This is the fourth (official) full length, and the follow-up of the very well received
The Sham Mirrors. Ever Since 2002 it grew quiet in the Arcturus camp. Different members al had different responsibilities, and so began the 3 year wait for a new Arcturus release. But now, during the transition from summer to gloomy autumn, Arcturus releases Sideshow Symphonies. Set for release on September 19th in Europe, and 22th in the USA, but I already got an original copy. Of course my expectations were very high, but to be honest, what I heard is beyond description. I was blown out of the water. in these 3 years Arctuturs hasn?t sat still and this can be heard. The album sounds very fresh and dull of new ideas, and not to forget there is a new vocalist. Due to work duties, long time vocalist ?Garm? Of Ulver and ex-Borknagar left he band. His full time replacement is no one less than ?the singing bassist from Dimmu Borgir: Simen Hestnaes/ICS Vortex. Simen, not completely unknown to Arcturus, as he has done guest performances on an earlier Arcturus record. Simen has the same almost operatic vocal capacities as Garm, and fits in wonderful. Besides clean vocals Simen does a few harsh vocals too on this album, but they are rare. The concept of this album which is expressed very well is very spacey. The packaging, the song titles, the lyrics, and the awesome use of Sverd?s synthesizers make this clear. The Neoclassical guitaring which even sounds a bit industrial sometimes is great. And not to mention the smooth bass lines that are very high in the mix.This is a wonderful effort of Arcturus and is certainly on par with La Masquearde Infernale and The Sham Mirrors. The overall spacey feel of this album reminds me of the first track of the Sham Mirrors called, Kinetic. The more classical, medieval feel of Le Masquarade Infernale can't be recognized in this cd. Although sometimes the string compositions and the harpsichord make you reconsider your opinion. Now that we are talking about the atmospheric compositions, let me grab this fact to tell you about another atmospheric addition: Female vocals :eek:, as you may or may not know, I dislike female vocals, or actually, I just can't stand them in my metal. But here, they fit in very nice. The vocals are quite low (for female vocals) and are mainly used in vocal harmonies with Simen.
For so far the cd, now some line-up and discography news.
Arcturus in 2005 is:
Knut Magne Valle - Guitars
Hugh Stephen James Mingay (Skoll) - Bass
Steinar Sverd Johnsen - Keyboards
Simen Hestnaes/ICS Vortex" - vocals, lyrics
Tore Moren - Guitars
Jan Axel Von Blomberg - Drums
Discography:
Promo 90 Demo, 1990
My Angel EP, 1991
Constellation EP, 1993
Aspera Hiems Symfonia Full-length, 1996
La Masquerade Infernale Full-length, 1997
Disguised Masters Best of/Compilation, 1999
True Kings of Norway Split, 2000
Aspera Hiems Symfonia/Constellation/My Angel Best of/Compilation, 2002
The Sham Mirrors Full-length, 2002
Sideshow Symphonies Full-length, 2005
To conclude this Write-up: this is an awesome cd, and they did it again. Give this a good listen, certainly if you?re into Avant-Garde stuff.
This will be a good contender for best release of 2005, and for me it is.
Certainly recommended for fans of:
Ulver
Symphony X
Neo Classical metal
final rating: 4,5/5
This Message Edited On 09.18.05
