| Arcturus | |
|---|---|
Arcturus in 2005 |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Norway |
| Genres | Symphonic black metal, avant-garde metal, progressive metal |
| Years active | 1987–2007, 2011- |
| Labels | Century Media, Music for Nations, Candlelight, The End, Jester, Season of Mist |
| Associated acts | Age of Silence, Borknagar, Code, Dimmu Borgir, The Kovenant, Mayhem, Scariot, Spiral Architect, Ulver, Ved Buens Ende |
| Website | www.arcturus.no |
| Members | |
| Steinar Sverd Johnsen Jan Axel Blomberg Knut Magne Valle Hugh Mingay Simen Hestnæs Tore Moren |
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| Past members | |
| (see below) | |
Arcturus is an avant-garde metal band formed in Norway in 1987. They named it Arcturus (meaning Bear Guardian), after the Behenian fixed star Arcturus.
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The band has released four official full-length albums. Arcturus has experimented throughout their career, extracting influences and incorporating elements from all over the musical spectrum including black metal and classical music, but the band was rooted as a metal outfit.
The original line-up was changed when bassist/vocalist Marius Vold (ex-Thorns), was taken out of the band. The band soon became labeled a black metal supergroup, consisting of Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg on vocals, Carl August Tidemann on guitar, Skoll on bass, and the two other original members, Hellhammer on drums, and Steinar Sverd Johnsen as main composer/keyboard player. In 1994, Samoth played guitars on the EP Constellation and released it on his record label, Nocturnal Art.
After three full-length albums, Rygg left the band. He was replaced by Øyvind Hægeland from the band Spiral Architect. Øyvind performed live with the band, but did not appear on any recordings. On January 5, 2005, the band announced that Øyvind had moved too far away for his continued involvement to be practical and they had parted ways. He was replaced by Simen "ICS Vortex" Hestnæs, who had previously performed vocals on three Arcturus tracks ("Master of Disguise", "The Chaos Path", and "Painting My Horror") on La Masquerade Infernale. Upon Carl August Tidemann's leaving the band, Knut Magne Valle joined. In 2003, Tore Moren joined on second guitar for live performances and eventually found himself accepted as an official member of the band. Knut and Tore then shared lead duties on guitar, with Knut on 7 string guitar and Tore using a standard 6 string guitar.
On April 16, 2007, it was announced that the band would be breaking up, and more details were revealed in an official statement released on the band's website on April 17.[1] The official statement was written by all of the band members, confirming rumours that had been circulating after their Melbourne concert, the last one of the Australian tour, in which Simen "Vortex" Hestnæs, the band's vocalist, introduced the show to the audience with the words "Welcome to the last Arcturus show- ever." The statement went on to say that the split was a 'decision we made some time ago,' and that because of ongoing 'things' in their careers and lives, the members could no longer 'find the time to continue working with this band.' The statement closed with a tribute to the fans of the band, "We are humble and grateful to all the people that have supported and loved us over the years."[2]
There were rumours circulating the internet that Arcturus may reform with Garm as the vocalist. Hellhammer confirmed that an Arcturus reunion was inevitable, and that Garm had shown interest in participating.[3] (page 11). Garm later denounced this on his personal Facebook page. Furthermore, ICS Vortex mentioned that he had plans to resurrect "a band or three" in a blog he posted shortly after being removed from Dimmu Borgir.[4] Vortex also stated on his Myspace page that he was told by an alien that regarding an Arcturus reunion, 2011 is a lucky number.
ICS Vortex confirmed an Arcturus reunion show at ProgPower USA 2011 Festival. In addition, Vortex also said "Beloved freaks! ProgPower USA 2011 will host the first Arcturus concert in 5 years. This is our first performance in the United States, and since we`re all retarded, probably the last."[5][6]
The show was later cancelled due to "hibernation sickness" and "outdated parts".[7]
Arcturus was supposed to play its first reunion show at Avant-Garde Night vol. 2 in Poland,[8] but it was cancelled and they rescheduled show to January.
They played a show September 9th, 2011 at the KICK Nattklubb & Scene in Kristiansand, Norway. When asked about it by a fan on his facebook, Vortex said "yes I can confirm once again that Arcturus is on"
They are also planning to play Inferno Metal Festival in 2012.[9]
In an interview published by Lords of Metal webzine, ICS Vortex says Arcturus are working on a new album.[10]
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