ARCTURUS

Arcturus took a decade off of creating studio albums after Sideshow Symphonies and have returned with this, a pretty solid new release which, though it lacks any fully-fledged epics (with all the song lengths at less than six minutes), still offers a confection of progressive-minded metal with symphonic and black metal touches, with the inclusion of (unless my ears deceive me) an actual string section really allowing them to bring their symphonic aspect to the fore. Sebastian Grouchot guests on violin and adds a nicely melancholic touch to pieces such as Crashland.

Like the preceding Sideshow Symphonies, this does not feel like as striking and groundbreaking a release as any of their first three studio albums (up to and including the classic Sham Mirrors). Still, if you loved those you will probably enjoy this, and even if other musicians have caught up with the far-out territory of Arcturus, Arcturian is still a nicely polished example of this sort of black-about-the-edges progressive metal.

As far as Arcturus album titles go, "Sideshow Symphonies" is rather apt. "Symphonies" are in play in the sense that the music is deep in progressive realms with, as in the classic Sham Mirrors or La Masquerade Infernale, only hints of their earlier black metal style present (and these are buried deeper than ever). And "Sideshow" in the sense that this doesn't feel like a top-flight, main event level Arcturus album.

Perhaps part of the issue is that the album explores a somewhat more mellow side of their sound, which following the bombastic moments of the previous two albums may feel rather restrained and meek. It's still an interesting enough release in its own right, with influences ranging from Pink Floyd (Shipwrecked Frontier Pioneer) to, I swear, just a hint of IQ (just imagine Peter Nicholls singing Hibernation Sickness Complete and you might see what I mean), but I can see why it's an often overlooked album from them.

The debut album by Arcturus finds the band not quite reaching the symphonic intricacies of La Masquerade Infernale, instead yielding something more like a mingling of black metal and melodic prog - in particular, some of Steinar Sverd Johnsen's keyboard passages in the quieter moments put me in mind of the likes of early Marillion and other Genesis- influenced neo-prog projects. This unlikely fusion yields intoxicating fruit here, with the album neatly blending the styles at a time when the idea of sophisticated Norwegian black metal was still not yet entirely given credit. A majestic counterpoint to the more kvlt efforts of their contemporaries.

What a nice surprise!

When I first came in contact with arcturus it was through the extraordinary song "nightmare heaven" of the album "the sham mirrors". back then I didnt really understand this kind of music as I was not aware of the concept of prog or avant-garde.

When I later got the album I never managed to get into it although the above mantioned song is still awesome in my ears.

Today, after delving into the realms of crazy black avant prog somehting colorful and dull with scream and melody, I felt prepared to try this new album of ARTCTURUS.

I did not expect something like this, in my ears its totally different from their sham mirrors, maybe its because its more catchy, maybe its the fact that sometimes there is the right time for the right music...

The vocals here are what makes this one special for me: this unique style of (often very melodic + awesome - but not flawless - use of his head voice) singing fits just perfectly to the overall heavy wall of sound. it is theatrical without being cheesy, soothing and dispelling - the light in the darkness.

As someone who is not interested in lyrics and does not bother to understand them, I can not tell anything about it, but this way I am able to let the music evolve in my mind and heart it's sole instrumental story (the voice being an instrument)...

The music sounds creepy and majestic and the electronic elements make this even more strangely beautiful. This medieval graveyard alien chaos celebration feels sacred and even warm and uplifting at times.

I fail to describe in words what makes this one so special but this experience as a whole is just unique for me. Therefore I will give it a 4.5 out of 5 rounded up for the last minute of the song "demon" which is just pure genius! :D No, to be fair and to consider some objective viewpoint as well it probably should be rounded down.. (might wanna change in the future)

However, ARCTURIAN will definately be among one of my top albums of the year, although it can`t compare to albums like "the congragation" in terms of overall quality, it definately makes me equally happy listening to it :)

Looks like that this (2015) year is a year of long-awaited (and sometimes unexpected) comebacks. Subterranean Masquerade, Anekdoten, FNM... It is a very good tendency. But enough of this. Today's topic is a brand new Arcturus's album ARCTURIAN ' first studio work since 2005.

Almost 10 years ago I tried to listen their second (best) album. At that time it was not my music. I've returned to the band last year and this time listening goes much more smoothly as I already got much more experience in modern avant-garde music. I'm not a hard core fan so I'll try to be impartial.

Is it good or bad? In this case, especially if we are talking about Arcturus, which is one of the most important bands for the avant-metal music of recent years, there is no unequivocal answer. You can't judge this band by any rules because there are no rules at all. Or, to be more correct, the band is dictating their own rules to us. Arcturus was at the roots of the genre and it's status is allowing them to do it that way.

Much more 'black' then previous and at the same time less weird and eccentric as for me. I really still can't understand what they are trying to achieve with this album. As usual there is a mix of multiple styles ' from mentioned above black metal to electronic and even psychedelic music. There are not so many bands which are able to mix all these genres in a one album with such an ease. This year Arcturus is bringing us not only the mix of different genres but also the mix of their musical journey through endless, frightening and cold space, the mix of the band's musical legacy. Rewrited and rethought. Possibly 'rethought history' are the key words for understanding the key idea. Wу can't be sure. This work is not essential and I'm not a big fun of the band (despite this fact I'm tipping my hat to these guys) but it's a strong 4/5 stars and one of the 'must-haves' of the year. With this album guys did not hit the highs of La Masquerade Infernale (my favorite band's album so far) but it's not a reason to ignore this work. Things that I don't like: it's too 'black' (including sometimes hysterical vocal exercises, if choose between Votrex and mr. Rygg I prefer the latter); strange sound (I guess it was recorded in the cave if not in someone's basement ' sounds like a TNBM band from late- nineties) but it's may be ok if initially the focus was set on the 'black metal' side of the band; lack of cosmic insanity that we saw in theirs previous works.

Thing that was really good for me ' most songs beautiful composition and interesting structure; despite some lack of weirdness (like on since then unattainable Masquerade) the beauty of the boundless space is still here to delight. Immense variety of the music and its wide scope. Impressive vocal (in general). Almost tons of sometimes discrepant ideas which was melted together in a one ~48 min album.

Thing about which I'm not sure (good or bad) ' this is more accessible album in contrast with tricky Masquerade Infernale and Mirrors. And maybe it's a good point to join band's space journey for those who are still not familiar with it. Favorite tracks ' Bane (remember The Chaos Path?), Game Over, The Journey. P.S. Pls sorry for my English.

Arcturus plays a original kind of symphonic metal that concentrate more in setting some nice atmosphere than to play complex metal with many solos. The vocals are not too aggressive, nothing in the death metal genre, but match perfectly the music to please anyone who hates harsh vocals. The show in Norway has some theatrical aspect with ancient costumes, some characters making their appearance on stage in one song. The music could go well as the soundtrack of a horror movie with his dark Gothic atmosphere and songs that don't show the bright side of life.

Nice editing for the video, and one audio option available, a good 5.1 surround sound. For those who know the band, this is a nice addition, and a great introduction for those who are not familiar with the band.

Excellent debute album from this already legendary band named Arcturus. Aspera hyems symphonia issued in 1996 is to me at least if not for many one of the most inventive symphonic black metal album ever with clearly many progressive touches in his 42 min lengh. Formed by well known names in this field , but specially Carl August Tidemann from Winds fame, who is a fenomenal guitarsit, his mark on this album is top notch. Quite complex and yet in same time melodic black metal album, this has nothing to do with the raw black of Immortal or early stuff, Aspera hyems is full of intelligent passgaes where the melodic side of black metal almost progressive metal in places because of the guitar and sound overall is melted with the voice who is raw and in black metal type because the instrumenets even are well performed by each member in some parts the sound is little precare and amatorish. Anyway I love this album, I have it since it was released more then 15 years ago, what a treat for my ears was then as now, still very fresh in ideas and one hell of a great ride for me. Like a lot the guitar who is very avangarde and goes progressive metal most of the time nice solos by Tidemann aswell, the use of keyboards is great and gives a perfect symphonic atmosphere. For me easy 4 stars a fine album all the way. No weak tracks for sure, all are winners.

I have deliberately hurt and I have deliberately tried to understand why. I casually tried to figure out what was the Black Metal and Death Metal. There are things that I like very much and things that I hate. "My Angel" is one of the things that like me. A strange EP, delivered by a band that some of my friends idolized/ idolize! For various reasons I have not pursued the discovery of a world that does not attract me.

The lineup for this EP consisted of Marius Vold (vocals, Bass), Steiner Sverd Johnsen (Keyboards, Guitars) and Hellhammer (drums). That is, for the uninitiated, we are at a non-return (and at the highest level) of the Scandinavian Black Metal/ Death Metal. But to say that if you are not followers of this scene, what is proposed here is a pure massacre (it is defined) is the minimum. Describe the music is superfluous.

Imagine an old horror film from the 1930's/1940's and that creepy gothic pump organ that looms in the background. Put that seventy years in the future, LA MASQUERADE INFERNALE might just be that type of music with thick metal guitars. A darker, creepier Black Sabbath meets keys equally as bombastic as those of Par Lindh Project, and then put a singer over the top who sounds like he has problems.

Most of the album is pretty overdone in the dramatics, the bombast, the heaviness, yet MASQUERADE is the type of album where I can bypass all of that and take it as a fun album to listen to. This isn't the most instantly accessible album, but how tight the ideas are stitched and how well the album flows as a whole keeps my curiosity level on notice. ''Master of Disguise'' and ''The Chaos Path'' in particular set the tone of the whole album.

Yes this is twisted and demented, but it's a treat. If you feel that this is way too over-the-top, try to sit back and not take MASQUERADE seriously. The metal riffs themselves are good enough to stand on their own merit to the point where everything else is icing even if everything else sounds silly.

Something Wicked...

As a fan of avant-garde metal, it was probably inevitable that I'd find my way to Arcturus' MASQUERADE INFERNALE. This album has a bit of a legendary place in the metal mythology, but sadly the music itself really doesn't match the reputation. On paper, this should be great with Garm's vocals and a Bunglesque carnival fetish added to a black metal ethic. Sounds like a fun ride. But like too many vampire stories, the affectations overcome the story and the camp becomes cartoonish. It seems like the band is trying too hard to be wierd and not concentrating enough on the fundamentals of the songs.

All the trappings are here, with Garm attempting Boris Karloff in the opera but instead singing out of tune much of the time. The organs are heavily reverbed and spooky, and various effects drench virtually every instrument. The guest vocals on the opening track and "The Chaos Path" are the best on the album. But the actual riffs are uninspired, the melodies monotonous, and songwriting virtually nonexistent. In fact, I don't think there's a single line I could sing back to you off this album and only a few instrumental parts that stick with me.

Despite all of the vocals being sung cleanly, I really don't have any idea what these guys are singing about. Supposedly it's sorta kinda Satanic (the idea of which turns me off) but there's nothing that feels truly dangerous to me. Contrast this to Sleepytime Gorilla Museum's "Of Natural History" which I think has some very similar intentions at its core, but is more intelligent, more musically daring, enjoys better songwriting, and at places really scares the crap out of me.

I actually like Ulver quite a bit in all of its different sounds. Garm's ear is never perfect, but it's never as bad as it is here. I've tried so many times to get into this. But it just isn't that good.