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
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Raudt Og Svart
Arcturus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moder jord meld sitt fraafall
Men sverdet har gaat vidare
Til ein ny be ?rar
Me er einsomme menn
Me be ?are fenresulvens muspell
Skoll skal sluka sola
Me er djerve menn
Sola svartner
Der fjellvegg ramlar
Naa gjestar sorgen
Paa livets tre (Yggdrasil)
For byleits bror farar
Kva er det ikkje Kampfar klaren?
[English translation:]
[Red And Black]
The days have darkened
Mother earth announces her death
While the sword has moved on
To a new bearer
We are lonesome men
We bear the wolf-Fenris Muspell
Skoll shall swallow the sun
We are brave men
Sun blackens
Where mountain's walls collapse
Now guest the sorrow
On the life's tree (Yggdrasill)
For Byleit's brother travels
What is it that the Warfather can't do?
The song "Raudt Og Svart" by Arcturus is a powerful and symbolic representation of the end of the world, as prophesied in Nordic mythology. The earth is dying, and despite the darkness that surrounds the people, the sword has moved on to a new bearer who will continue the fight for survival. The lyrics suggest that the people are lonely and may have lost their loved ones to the war. However, they are courageous and stand firm in the face of their fate, holding onto the power of their beliefs in Fenris Muspell. Skoll, represented as a wolf, will soon swallow the sun, and the sorrow will prevail on Yggdrasill, the life tree. The people wonder about the capabilities of the Warfather when even Byleit's brother travels.
The song's lyrics are rich with symbolism surrounding the apocalypse and Norse mythology's beliefs. The title of the song, "Raudt Og Svart," literally translates to 'Red and Black', which could represent blood and death in a battle. Muspell is the fiery region that will engulf the world and cause its destruction. Fenris is a wolf who will free himself from chains and consume everything on his path. Skoll is another wolf that will chase the sun to swallow it and mark the end of the world. Yggdrasill, the life tree, connects the nine worlds of Norse mythology and is symbolic of the world's destruction when the tree is struck. Ultimately, the lyrics tell a tale of doom and end of the world, with people trying to cling onto hope and fight their way out.
Line by Line Meaning
Deira dagar har m?rkna
The days have become darker
Moder jord meld sitt fraafall
Mother earth announces her decline
Men sverdet har gaat vidare
But the sword has moved on
Til ein ny be?rar
To a new bearer
Me er einsomme menn
We are lonely men
Me bearare fenresulvens muspell
We bear the heat of the wolf Fenris
Skoll skal sluka sola
Skoll shall swallow the sun
Me er djerve menn
We are brave men
Sola svartner
The sun is becoming black
Der fjellvegg ramlar
Where the mountain walls collapse
Naa gjestar sorgen
Now, sorrow is a guest
Paa livets tre (Yggdrasil)
On the tree of life (Yggdrasil)
For byleits bror farar
For Byleit's brother is travelling
Kva er det ikkje Kampfar klaren?
What cannot Kampfar achieve?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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