early part of this year. It will be a spring album to coincide with both natures reawakening and the group’s subsequent rebirth.

“Our tour plans are also well under way and we have assembled a fine group of performers for the live concerts who have kindly put their own careers on hold in order to perform the music from our new album as well as some arrangements from the archives.”

The North American tour begins Aug. 9 in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Orpheum.

Shows are booked in Berkeley, Calif. (Aug. 12); Salt Lake City (Aug. 17); Denver (Aug. 19); Chicago (Aug. 21); Toronto (Aug. 23); Montreal (Aug. 24); Philadelphia (Aug. 26); Vienna, Va. (Aug. 27); New York City (Aug. 29-30) and Atlanta (Sept. 5). Last stop of the tour is Sept. 7 in Austin, Texas, at Austin City Limits Live At Moody Theater.

European dates are scheduled Sept. 19 through Oct. 28.

Tickets go on sale beginning March 24.

For more information visit DeadCanDance.com.