We got a bit of a lowdown on the new Arkona album thanks to an interview they did with us recently. Singer Masha told us that this was even more of an effort that ‘Goi Rode Goi’ which in itself contained 40 odd musicians. Slovo was going to encompass a choir and orchestra as well as solo players and it was going to be stronger and more powerful than its predecessor. Of course we had a little taster of just one of the tracks Stenka Na Stenku on the EP of that name and with that song left as the penultimate number on the new album it is an easily identifiable and incredibly rousing song that really sticks out.
You can hear the work that has gone into this as soon as play is pressed. The intro piece Az’ is orchestral and the work of the Chamber Orchestra of Kazan State Conservatory, next traditional pipes pave the way into the world of Arkona and then the chorals of The choir of Moscow State Conservatory students join in. This is battered away by the formidable drumming of Vlad, paving the way for the jauntier up front metal of Arkona themselves on Arkaim. The factions still meet with Masha’s guttural tones being the beast (yep the woman can be the beast) and the choir being the beauty. The folkloric aspects are never far away and this album as ever includes a huge array of traditional instrumentation including khomuz, shaman drums, balalaika, Gaita Gallega, tin whistle, low whistle, sopilka, zhaleyka, blockflute, hurdy-gurdy and well I could go on but you get the picture! Of course songs are merry and fast and cut a wild jig, whilst retaining a metallic backbone and a real pagan and mystical feel. The heathen cleave is furrowed away on Bol’no mne and the album has really got off to a flying start packing in more ideas on the first three numbers than most bands do in an entire career. Some songs are designed to be a bit simpler like the bounce around of ‘Leshiy,’ enhanced by hurdy-gurdy, wild yells and laughs it’s bound to be a real pit monster live. Apparently it’s about a forest spirit in Slavic mythology too which really adds to the songs atmosphere.
After a spoken word ‘Predok’ (prayer) to deceased ancestors ‘Nikogda’ adds a blackened swagger with strident guitar swipes and the chorals riding over it all like the crest of a wave. Masha’s clean singing and chanting help the song flow as it pitches between violence and beauty with fantastic fortitude. Slovo which means The Word itself starts off in dreamy fashion with acoustic guitar reminding a bit of Drudkh and Negura Bunget before an enraged roar paves the way for a maudlin pipe etched melody. There is a very naturistic feel going on here but as the song develops there are many facets to it, including spoken word parts, medieval sounding jigs and backing chants.
There is so much going on in these 14 tracks and almost hour of music that describing it all would be nigh on impossible. If you have not heard the aforementioned ‘Stenka Na Stenku’ though it is impossible to ignore and could well have you leaping up and throwing yourself around the living room, so be warned. Apparently last number ‘Zimushka’ is based upon an ancient Siberian native song so you can’t get much more authentic than that.
Arkona have always been an interesting band and if you like metal with folk laden accoutrements things do not get any better than this. Slovo is an album bristling with passion and a huge wealth of ideas and for the hour you are listening to it prepare to enter a different and intriguing world.
http://www.arkona-russia.com
Pete Woods
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