Album Review: Arcturon - Expect Us

«Arcturon» stands for modern touched melodic death metal from Switzerland. Brilliant guitar riffs, striking melodies and the band's typical wrecking ball show that there are no limits in metal. In 2014, the band not only celebrates its 10th anniversary, but returns with a real challenge. The new EP «Expect Us» will be released on October 24th and will outshine everything that has come before. Recorded in the Swedish Fascinationstreet Studios and produced by Johan Örnborg (Arch Enemy, Soilwork, Katatonia, etc.), the disc impressively shows the potential of the four Swiss.

The band was founded a good ten years ago in Reigoldswil, Switzerland, by guitarist Florian Moritz, who was only 14 at the time, drummer Samuel Fischer and percussionist Samuel Spinnler. However, a complete line-up can only be spoken of in the following summer, when bassist Felix Bacher, keyboardist Roger Plattner and shouter Wieland Schmied join them. With this line-up they played their first gig in spring 2006, but soon had to part with half of the members. Both Samuels as well as Wieland and Roger scratch the curve. Felix also takes over the microphone, Samuel Sigrist the keys and Stefan Maier sits down behind the drums. In this constellation they recorded their first demo «Breaking Walls» in 2007 and left their first own scent in melodic death metal.

The next follows in the form of an opener gig during the 2007 Metalfest tour at the Z7 in Pratteln, where they open for «Six Feet Under», «Nile», «Finntroll» and «Belphegor». With Aljosha Gasser, a new shouter joins «Arcturon» in 2009, since Felix has officially left the band. He only helps out live at the gig with Zonaria on bass until Yanick Vernet takes over the post permanently. After Samuel Fischer has resumed his old place behind the drums, «Arcturon» scrape together all their cash and, under the supervision of producer Jonas Kjellgren (Hypocrisy, Scar Symmetry, Sonic Syndicate), enter the Abyss Studio in Sweden to release their debut « The Eight Thorns Conflict». With the disc as an in-house production in hand, they get a deal with the booking agency Massive Music and are finally on stage regularly. In 2011 they not only accompany "Rotting Christ" on tour and perform with "Arch Enemy" and "Varg", but also heat up the tent at the Summer Breeze in August of that year.

Arcturon - My Treasure [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Although the line-up is constantly changing with the exception of Aljosha Gasser, Flo and Sam, the three of them really get going and don't shy away from taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest preliminary round in Switzerland. As soon as they collected enough material again, they are back in the studio with Jonas Kjellgren and recording their second album «An Old Storm Brewing». Confusingly, they now have a bassist with them who, like their drummer, goes by the name of Samuel Fischer. With the new album «Arcturon» get a deal with the German label Supreme Chaos Records, where «An Old Storm Brewing» will be released in February 2013.

What many routine victims have lost over the years, the quartet incorporates hectolitres into its work: Pure, adrenaline-filled passion and so the EP "Expect Us" is in the starting blocks for the 10th anniversary and shows the potential in the four Swiss stuck. Each of the four songs has its own character and the four-tracker sounds professional. After the debut demo and two long tracks, the quartet is waiting for the next sign of life and skillfully unwinds its four melodic death metal boards. All tracks have a good groove and make your neck spin in ecstasy. The quartet really succeeded in these four pieces and I am sure that the boys will continue to go their own way. "Expect Us" will be released on October 24th and will be christened on October 25th at Z7 in Pratteln.

You can do the album buy in our shop.

Tracklist:

1. My treasure
2. Expect Us
3. A restless soul
4. Rowan

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