DANSE MACABRE

Danse Macabre is the 16th studio album by the British band Duran Duran. Like their 1995 album Thank You, it is chiefly comprised of covers and new versions of Duran Duran classics. It’s also a concept album, focusing on Halloween-themed songs such as The Rolling Stones' “Paint It, Black” and Talking Heads' “Psycho Killer.”

This record sees the original line-up back together for many of the tracks as Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor, Roger Taylor, John Taylor, and Simon Le Bon reunite for the first time since 2004’s Astronaut! It also features the return of guitarist Warren Cuccurullo who guests on a few songs (including the title track), making this the first Duran Duran album since 1986’s Notorious to feature the guitar playing of both Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo.

Inspired by the band’s one-off, 2022 Halloween show at the Encore Theater in Las Vegas, Danse Macabre is a spooky, ghoul-inspired 13-song collection which features three brand new songs, covers of classic tracks from artists such as Talking Heads, The Rolling Stones and Siouxsie and the Banshees and new versions of tracks from Duran Duran’s back catalogue, including their debut album track “Night Boat,” Union of the Snake B-side “Secret Oktober” (now “Secret Oktober 31st”), a re-spelt “Love Voudou” from The Wedding Album, and Rio’s “Lonely in Your Nightmare”, which is mashed up with with a cover of Rick James' “Super Freak” to make a song called “Super Lonely Freak.” In total, nine of the album’s 13 tracks were performed for last year’s Halloween show.

Other guests on the album include longtime friend and collaborator Nile Rodgers along with Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin. The artwork features images adapted from a collection of authentic vintage séance photos that band member Nick Rhodes sourced at auction.