Wikipedia

Arkona (band)

Russian folk metal band

Arkona (Russian: Аркона) is a Russian pagan metal band formed in 2002. Their lyrics are influenced by Russian folklore and Slavic mythology. They also use some traditional Russian musical instruments.

Arkona
Arkona in 2018.
Arkona in 2018.
Background information
OriginMoscow, Russia
GenresPagan metal[1]
Folk metal[1]
Black metal[2]
Years active2002—present
LabelsSound Age, Napalm
MembersMasha "Scream"
Sergei "Lazar"
Ruslan "Kniaz"
Vladimir "Volk"
Andrey Ishchenko
Past member(s)See below
Websitewww.arkona-russia.com

History

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The band was formed in February 2002 by two neopagans, Masha Arkhipova and Alexander Korolyov. More members joined, and they recorded their first demo, Rus, in 2002. After recording the demo, they started to perform live with bands like Butterfly Temple, Pagan Reign, Svarga, and Rossomahaar.[3]

The band broke up in September 2003 because of a lack of enthusiasm from some of the band members. Masha Arkhipova continued to write music, and she presented some of her new work to other bandmates from Nargathrond.[4] The material was released in 2004 in the album, Vozrozhdeniye. By this time, Sergei Atrashkevich, Ruslan Rosomaherov and Vlad Lyovushkin Sokolov joined the band. Their next album, Lepta, was released on the same year.

In 2005, the band released the album Vo slavu velikim!. The album was very diverse in that it had many different types of instruments. It was popular in Russia. The group performed the CD live in 2006, and released the live album Zhizn vo Slavu. They released their fourth album, Ot serdtsa k nebu, in 2007.[5]

In 2008, the band performed at the Ragnarök Festival (a festival in Germany that features Viking metal, folk metal and pagan metal acts). The were then signed to the Napalm record label, which reissued their Ot Serdtsa K Nebu album and organized a 30-day European tour.

Their fifth album, Goi, Rode, Goi!, was released on 28 October 2009, and featured 40 guest musicians, including a choir and a string quintet.[6] The album title, Goi, Rode, Goi, means "Hail, Rod, Hail!" Rod is a Slavic great god, Father of the Universe.

 
Arkona in 2010.

In 2010, the band played in more than 150 concerts all over Europe. One year later, they released their sixth studio album, Slovo. The album was said to be more complex compared to their previous work.[7] On that same year, they toured the world. They played in Canada, Mexico, United States and other metal festivals in Europe like Hellfest in France, With Full Force in Germany and Metalfest in Austria.

Their 10th anniversary concert was played in Moscow on 11 February 2012, along with other concerts held throughout Russia and Europe. They performed with bands like Dalriada and Darkest Era.[8]

In October 2013, the band toured in the United States.

In January 2014, Arkona announced that drummer Vlad "Artist" Sokolov had left the band. This was their first lineup change in 10 years.[9] Drummer Andrey Ishchenko joined the band as his replacement.[10] In 2014, the released their seventh studio album, Yav. The album is named after a dimension described in the Slavic pagan Book of Veles.

Members

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Band lineup in 2014.
Current members
  • Maria "Masha Scream" Arkhipova – vocals, keyboards (2002–present)
  • Sergei "Lazar" Atrashkevich – guitars (2003–present)
  • Ruslan "Kniaz" Rosomaherov – bass (2003–present)
  • Vladimir "Volk" Reshetnikov – wind ethnic instruments (2011–present)
  • Andrey Ishchenko – drums (2014–present)
Past members
  • Vlad "Artist" Lyovushkin Sokolov – drums, keyboards (2003–2014)
  • Ilja Bogatyrev – guitar (2002–2003)
  • Evgenij Knjazev – guitar (2002–2003)
  • Evgenij Borzov – bass (2002–2003)
  • Alexandr "Warlock" – drums (2002–2003)
  • Olga Loginova – keyboards (2002–2003)

Discography

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Arkona in 2015. In the background, the album cover for their album Yav is seen.

Studio albums

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Live albums / DVDs

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Demos

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  • Rus (2002)

Music videos

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  • "Slavsia, Rus!"
  • "Pokrovi Nebesnogo Startsa"
  • "Goi, Rode, Goi!"
  • "Liki Bessmertnykh Bogov"
  • "Yarilo"
  • "Stenka na Stenku"
  • "Zov Pustyh Dereven'"
  • "Serbia"
  • "V pogonie za beloj ten'yu"

References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Аркона - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com.
  2. ↑ "Аркона - Лепта". Discogs.
  3. ↑ "Band's history". Official site. Archived from the original on 2015-01-15. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
  4. ↑ "The Arkona Page". Vic Records. Archived from the original on 2013-12-06. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
  5. ↑ "Arkona 'Ot Serdtsa K Nebu'". Soundage. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  6. ↑ Pacheco, George. "Arkona – 'Goi Rode Goi'". About.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  7. ↑ Bösch, Simone (7 September 2011). "Arkona: Slovo" (in German). Metal Hammer. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Hírek" [News]. Dalriada official website (in Hungarian). 26 September 2012. Archived from the original on 27 January 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  9. ↑ "Arkona-Timeline Photos". Facebook. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  10. ↑ Patrashov, Roman (29 January 2014). Новым барабанщиком АРКОНЫ стал Андрей Ищенко. HeadBanger.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  11. ↑ "Arkona - New Album Teaser Online - Metal Storm". www.metalstorm.net.

Other websites

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