Biography

Аркона (Arkona) is a Slavic folk metal band from Dolgoprudnyy, Russia, founded in 2002. In 2003 the band recorded their first demo at CDM-RECORDS studio: Rus’. In summer 2003 the band broke up and Masha formed a new collective boasting members from Rossomahaar and Butterfly Temple. With this line-up (and Lesiar as guest musician) the band released five albums. Masha remains the heart of the project, being responsible for the music, vocals (including grunting) and lyrics.

The lyrics focus on the desired revival of Slavonic pagan religion, patriotism, ancestors, battles.
While the first two albums have clear keyboard parts, the latter two releases took a more folky approach, emphasizing the usage of instruments like the flute and accordion.

The temple fortress of Arkona, today called Jaromarsburg, was the religious centre of the Slavic Rani in the Early Middle Ages. The temple was dedicated to the deity Svantevit, who was depicted with four heads. The temple housed an important horse oracle in Slavic times, where the behaviour of a white stallion could decide peace or war (horse oracles have a long history in this region, being already attested in the writings of Tacitus).

Discography:
Аркона - Demo [Demo] - 2002
Аркона - Возрождение [full-length] - 2004
Аркона - Лепта [full-length] - 2004
Аркона - Во Славу Великим! [full-length] - 2005
Аркона - Жизнь Во Славу [Live] - 2006
Аркона - От Сердца к Небу [full-length] - 2007
Аркона - Ночь Велесова [DVD] - 2009
Аркона - Гой, Роде, Гой! [full-length] - 2009
Аркона - Стенка на Стенку [EP] - 2011
Аркона - Слово [full-length] - 2011


Current Line-Up:

Masha “Scream” Arhipova - Vocals (2002-present) (Nargathrond, ex-Ancestral Volkhves, ex-Slavery)
Ruslan “Kniaz” - Bass (2003-present) (Rossomahaar, Nargathrond, ex-Stonehenge)
Vlad “Artist” Sokolov - Drums, Keyboards (2003-present) (Lady Prowler, Rossomahaar, Santa Maria, Nargathrond, ex-Prichudliviy Zarodish)
Sergei “Lazar” - Guitars (2003-present) (Rossomahaar, Der Gerwelt, Nargathrond, ex-Katar, ex-Stonehenge)
Vladimir “Volk” - Flutes, Bagpipes (2009-present)


Former/Past Members:

Alexey “Lesiar” Agafonov - Vocals (Крамола, Невидь, ex-Sinly Dreams, ex-Winterwoman, ex-Butterfly Temple)
Evgenij Borzov - Bass (2002-2003)
Alexandr “Warlock” - Drums (2002-2003) (ex-Kartikeya)
Ilja Bogatyrev - Guitars (2002-2003)
Evgenij Knjazev - Guitars (2002-2003)
Olga Loginova - Keyboards (2002-2003)

Live musicians
Alexander Kozlovskiy - Cello (Session) (Крамола, ex-Melancholy)


Official Website - http://www.arkona-russia.com