Arcturus
Arcturus is an avant-garde metal band from Oslo, Norway featuring many prom… Read Full Bio ↴Arcturus is an avant-garde metal band from Oslo, Norway featuring many prominent members of the Norwegian black metal scene from bands such as Ulver, Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem, Borknagar, The Kovenant, Emperor, and Winds. Arcturus have experimented throughout their career, extracting influences and incorporating elements from all over the musical spectrum including black metal and classical music, but the core of their sound has always been metal.
Arcturus was originally formed in 1987 as a death metal act, named Mortem. They released a demo tape in 1989, titled "Slow Death". The line-up consisted of Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) on drums, Sverd (Steinar Sverd Johnsen) on keyboards, and Marius Vold on bass/vocals.
In 1990, they changed their name to Arcturus, which is the name of a star, meaning Bear Guardian. "My Angel", their debut EP, was released on 8 July 1991.
In 1993 the original line-up was changed when bassist/vocalist Marius Vold was taken out of the band. Arcturus soon became labeled a black metal supergroup, consisting of Garm (Kristoffer Rygg of Ulver) on vocals, Carl August Tidemann on guitar, Skoll (Hugh Stephen James Mingay) on bass, and the two other original members, Hellhammer on drums, and Steinar Sverd Johnsen as main composer/keyboards player.
In 1995, Arcturus released "Aspera Hiems Symfonia". Acclaimed to be one of the most innovative black metal album ever, it is a mix of early 1990s Norwegian black metal, classical melodies and a refined touch of nordic coldness. The lyrics concentrate on the themes of winter and the darkness of night.
In 1997 Arcturus released the much acclaimed "La Masquerade Infernale" album. The theatrical, almost carnivalesque, style built around Sverd's keyboards was introduced by the large vocals range of Garm, becoming their trademark.
After a remix album "Disguised Masters", Arcturus offered their third major effort with "The Sham Mirrors", whose keyboards' dynamic melodies also received good reviews.
In 2004, after three full-length albums, Kristoffer Rygg left the band. He was initially replaced by Øyvind Hægeland from the band Spiral Architect. Øyvind performed live with the band, but did not appear on any recordings. In 2005 the band announced that Øyvind had moved too far away for his continued involvement to be practical and they had parted ways. In 2005 Simen Hestnæs (aka ICS Vortex of Dimmu Borgir), who had previously performed guest vocals on three Arcturus tracks ("Master of Disguise", "The Chaos Path", and "Painting My Horror") on "La Masquerade Infernale", became the new vocalist of the band.
With "Sideshow Symphonies", released in 2005, Arcturus moved towards more progressive tones and a strong lunar sound, leant on a space trip concept narrated by Simen's ethereal voice. A DVD, "Shipwrecked in Oslo" was released in June 2006.
The band split up after the successful tour of Australia in March 2007.
In early September of 2009, after being ejected from Dimmu Borgir, Simen released a statement on his blog with the following quote: "There is another meeting also planned with Arcturus members to discuss about the future of the band and a possible reunite.".
In 2011 ICS Vortex confirmed an Arcturus reunion show at ProgPower USA 2011 Festival. In addition, Vortex also said "Beloved freaks! ProgPower USA 2011 will host the first Arcturus concert in 5 years. This is our first performance in the United States, and since we're all retarded, probably the last.". The show was later cancelled due to "hibernation sickness" and "outdated parts".
Arcturus was supposed to play its first reunion show at Avant-Garde Night vol. 2 in Poland, but it was cancelled and they rescheduled show to January. They played a show September 9th, 2011 at the KICK Nattklubb & Scene in Kristiansand, Norway. When asked about it by a fan on his facebook, Vortex said "yes I can confirm once again that Arcturus is on" In an interview published by Lords of Metal webzine, ICS Vortex said Arcturus were working on a new album. The band's fifth album, Arcturian, was released in 2015.
Official Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/arcturusnorway
Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/arcturusnorway
Arcturus was originally formed in 1987 as a death metal act, named Mortem. They released a demo tape in 1989, titled "Slow Death". The line-up consisted of Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) on drums, Sverd (Steinar Sverd Johnsen) on keyboards, and Marius Vold on bass/vocals.
In 1990, they changed their name to Arcturus, which is the name of a star, meaning Bear Guardian. "My Angel", their debut EP, was released on 8 July 1991.
In 1993 the original line-up was changed when bassist/vocalist Marius Vold was taken out of the band. Arcturus soon became labeled a black metal supergroup, consisting of Garm (Kristoffer Rygg of Ulver) on vocals, Carl August Tidemann on guitar, Skoll (Hugh Stephen James Mingay) on bass, and the two other original members, Hellhammer on drums, and Steinar Sverd Johnsen as main composer/keyboards player.
In 1995, Arcturus released "Aspera Hiems Symfonia". Acclaimed to be one of the most innovative black metal album ever, it is a mix of early 1990s Norwegian black metal, classical melodies and a refined touch of nordic coldness. The lyrics concentrate on the themes of winter and the darkness of night.
In 1997 Arcturus released the much acclaimed "La Masquerade Infernale" album. The theatrical, almost carnivalesque, style built around Sverd's keyboards was introduced by the large vocals range of Garm, becoming their trademark.
After a remix album "Disguised Masters", Arcturus offered their third major effort with "The Sham Mirrors", whose keyboards' dynamic melodies also received good reviews.
In 2004, after three full-length albums, Kristoffer Rygg left the band. He was initially replaced by Øyvind Hægeland from the band Spiral Architect. Øyvind performed live with the band, but did not appear on any recordings. In 2005 the band announced that Øyvind had moved too far away for his continued involvement to be practical and they had parted ways. In 2005 Simen Hestnæs (aka ICS Vortex of Dimmu Borgir), who had previously performed guest vocals on three Arcturus tracks ("Master of Disguise", "The Chaos Path", and "Painting My Horror") on "La Masquerade Infernale", became the new vocalist of the band.
With "Sideshow Symphonies", released in 2005, Arcturus moved towards more progressive tones and a strong lunar sound, leant on a space trip concept narrated by Simen's ethereal voice. A DVD, "Shipwrecked in Oslo" was released in June 2006.
The band split up after the successful tour of Australia in March 2007.
In early September of 2009, after being ejected from Dimmu Borgir, Simen released a statement on his blog with the following quote: "There is another meeting also planned with Arcturus members to discuss about the future of the band and a possible reunite.".
In 2011 ICS Vortex confirmed an Arcturus reunion show at ProgPower USA 2011 Festival. In addition, Vortex also said "Beloved freaks! ProgPower USA 2011 will host the first Arcturus concert in 5 years. This is our first performance in the United States, and since we're all retarded, probably the last.". The show was later cancelled due to "hibernation sickness" and "outdated parts".
Arcturus was supposed to play its first reunion show at Avant-Garde Night vol. 2 in Poland, but it was cancelled and they rescheduled show to January. They played a show September 9th, 2011 at the KICK Nattklubb & Scene in Kristiansand, Norway. When asked about it by a fan on his facebook, Vortex said "yes I can confirm once again that Arcturus is on" In an interview published by Lords of Metal webzine, ICS Vortex said Arcturus were working on a new album. The band's fifth album, Arcturian, was released in 2015.
Official Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/arcturusnorway
Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/arcturusnorway
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Arcturus Lyrics
02. Ad Astra I have everywhere sought and nowhere found So I lift the b…
03. Du Nordavind Et blekt avdagsleite Famler hen, til nattvart himmel Vandr…
05 The Throne Of Tragedy Based on the poem "Tragediens Trone" by John Henrik Svaren, …
06. Du Nordavind Et blekt avdagsleite Famler hen, til nattvart himmel Vandrin…
06. The Throne of Tragedy Based on the poem "Tragediens Trone" by John Henrik Svaren, …
07. Fall of Man Now there is my fairytale(s) of dying flowers of the earth …
07. Painting my Horror It was a dark night, I couldn't see; And senses were…
08. Of Nails and Sinners "I know that without me God cannot live a moment; If…
4 Collapse Generation Time is on trial Generation and collapse inside the space o…
Ad Absurdum This dead orchestra play on instruments strung with the fibr…
Ad Astra I have everywhere sought and nowhere found So I lift the ble…
Alone From childhood's hour I have not been As others were -…
Alone (Intellecto / Valle... [Poem by Edgar Allan Poe] From childhood's hour I have no…
Angst Ut av nok en sving Mitt system er av Jek skjønner ingen…
Bane Rødt sløret svart Styrt Vær på vakt Dypet skjuler Tåket ukje…
Chaos Path Await the coming storm. Behold the sign in the sun. Chaos…
Collapse Generation Time is on trial Generation and collapse inside the space o…
Crashland A flooding slowly calms the restlessness That′s what it's li…
Deamon Painter Walking among shadows Shady characters of faded cast Actin…
Deception Genesis Unfortunate the hoax that you are not immune For if beauty w…
Demon Loaded Exploded Drone Far gone A groke obscure Forevermore …
Demon Painter Walking among shadows Shady characters of faded cast Actin…
Du Nordavind Et blekt avdagsleite Famler hen, til nattvart himmel Vandrin…
Evacuation Code Deciphered Change channel I am bored again Take five and restart the…
Fall of Man Now there is my fairytale(s) of dying flowers of the ea…
For to End Yet Again Full of frequency An unintelligible roar Of everything ever …
Hibernation Sickness Complete Probing a voiceless void Pearching for a closure Poisoned …
Hufsa Med gufs og hyl jeg visner marken Ett uggent gys…
Icebound Streams And Vaporous Frozen streams and vapours gray, Cold and waste the landscap…
Icebound Streams and Vapourous Grey Frozen streams and vapours gray, Cold and waste the landsca…
Kinetic Welcome This transmission From a fallen star Light has depa…
La Masquerade Infer [based on the poem "Tragediens Trone" by John Henrik Svaren]…
Master of Disguise ("No! this face is only a mask a wicked ornament, Illuminate…
Moonshine Delirium Third night in flight My body says no but my…
My Angel I need you I love you I need you I love you You're my…
Naar Kulda Tar Naar vinteren tar bitter fart Og steiner sprekker I frostkla…
Naar Kulda Tar... Naar vinteren tar bitter fart Og steiner sprekker I frostkl…
Nightmare Heaven The subjects of sleep Their faces once awake On sodomy and d…
Nocturnal Vision Revisited The echoes of a dream I dreamt In a distant…
Of Nails and Sinners "I know that without me God cannot live a moment; If…
Of_Nails_And_Sinners "I know that without me God cannot live a moment; If…
Painting My Horror It was a dark night, I couldn't see; And senses were…
Pale Out of the vacuum it came Northern aggression grew into a…
Radical Cut Spit white speech The voice is mine The skin of the slit Cut…
Radical Cut. Spit white speech The voice is mine The skin of the slit …
Raudt Og Svart Deira dagar har m?rkna Moder jord meld sitt fraafall Men sve…
Roudt Og Svart Deira dagar har m?rkna Moder jord meld sitt fraafall Men s…
Shipwrecked Frontier Pioneer Mechanical shutdown due to reactor core meltdown And outdat…
Star We Organic images Dissolving earth Our future children Sure…
Starcrossed We Organic images Dissolving earth Our future children …
The Arcturian Sign I want out of this plane Riding hard For one too many…
The Bodkin & The Quietus These constellations Gleaming at us from afar They give rise…
The bodkin and the quietus These constellations gleaming at us from afar They give ri…
The Chaos Path Await the coming storm. Behold the sign in the sun. Chaos…
The Deep is the Skies When you fall out of this world into the ocean not…
The Throne Of Tragedy Based on the poem "Tragediens Trone" by John Henrik Svaren, …
To Those Who Dwellest in the Night Here is so desolate; Times, they are dark Words cease to end…
Whence & Whither Goest the Wind The wind bloweth Where it listeth, and thou hearest the sou…
White Noise Monster Crowded mind working overtime in a shrinking stinking home a…
Wintry Grey Frozen streams and vapors gray, Cold and waste the landscape…