Arcturus

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Norway (1987 – 2007, 2011 – present)

Arcturus are an band from Norway featuring many prominent members of the Norwegian black metal scene from bands such as Ulver, Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem, Borknagar, The Kovenant, Emperor, and Winds. Arcturus have experimented throughout their career, extracting influences and incorporating elements from all over the musical spectrum including black metal and classical music, but the core of their sound has always been metal.

Arcturus was formed in 1987 as act Mortem. They released an EP and a demo under this name. In 1990, they changed their name to Arcturus, which is the name of a star and means “Guardian of Bears”.

In 1995, Arcturus released “Aspera Hiems Symfonia” (latin form of Harsh Winter Symphony), acclaimed to be one of the most innovative black metal album ever. That line-up consisted of:
Garm (Kristoffer Rygg) - Vocals
Hellhammer (Jan Axel von Blomberg) - Drums
Sverd (Steinar Sverd Johnsen) - Synths
August (Carl August Tidemann) - Guitar
Skoll (Hugh Stephen James Mingay) - Bass (not assigned on album credits)

Aspera Hiems Symfonia is a mix of early 90s norwegian black metal, classical melodies, waltz and refined touch of nordic coldness. The lyrics concentrate on the themes of winter and the darkness of night.

“All music & words on Aspera Hiems Symfonia emanated from our souls profoundly”. This phrase represents it perfectly.
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Popular tags: black metal, avant-garde metal, progressive metal, avant-garde, metal  See more

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  • gothmind

    Arcturus – The Chaos Path is one of the best songs ever!

    Saturday evening

  • Dezstruction78

    =)

    last week

  • Nomadfyllan

    Arcturus playing at the Inferno festival in Oslo, Norway! Sweet as a fuckfuck! Hardly listened to this band for a very long time, but they are so sweet, and I'm looking forward to a live show. Fuckin win!

    last week

  • SlavicMetalhead

    Ad Astra from the album La Masquerade Infernale is so beautiful...

    last week

  • Jean-esse

    I'm so happy because they're back :) Can't wait for new album.

    16 days ago

  • brainsmasher

    Anyone looking to sell a picture disc copy of Aspera, GET A HOLD OF ME!

    16 days ago

  • pngvn

    Come to the UK please.

    16 days ago

  • DJYewsten

    Some of the best music ever right here. I'm so happy to hear they got back together and making a new album!

    18 days ago

  • JohnLateralus

    Sexy Level: 9.1/10

    20 days ago

  • goffaar

    [.....................-1]

    23 days ago

  • goffaar

    [-1]

    23 days ago

  • rHiggo-cbs

    The Sham Mirrors and Aspera Hiems Symfonia are their two best, IMO.

    last month

  • adf_1277

    I think I'm alone thinking that Aspera Hiems Symfonia is their best? Anyways, I'm gay for this band. Astoundig music

    last month

  • Hitkiller666

    Новое интервью с ICS Vortex http://www.hitkiller.com/intervyu-s-ics-vortex-v-starosti-ya-budu-vypolzat-na-scenu.html

    last month

  • madmaxia

    the chaos path

    last month

  • SlavicMetalhead

    The Sham Mirrors !

    last month

  • Morgoth34

    Гениальные ребята.

    December 2011

  • korviness

    they are together now!!

    December 2011

  • Aserihclem

    garm is just great

    December 2011

  • Idmercial

    Garm and I.C.S. Vortex are ones of the greatest vocalists ever, but i like Garm a little more anyway

    December 2011
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Arcturus disbands

22 Apr 2007 | from blog.myspace.com/arcturusnorway

Official statement from Arcturus; A lot of rumours have been going around after our gig in Melbourne. Simen opened the concert with the words "Welcome to the last Arcturus-show ever". This is a …

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