Artist: Arctis
Title: Arctis
Label: Napalm Records
Cat #: NPR1350DGS
Release Year: 2024
Duration: Album
Format: CD
Packaging Type: Digisleeve

Arctis is the self-titled debut album from the Finnish modern metal band. 

Arctis draws inspiration from the mythical nature of the north and its extreme seasons, which they transfer into a futuristic scenario. They pull off an equally great balancing act on the sound level when they skillfully combine modern metal with pop to create an epic and original sound universe. The debut was produced by the multi-platinum award-winning Jimmy Westerlund (Sturm und Drang), mixed by Stefan Glaumann (Rammstein) and mastered by the two-time Grammy-nominated Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein). With this concentrated expertise as a tailwind, Arctis promises to shake up the scene with a breath of fresh air, which they will prove on the stages of Europe immediately after the release because Arctis have the honour of accompanying the legendary metal cellists of Apocalyptica on their tour, which underlines their status as high-flyers.

Arctis unite the opposites of nature and technology, just as Nordic nature combines the opposites of light and darkness in a very special way. Magic is unleashed and stories are told that go far beyond the music. Frontwoman Alva captivates with the charisma of an ice queen and the charisma of a leader who shows the way to Captain Björn, the magician Michael, the restless wanderer Mats and the wise man Mika. Together they create a fantastic energy that cannot be escaped.

ARTICS use Nordic metaphors to describe inner conflicts in the midst of the chaos of the modern world. The strong opener "I'll Give You Hell" is an honest reckoning with non-commitment in relationships that lack honesty and commitment. With a cover version of "Bimbo (Lambretta Cover)", the original version of which has reached over 5 million streams, the quintet pays tribute to the pop influences in their music. With that same pop-rock feel of the 2000s, "Remedy" addresses the fatal consequences of drug addiction, while the mystical "Tell Me Why" addresses anger and self-deception. "Frozen Swan" is a track that addresses personal freedom and flows seamlessly into the intense "Fire" which describes drug use as playing with fire. "When The Lights Go Out" describes the confrontation with inner darkness. The album ends brilliantly with "Theatre Of Tragedy", which builds powerful guitar riffs into an ode to invincibility.

With their music, visuals and narratives, Arctis creates a multidimensional world that fans can immerse themselves in and lose themselves in. Epic melodies combine with unbridled riffs to create a powerful storm that will be untamable."

Recommended if you like: Amaranthe, Within Temptation, Ad Infinitum, Metalite, Beast In Black, Battle Beast, Follow The Cipher, Brothers Of Metal

Track Listing:
01 I'll Give You Hell
02 Bimbo (Lambretta Cover)
03 Remedy
04 Tell Me Why
05 Frozen Swan
06 WWM
07 Fire
08 Child Of The Night
09 When The Lights Go Out
10 No Slave
11 Theater Of Tragedy