Band:	Arkona
Album:	Возрождение
Style:	Pagan folk metal
Release date:	April 20, 2004
Guest review by:	Smurfophagist

01. Коляда
02. Масленица
03. К Дому Сварога
04. Возрождение
05. Чёрные Вороны
06. Русь
07. Брате Славяне
08. Солнцеворот
09. Под Мечами
10. По Звериным Тропам
11. Заложный
12. Зов Предков

Arkona is a band that has risen above a great number of Russian pagan metal bands. They have shown us that they are the masters of the pagan style with their debut album Vozhrozdenie.

When this album was made, Arkona was pretty much a one-man, or should I say a one-woman band. Masha Arhipova composed all of the music and she intended to get some session musicians to help her with the recording. Vozhrozdenie was recorded without a single band rehearsal. The piece of metal they made was absolutely epic.

The dominant instrument in all of the songs are the keyboards. They are composed in an almost pompous and orchestral manner. The traditional eastern European melodies are sewn into the music and are completely superior to conventional metal riffs that can be heard in the background. The guitars are a bit weak when compared to keys, but they can deliver some of the melodies. The listener has the impression that each song has so many layers to it, that it is impossible to examine all of them.

Vocals are also a powerful weapon in this album. They are delivered by the mighty Masha Arhipova. She can switch her vocal styles from clean, emotional and melodic to wild shrieks which have the ability to tear your eardrums apart. The lyrics, which are sung in Russian, are pretty much conventional pagan metal lyrics. They glorify Slavic traditions and speak of Slavic ancestors and deities, and they do have some really original aspects to it. You will surely be moved by them, if you speak Russian that is.

As I mentioned earlier the keyboards are the main instrument. However you will not find conventional folk melodies in this album, since this album can be described as a little dark. Arkona will begin introducing those folky melodies as well as traditional instruments in their later albums. A lot of effort has been put into drumming as well. A lot of aggressive rhythms can be found on this album, and they perfectly fit all of the other aspects of Arkona's music. They are, however, often abruptly ended by symphonic passages.

According to my own personal taste, I would call this album somewhat overproduced. But this is nonetheless a pagan metal masterpiece. This album might not appeal to you at first spin, due to it's complexity. It should be listened to with patience, and you will eventually discover it's true beauty.