ASPERA HIEMS SYMFONIA / CONSTELLATION / MY ANGEL

...and 2 stars - it's my entire mark to all what they've ever done.Experimental-like stuff, not much angry to be black-metal and not that good to be Prog Metal or related - IMHO. The guy screams, the drums beat, the guitars bite etc, but there's nothing to be astonished with. Derivative and even primitive. If you want Extreme Prog, try something more talented. If you want Black Metal, try ANYTHING other but not them. Due to PA's ploicy I ain't giving the names of recommended bands...believe me,there are DOZENS of more worthy ones.

a collection of early e.p.s along with the remastering of A.H.S., which has overdubs of extended solos, additional vocals and additions in general. I listen to this version just as much if not more than the originals.

Constellation is great early material wherein they started to show off their Avant Garde side.....(same with A.H.S., even for a supposed "black metal" band, they really came up with an exceptionally unique take on that genre, and so early in the game to boot.)

My Angel consists of the second e.p. (I believe) which is a slower more ambient and tortured affair. Very dark. good stuff all around.....one of the best "art metal" bands to ever exist....

Whatsoever other Prog fans may write or say, ARCTURUS is an excellent band in Avantgarde Metal genre or whatsoever you may call it, at least IMHO and according to my taste. And I'm convinced that most of the judgements and ratings done here and on similar sites are due to personal taste. So what...? - Will any negative review change my personal taste and impression? - I don't think so! Just for the matter of balance and fairness I think this edition of their very first studio album deserves a higher rating than below 3. Any rating less than 4 stars for this work is just unacceptable! It's a brilliant work and worth it!

"Aspera Heims Symfonia/Constellation/My Angel" is a compilation album by Norwegian symphonic black metal act Arcturus. It was released through Candlelight Records in June 2002 and features of a re-mastered version of Arcturus debut album "Aspera Heims Symfonia (1996)", the "Constellation (1994)" EP, the "My Angel (1992)" EP/single, and two previously unreleased tracks in "The Deep Is the Skies" and "Cosmojam".

The sound quality has greatly improved on the remastered version of "Aspera Heims Symfonia (1996)" so if you´re a fan of that album this 2 CD compilation album might be worth investing in. In addition to the new remastered version of "Aspera Heims Symfonia (1996)" it´s also a treat that the tracks from the two pretty rare EPs "Constellation (1994)" and "My Angel (1992)" are included here. The first was limited to only 500 copies upon original release and I´m sure the latter was pressed in about a similar number of copies. The two unreleased tracks, which are included on the compilation are in the same style as the tracks on the "Aspera Heims Symfonia (1996)" album. While "The Deep Is the Skies" is a "regular" sounding black metal track "Cosmojam" is a short atmospheric keyboard driven track.

The idea to release "Aspera Heims Symfonia/Constellation/My Angel" is overall good initiative as it gives the fans an opportunity to listen to the early and quite rare recordings by Arcturus and a remastered and better sounding version of "Aspera Heims Symfonia (1996)". The original really needed a remaster. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.