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Arcturus - Arcturian CD (album) cover

ARCTURIAN

Arcturus

Tech/Extreme Prog Metal


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4 stars 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.

Report this review (#1417991)
Posted Thursday, May 21, 2015 | Review Permalink
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 :)

Report this review (#1445403)
Posted Monday, July 27, 2015 | Review Permalink
Warthur
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars 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.

Report this review (#1853067)
Posted Tuesday, January 2, 2018 | Review Permalink

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