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The beginnings of ARKONA date back to 2002, when members of local
pagan community "Vyatichi" – Maria "Scream" Arhipova and Alexander
"Warlock" Korolyov – decided to form a band that mirrored their
individual philosophy and musical tastes. The band, at the time
still called Hyperborea, comprised Maria "Scream" Arhipova (vocals),
Eugene Knyazev (guitar), Eugene Borzov (bass), Ilya Bogatyryov
(guitar), Alexander "Warlock" Korolyov (drums), and Olga Loginova
(keyboard), but it wasn’t until February 2002 that ARKONA surfaced
from the depths of Russia’s underground scene. ARKONA soon decided
to record several of their Pagan/Folk songs for their first demo.
The recording took place at CDM-Records Studio in December 2002. The
demo included 3 tracks – "Kolyada", "Solntsevorot” (Solstice)" & "Rus'”
(Russia). These tracks were later included as a bonus on the live
album "Zhizn' vo slavu” (Live for the Great) releases in 2006.
ARKONA began performing live in early 2003, and many concert goers
experienced the band for the first time at the "Yazycheskaya Rus'"
festival. By the summer of 2003, ARKONA was ready to record their
debut, but disinterest in the band by some of its members saw the
band disappear from the scene as quickly as it had arrived. Yet
Maria’s perseverance would not give up. Continuing on her own, and
with the help of the members of Nargathrond, she proceeded to
compose new material. Her fellow musicians readied their
instruments, read through the partitions provided to them by Maria
and without ever looking back recorded their debut album "Vozrozhdenie”
(Revival) in March 2004. "Vozrozhdenie” (Revival) quickly became one
of the most successful Slavic Pagan Metal albums of all time. As
soon as the studio work was completed, Maria dedicated herself to
the creation of new songs and by the end of summer 2004, the
material for the second album "Lepta” (The Contribution) was
completed. With the support of the same line-up, the band finished
the recordings in autumn. “Lepta” was released in December 2004 and
presented the listener with a darker and gloomier style. ARKONA was
also supported by poet and vocalist Les’yar (Nevid', ex-Butterfly
Temple), who not only performed, but also wrote the lyrics for "Zarnitsy
Nashei.Svobody". The album’s release placed ARKONA as a contending
force back on the scene with Maria, Sergey "Lazar" (guitar), Ruslan
"Knyaz'" (bass), and Vlad "Artist" (drums). With a complete line-up,
ARKONA returned to the stages in the beginning of 2005. An
ever-espousing fountain of creativity, Maria continued writing new
material and by the summer of 2005, ARKONA was recording their next
album. "Vo Slavu Velikim” (For the Glory of Great) proved to be the
most complicated and varied album thus far, as the band withdrew
from the use of synthesized sounds, replacing them with authentic
folk instruments. As such, the list of guest musicians grew
considerably including the renowned folk musician Vladimir
Cherepovskiy (Mervent, ex- Voinstvo Sidov, Veter Vody, Trio Mario),
as well as members of Svarga and Alkonost. Though the arrangements
for each song at times exceeded 100 recorded tracks, ARKONA was able
to finally piece together the album and “Vo Slavu Velikim!” (For the
Glory of Great) was finally released in September 2005. During the
touring that followed in support of the album’s release, ARKONA
recorded their performance for the purpose of releasing a DVD and
the live album "Zhizn’ vo Slavu". Fueled by their outstanding
achievements, ARKONA opted not to rest on their laurels and made
sure to return with a new album as soon as possible. Fans heard a
preview of “Ot Serdca K Nebu" (From the Heart to the Sky) at the
2008 Ragnarok Festival. In addition, the band embarked on a 30-day
tour through Europe with Brutal Assault being just one of the
highlights. Back at home, ARKONA decided not to take a break but to
immediately begin working on their 5th album. In order to top their
previous effort, the band aimed to create a very unique album. Thus,
“Goi, Rode, Goi” was born. Time permitting, the band also worked on
their second DVD. “Noch Velesova” was released via Napalm Records in
May 2009. ARKONA also performed at the German festival Winternoise,
taking a well-deserved break from the arduous recording process.
Upon their return, the band continued to work on the new album,
completing the recordings in June 2009. It was quite an enterprise,
as over 40 musicians were involved in the making of “Goi, Rode, Goi”.
ARKONA described the process as the most laborious and
time-consuming work in their history. The band used a fullfledged
chorus and a string quintet for the first time in their career. The
heart of the album is undoubtedly the 15-minute saga 'Na Moey Zemle'
which relates the adventures of a Slav in European countries. This
epic features the voices of members of Manegarm, Menhir , and
Heidevolk, among others. Vladimir Cherepovsky and Vladimir 'Volk',
who has become a full-time member of ARKONA recently, are
responsible for the ethnic /traditional instruments on the album.
The new cover artwork is again the work of the legendary Kris
Verwimp. He delivered a series of conceptual illustrations for each
song on the album.
 On "Goi,
Rode, Goi" ARKONA, the Pagan Metal mongers revolving around
frontlady Masha Scream, give the legends and traditions of their
Russian homeland new life and thus, forge steadfastly forth creating
a captivating mix of metal and folk exceeding in a welcomed
diversity. The characteristic signature sounds stemming from the
mind of Masha run through the compositions in which folk melodies,
delivered by authentic and at times medieval instruments, join the
lively metal riffs, blastbeats, and double bass interludes. The
songstress and concurrent band mastermind provides depth with varied
vocal lines that include a wide spectrum of clean and black metal
parts. The highlight of this latest work is undoubtedly the
monumental "Na moey Zemle" on which an illustrious guest line-up (Heidevolk,
Menhir, Månegarm, etc.) provide the track with a character all of
its own, making it the core of "Goi, Rode, Goi". While this sweeping
and majestic epic song stands out deservingly, it certainly does not
take away from the remaining tracks' songwriting merits. As in the
past, Kris Verwimp's masterful brush has visually ennobled this
package. ARKONA have exceeded their previous and much praised
releases with "Goi, Rode, Goi" and proceed to finally take over the
Pagan Metal throne.
Napalm Records Releases:
Ot Serdca K Nebu - 2008
Noch Velesova (DVD) - 2009
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