In collaboration with our chums at Season Of Mist, we’re pleased to bring you a premiere of the track ‘Wingless Angels’ taken from Arkan’s forthcoming new album Sofia.
This premiere is available to listen to now until May 1st when it will self-destruct at precisely 23:59 CET. To hear it, simply click on the album cover above or point your mouse here. If you like what you hear, visit this link to pre-order a copy of the album.
The sudden loss of a life far too young is always a cataclysmic event for those left behind. A void is left in place of what might have been. Pain and tears erase all smiles. Sofia is the artistic legacy of such a tragedy that befell a member of Arkan, a Parisian Metal band founded by former The Old Dead Tree drummer Foued Moukid in the year 2005. That deep personal crisis easily explains the change of musical spirit, which occurred between 2011’s sophomore album Salam (‘Peace’) and Sofia.
Heartbreaking suffering has been turned into music. Yet instead of wailing in self-pity, beauty and hope are offered without forgetting the scars. Foued founded Arkan with a clear goal to amalgamate melodic death metal with oriental traditions, whose roots reach deep down into the ethnic sounds of Algeria and Morocco; the result was the band’s debut Hilal (2008).
Now Arkan have redefined their style without losing touch with their base. Continuity also dwells in working again with Studio Fredman. Sofia is a heartfelt tribute that reveals more secrets of its detailed textures and meaningful melodies with each listen.
The band’s trademark whirlwind of Arabic percussion and crushing guitar riffing has audibly matured into a more melancholic and subtle sound. There are still moments of ancient oriental strings, but they blend in more organically. The dark warmth of Sarah Layssac’s vocals has gained more room, while Florent Jannier’s deep growls rarely make an appearance in favour of more clean singing.
Tracklisting:
1. Hayati
2. My Reverence
3. March of Sorrow
4. Leaving Us
5. Soiled Dreams
6. Deafening Silence
7. Endless Way
8. Wingless Angels
9. Beauty Asleep
10 .Scar of Sadness
11. Cold Night’s Dream
12. Dark Epilogue
Note: Tracks 9-12 are each a part of the collective song ‘Sofia’.
Arkan is:
Foued Moukid: drums & percussion
Sarah Layssac: female vocals
Florent Jannier: male vocals
Samir Ramila: bass guitar
Mus El Kamal: guitars, acoustic guitars, oûd, mandola
