Arkona – Yav
Being active since the year 202, Arkona has managed to achieve success with their passionate, but fast and catchy Pagan Folk Metal. Of course Masha’s vocals and the talented musicians were the major part of their fame, but Masha’s looks didn’t harm them either, hehe. The band has already released seven full-length albums, a live one, compilations and DVDs. They are indeed a very prolific group. And one curiosity about the name’s band, “Arkona was the last pagan Slavic city-castle destroyed in 1168 by the crusade lead by Bishop Absalon and King Valdemar the Great of Denmark. It was located on Rugia island in the Baltic Sea (now in Germany)”. Yes, I got that on metal-archives.
Although the last albums were more focus on the folk part of the music, Yav brings back the Black Metal influences that has been feature in the earlier works of Arkona, but obviously maintaining the Slavic atmosphere that they are known for. As you can expect, there are amazing epic arrangements, Masha’s powerful vocals as well as clean ones, very diverse compositions, filled with different and unusual instruments, turning the music very dynamic. This is not an album for those that prefer the Pagan releases that are all cheerful and to party for. Unfortunately this has become very common when it comes to the Folk Metal style. This is a more serious album, but, as I’ve mentioned before, it still has that Slavic feeling that we all love.
The experience of listening to Yav becomes even richer as the production of this album is impeccable. It is indeed very enjoyable to listen to an album when you are being able to hear all the instruments and vocals. This may sound obvious, but when it comes to this musical style, a good production is more than needed.
Even though the band has achieved fame and success on the metal scene, as I’ve said once, it doesn’t turn them into millionaires, that they don’t need to work anymore or anything like that. So, I ask you to, please, attend the gigs or buy the album, a t-shirt, anything, this will always help the band.
I wish you all a pleasant day.
Grade: 9,5/10
Band: Arkona
Album: Yav (2014)
Label: Napalm Records
Tracklist:
1. Зарождение
2. На страже новых лет
3. Сербиа
4. Зов пустых деревень
5. Город снов
6. Ведьма
7. Чадо индиго
8. Явь
9. В обьятьях крамолы
Arkona is:
Masha “Scream” Arkhipova – Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion, Tambourine, Komuz, Guitars (acoustic), Shaker, Shaman drums
Ruslan “Kniaz” – Bass
Sergey “Lazar” Atrashkevich – Guitars, Balalaika, Komuz, Yakut, Jew’s harp, Vocals (backing)
Vladimir “Wolf” Reshetnikov – Flutes, Bagpipes, Gaita, Gallega, Blockflute, Vocals (backing)
Andrey Ischenko – Drums
Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/arkonarussia
Official Homepage: http://arkona-russia.com/
All photos belong to their rightful owners.
July 8, 2014