ARCTURIAN

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.