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Arcturus - Arcturian CD (album) cover

ARCTURIAN

Arcturus

 

Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

3.84 | 79 ratings

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Mind_Drive
4 stars 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 :)

Mind_Drive | 4/5 |

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