Sideshow Symphonies
Occupation
- Simen Hestnæs, song
- Knut Valle, guitar
- Goals Moren, guitar
- Hugh Mingay, bass
- Steinar Sverd, Keyboard
- Blomberg, drums
Sideshow Symphonies is the fourth regular studio album by the Norwegian metal band Arcturus. It appeared in 2005 Season of Mist.
Creation and publication
The singer Kristoffer Rygg had left after The Sham Mirrors Arcturus and was replaced in 2003 and 2004 for the first live performances of the band since 1995 by Øyvind Hægeland of Spiral Architect. Since this eventually had to fulfill other professional commitments, Simen Hestnæs joined as the new vocalist for the band. He had already worked on La Masquerade Infernal as a guest musician. In addition, the bassist Hugh Mingay returned, and goals Moren joined them as second guitarist.
In December 2004, the band began working on a new studio album. The recordings took place from February to June 2005 Knut Valles Mølla Studios instead. Silje Wergeland (from 2009 at The Gathering) participated in two songs with the singer. Børge Finstad mixed the album in the studio from Toproom, Morten Lund and gates Moren it -mastered at Masterhuset. Sideshow Symphonies was released in September 2005 on CD and LP. It was followed by a European tour, in which the live DVD was recorded Shipwrecked in Oslo.
Title list
Steinar Sverd is the main composer of all pieces, the lyrics were written by Simen Hestnæs. For the first time since the debut album released Arcturus with " Hufsa " another step in the Norwegian language.
Style
Sideshow Symphonies shows back bonds from the Progressive Metal, but is more subtle and quieter than the previous album The Sham Mirrors; the songs seem more anthemic and thoughtful. There are hardly used electronic effects and rhythms. Instead for many neo-classical solos the keyboards are mainly used for symphonic orchestration and psychedelic -inspired soundscapes. The guitars are less strongly to the fore. Simen Hestnæs ' independent - sometimes elegiac, sometimes " spacey " - song fits into the overall picture. For the first time find themselves on an Arcturus album duets with a female voice.
Reception
Captain Chaos of Vampster is the album 'split' over. He finds that there are "many great moments " have, but also songs, " do not want to ignite so right." Gunnar Claussen of the Baby Blue Pages " attests to the band a considered development ", but criticized that " Arcturus are not always accurate in their compositions to the point". Bruder Cle praises Sideshow Symphonies in Rock Hard as atmospheric " spectacle", for him it is " [ a] vantgardistischer, progressive metal somewhere in the tension of Opeth, Green Carnation and Pink Floyd ."