Mortem Slow Death 1989
Technically this is not an Arcuturus release and Mortem continued on after Arcuturus formed. But, the three original members of Mortem created Arcturus and so this demo is relevant in that it set the bases for what was to be one of the greatest, most underrated and short lived Norwegian bands around. The Slow Death demo is a standard Norwegian black metal affair but has the advantage of Hellhammer behind the kit. To me is sounds a lot like Morbid which I recommend you check out. Strong Venom influences and overall it's atonal and just churns along in the treble range. Most of the songs sound the same although Nightmare and Slow Death start off nice but they finish, again, the same. The production is what you would expect from Norway in the 90's; basement recording. I personally like that sound but it does get old when you hear it over and over again from countless crony wannabes that just sound like mockery. This however is the real deal and would be worth listening to if you care for this DIY, lo-fi sound. Kvlt
My Angel EP 1991
Arcturus debuted their avant garde and atmospheric sound with this two song EP. I've only heard the My Angel track off this EP and the Morax track on a promo copy. The production was really kicked up a notch and the tracks are very synth heavy. The guitars are mainly in the background and setting the mood with eerie sounds and noises. Some black metal enthusiasts hate this style but I find it refreshing and beautiful. And I mean come on, a black metal band releasing a love song? You can't beat this! Essential and Kvlt!
Constellation 1994
With Constellation they have really developed their sound. It's a lot faster and more black metal with heavier guitar presence but still symphonic. As the title suggests they take on a more spacey theme with lyrics and sound structures. The new vocalist Kristoffer Rygg a.k.a. Garm brings a new and beautiful style with quality black metal stylings and a clean vocal approach which you have to hear to appreciate to its fullest. This is beautiful and thought provoking music indeed! I also hear a heavy presence of gypsy, oompah or polka that most would mistake for a circus type of sound but is actually a very traditional European musical structure. Make no mistake though this is again essential and Kvlt!
Aspera Hiems Symfonia 1996
On this album we hear a lot more progressive tendencies and some even heavier guitar parts than before. On the flip side there are also more mellow and moody parts than the previous album. Aspera Hiems Symfonia again features Garm that you may know from the progressive black metal band Ulver. Yet another beautiful album that could serve as both contemplative art and atmospheric back ground music. Excellent, essential and yet again, Kvlt!
La Masquerade Infernale 1997
FIRST RESPONSE! Well sort of. I'd heard a few songs from this album but had never listened to it in it's entirety until this review. This one starts off trippy and crazy with dive bombs and dips from the guitar, soaring vocals popping out and spacey keyboard trips. I like how the second songs kicks in with some orchestral keys and a string quartet. Then smoothly and before you realize it there comes the electronic beats and space samples. This is beautiful! Their song The Chaos Path I had heard before and it seems to be one of the stand out songs on here. It features I.C.S. Vortex and incorporates some more electronic break beat segments. Some of that original Oompah is back, and it's amazing how they fit all of these different style together so seamlessly. Overall this album is worth your time and requires an in depth and serious listen. Essential and Kvlt.
Disguised Masters - And The Deception Circus 1999
FIRST RESPONSE! I've never heard this album until just now and I have to say this is some of their most experimental work. I knew they delved into some strange ponds for inspiration and weren't afraid to incorporate nontraditional elements into their works of art. (I say art because these are not just songs they are masterpieces.) Ah wait...as I'm listening I realize I have heard this remix before; Alone (Intellecto & Valle Darktrip). I've always liked this song and I'm not even a really big electronica fan. But this is so dark and so unique I could listen to an entire album of this sort of thing. Mostly this album is made up of remixes with the exception of the two first songs and even includes some rap segments! I usually don't like remixes but this sort of thing really suits Arcturus. At the risk of the Internet haters telling me I'm insane I will have to call this cult. This is for die hard fans and metal heads that can think outside of the box and have some sort of appreciation for art. Kvlt
The Sham Mirrors 2002
Now here we go! This is the Arcturus we all love and this is my favorite album from them. Again Garm is showcasing his absolutely amazing vocals under the moniker Trikster G. Rex. His vocals are so haunting and emotive and they speak to my soul personally. Some of the remix albums elements have snuck in on this one and it fits perfectly! Still all the old stuff we love from Arcturus but re-adapted and improved upon. This album is highly recommended! More of the spacey, progressive and avant garde atmospheres here. Completely essential. Classic, Kvlt
You need go no further than to listen to this song to understand this albums importance to the black metal genre and metal in general.
Sideshow Symphonies 2005
Another kind of FIRST RESPONSE. As before I had heard some songs off this one...I really don't understand why this album is not affecting me in the same way the others do. It could be that Simen Hestnæs a.k.a. I.C.S. Vortex is singing full time on this album and I hear his voice everywhere when I really think he should just stick to Borknagar. Don't get me wrong, everything that comes out of his mouth is gold I just think his best work is with Borknagar. That being said I felt that the best songs on this album are the ones I'd previously heard; Evacuation Code Deciphered and Reflections. All the normal bits and pieces are here musically and maybe that's the problem. Arcturus seemed to have churned out the normal affair with out stopping to challenge themselves. Maybe the real problem is that only one original member is present on this album and it's just not even close to the Arcturus we all know and love. Neither essential or cult.
Take a listen to my favorite track of Sideshow Symphonies and decide for yourself.
Shipwrecked In Oslo 2006
I have not been able to get my eyes and ears on this entire DVD yet but here is a clip you can check out. There are more clips on YouTube that I will definitely be catching up on when I have time. I can say that that I.C.S. does a great job at singing Garms songs and I like what I'm hearing here. Listen for yourself! Kvlt
Arcturus reunited in 2011 to tour and just maybe we will see a new album sometime in the future. It looks like for now Hellhammer and most of the original crew are on board but I'd really love to see the return of Garm. Only time will tell what these blackened space rockers will bring forth.
Ready to listen for yourself? Follow this link to the Left Hand Path YouTube page to listen to the entire discography!
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