I just heard this amazing band today for the first when my friend suggested I give them a listen he said they're a great band with alot of ambience and progressive elements and he was right. So Far I've only listened to the albums Sideshow Symphonies and Sham Mirrors and I can tell this band will quickly become one of my favorites because both albums are great.

Good to hear. They are definitely a band I'm surprised a lot more people don't enjoy. They're only making one gig appearance this year (in Norway). I'd kill to see them live, even though they came here twice last year and I didn't find out about it until months later.

Pretty cool band, they create a very special atmosphere I really like them, I haven't that much stuff though but the few I've listened to rocks =)

Their first album is their best but I am not a big fan of symphonic black metal stuff

Chah!! How did i miss this thread Arcturus is one hell of a band.
Aspera Heims Symponia is probably there best album and my favourite album, although i like the other releases like La Masquerade Infernale and The Sham Mirrors.
Bands like Arcturus are amazing and a give a whole new dimension to Black Metal.

I'd say all of their albums are great and enduce the perfect atmosphere for the band's quirky stage setout they have live.

Written by Daru Jericho on 12.09.2006 at 02:14

I'd say all of their albums are great and enduce the perfect atmosphere for the band's quirky stage setout they have live.

i hopemI understand corect what you say about Arcturus and about albums, i dont think all albums are great like firts Arcturus but about atmosfere in them muisc i only gree in ewery arcturus album atmosfere are suck strong and great

I had learned to love Aspera Hiems Symphonia, but tried to get into La Masquerade Infernale and it's an incredibly messy album...

Anyway this should be on alternative metal forum ^^ Although their dark atmosphere they ain't extreme metal at all

not anymore, they're such an extremely quirky band at times.

really great band, new album is good, but The Sham Mirrors is their best album (to me).
and vocal is so amazing.

Probably touring Australia early next year. I imagine it'll be pretty excellent - anyone seen them live?

There is a great difference in Aspera Hiems symphonia and the other releases, I like Aspera the best.
thet was black metal, now I wouldn't say. With that giant Vortex.
I watched Shipwrecked in Oslo few days ago, and I must say it is interesting, In moments the concert becomes circus, people running on the stage, some dressed like animals, dwarfs, woman with beard ....

Arcturus, maan. This is probably one of my favorite avant-garde bands. Ever since I heard "Star Crossed" I've been hooked on this band. Everyone of their albums are a masterpiece in my opinion. Espeically "The Sham Mirrors" That album will always be my favorite Arcturus release.

Indeed

Early next year though (around Feb, me thinks) they plan on doing a quick European tour before Dimmu Borgir release their new album and tour extensively (seein as Vortex and Mr Hellhammer are involved with DB). They probably will hit London, seeing as they have quite a big fanbase here and have come here twice within a year (muhahah!) and if they don't I'll cry. I'll be so happy to see them live. I've seen footage of them when they played here and I've seen Shipwrecked In Oslo. They seem to put on quite the live show!

Space pirates!

I just bought Aspera Hiems Symfonia+Constellation+My Angel and Sideshow Symphonies today. I haven't been able to listen to Sideshow Symphonies yet, but Aspera Hiems Symfonia sounds pretty fucking sweet so far. I actually heard it about two years ago when I borrowed it from a friend, but I guess my ears weren't ready for it or something because I remember that I didn't care much for it back then. I love the keyboards that they use and their overall creativity is impressive, and it's the first album that I actually was impressed by Hellhammer's drumming.

Now all I need is La Masquerade Infernale...

La masquerad Infernale is their best work in my opinion (though I haven't heard Sideshow Symphonies yet), it's very avant-garde, but it still retains the atmosphere of black metal, also the lyrics are very poetic and Satanic in an intelligent way and the vocals are very good .

It's also a bit more out there than their other albums. "Sham Mirrors" and the "Aspera Hiems" are much easier to digest. I find myself listening to those two more often than "Masquerade."

It's a great album, but I have to be in a very specific mindset to enjoy it.

I also especially like the Constellation EP that came with the reissue of their debut album. It sounds strikingly similar to Aspera Hiems in pretty much every way. On only one listen, I think I enjoy the EP the most...

the version of "My Angel" is creepy - I love it. looks like we both got the same double disc set.

I finally listened to Sideshow Symphonies today and I agree with most of you in regards to it being their worst album. It's not bad or anything, but it's too linear and doesn't really offer anything new. I'm not impressed with the production either, because Hellhammer's drums always sound annoying to me. The triggers lack bass and it just sounds odd on a sound system.

Since the first time I listened to Arcturus, I knew that they'd be among my favorite bands, wow! what a great music!
They have gothic, black, atmospheric touches in their music, extreme and melodic stuff... just awesome, such a shame that they splitted up

Ah well, after Garm left the band lost its touch already so I don't really mind. They made two amazing albums and I own both of them. Arcturus did their job for the 'music evolution' and Garm is still busy with Ulver.

Pretty good band, I cant say I like all their stuff the same, but if I tell you that they are one of the few black metal bands I can really listen - than you know what I mean.

I must check out theirs early work, but I can tell that "Sham Mirrors" is an excelent album, and Id suggest evryone to at least try to listen to it....

Question: I know this band for a while, but never get to know them very good. So which album(s) is/are the best?

Written by [user id=588] on 22.09.2007 at 12:33

Question: I know this band for a while, but never get to know them very good. So which album(s) is/are the best?

I suggest you to try the "Sham Mirrors" first, then try the rest.....

Written by [user id=588] on 22.09.2007 at 12:33

Question: I know this band for a while, but never get to know them very good. So which album(s) is/are the best?

I sugest you first EP ''My Angel'' and EP ''Constellation'' thay are so epic and great BM stuff also album ''Aspera Hiems Symfonia'' This are well knowed and bets album of them next one ''La Masquerade Infernale'' are lil whit avangard touch,

Written by [user id=588] on 22.09.2007 at 12:33

Question: I know this band for a while, but never get to know them very good. So which album(s) is/are the best?

My first Arcturus album was La Masquerade Infernale, and though you probably won't like it on the first listen, I think it would be the best place to start as it retains the dark and misanthropic atmosphere of their black metal period, while containing very weird avant-garde metal. It's my favorite Arcturus record (though I haven't heard the last one) and one of my greatest overall favorite records, so I definetly reccomend you to try it.

Thanks Ed Hunter, Kariasaksis7 and Rageing atheist!

But now it's for me even harder because you three all say different albums.
I will try them all, and again thanks for your help!

Written by [user id=588] on 23.09.2007 at 12:47

Thanks Ed Hunter, Kariasaksis7 and Rageing atheist!

But now it's for me even harder because you three all say different albums.
I will try them all, and again thanks for your help!

Yeah, we kinda screwed it this time... : But Iv mentioned "Sham Mirrors" because its easiest for listening, so maybe the best to get you introduced to the band....