Arctis – Arctis

Who are ARCTIS? ARCTIS is a modern metal band from the depths of Finland that combines nature and technology and draws inspiration from the extreme seasons of the cold north, among other things. They captivate both fans and first-time listeners with a fantastic storytelling that goes far beyond the music. It is thanks to their talent, dedication and hard work that they will soon be touring with Finnish metal masters Apocalyptica to showcase their debut album and themselves live on stage, cementing their status as “a must for fans of melodic music”. The album was produced by Jimmy Westerlund (Sturm und Drang), mixed by Stefan Glaumann and mastered by Svante Forsbäck. Let's listen to what the Finns have to offer us on their debut.

We start with the opener “I'll Give You Hell”, which was also the first release in the run-up to their self-titled album “Arctis”. You can also watch the video produced for the debut single on YouTube. The electronic elements in the music are reminiscent of a mixture of Electric Callboy and Within Temptation, but with a touch of their own, which is partly due to the sonorous voice of singer Alva Sandström. The mid-tempo sound, carried by a prominent drum kit, is captivating right from the start. What I would have liked here, however, would have been more guitar sound or a heavier sound. Only towards the end is there a nice solo, which would have benefited from a few more distortions. Nevertheless, we have an energetic opener here.

Next up is “Bimbo”, a track that is a cover version of the hit single “Bimbo” by Swedish alternative rock band Lambretta, which has already reached over five million streams in its original version. ARCTIS aims to further enhance the song's impressive impact with their own version and a newly created music video. The band says of the cover:

“We are excited to announce the release of our brand new single - a cover of the 2000 hit 'Bimbo' by Lambretta! This song was a standout track at the time and we felt it deserved to be brought to a new audience. With the intensity of our sound, we reinterpreted the song without destroying the spirit of the original. We can't wait for everyone to hear our version and hope that it evokes the same excitement and nostalgia that we did. Get ready for an epic journey - our version of 'Bimbo' is out now!”

Even though the two versions are of course similar, ARCTIS have created their raison d'être as the official cover version of “Bimbo” with their futuristic sound concept of electro influences and the yearning sound, without distracting from the original. I like the quiet part in the bridge better in the Finns' version, I like Alva's soft vocals.

Songs such as “Tell Me Why”, “Frozen Swan” and “Fire” each manage to attract attention - be it through clever songwriting, marching drums and melodic guitar playing or through the lovely yet energetic vocals. But the Finns lack a clear unique selling point. Of course, Alva Sandström does a good job on the album, but when the songs get heavier, she sometimes gets too high-pitched in her vocals, which can quickly come across as shrill to the appreciative listener. As already mentioned at the beginning, the instruments could, with a few exceptions, come much more to the fore in the course of the album. In addition to classic elements of modern metal, a keyboard can often be heard over the tracks. A comparison: Another band whose sound reminds me of ARCTIS is Amaranthe. While Amaranthe convince with several vocalists and provide variety, this is exactly what ARCTIS lack. Of course, you shouldn't forget that this is their debut album and that they can't yet show everything that a long-established band can do. Nevertheless, there are many artists in the modern metal genre who play similar music. I am therefore sure that the combo from cold Finland will also find their individual way in the future.

In conclusion, what can I say about ARCTIS' debut that hasn't yet been mentioned in my review? Catchy songs like the opener “I'll Give You Hell” or “No Slave” stay in your head and are fun, but the whole thing still lacks the finishing touches. However, I have no doubt that the band will be able to convince me completely in the future - the beginnings and the will are there. Nevertheless, I say: listen to the album, because at the end of the day, what you read here is just my own opinion.