Fronted by Ice Queen Alva Sandström, ARCTIS are an up-and-coming band from Finland that hope to make a name for themselves on the melodic/modern metal stage. Their eponymous debut album, “Arctis,” is scheduled for a November 1st, 2024, release via Napalm Records and it comes just in time for their European tour with the mighty APOCALYPTICA later this fall.
As evident from the singles “I’ll Give You Hell” and “Bimbo” (LAMBRETTA cover), their sound is very focused on a driving, poppy melody blanketed in a thick layer of pulsating EDM soundscapes. Fortunately, Alva Sandström’s vocals are sharp and piercing enough to cut through everything and float above the instrumentals. The Finns’ potent mix of pop melodies with a metal backbone and futuristic sound effects may lead some people to label their music as pop metal and, thus, lump them in with such acts as AMARANTHE, EDGE OF PARADISE, or fellow countrymates CRIMSON SUN, and they wouldn’t be too far off the mark. Produced by multi-platinum, award-winning producer Jimmy Westerlund (STURM UND DRANG), mixed by Stefan Glaumann (RAMMSTEIN), and mastered by two-time Grammy-nominated Svante Forsbäck (RAMMSTEIN), their self-titled album offers a carefully curated sonic experience that is a bit too cold and emotionless for my taste but fun and energetic nonetheless.
Within such a soundscape, the band tries to inject some substance into their music by tackling heavy subjects like drug addiction, mental health, interpersonal relationships, and personal growth. As such, the fast-paced opener and lead single, “I’ll Give You Hell,” is all about romantic entanglements and the complexities of a relationship (well, according to the press release, anyway). To me, this song is such a poignant counterpoint to DYNAZTY’s latest single, “Devilry of Ecstasy,” – which warns against superficiality in a relationship with the bottom line being to “never trust the gold that glimmers so beautiful” – as the first lines in “I’ll Give You Hell” are “A perfect ten, I’m heaven sent / I know you’re hooked, I feel your vibe” and continues to caution that “I’ll give you hell and a little piece of heaven…” Regardless of its lyrics, it’s a cool, energetic track.
Conversely, the rockish “Remedy” is an upbeat number with some subtle but interesting vocal effects, gritty guitars, and a repetitive melodic hook that references “Lucy in the Sky” as a nod to the famous song by THE BEATLES as this track is also about the dangers of drug addiction and the things one may do to get their fix (or their remedy, as per the lyrics). The dace-friendly “Tell Me Why” again has some vocal effects that give it a more impersonal and robotic feel, while the steady rhythm is carried by a great groove. The melancholy “Frozen Swan” boasts a thick bass line and soft vocals but it doesn’t strike me as either emotional or passionate, though the guitar solo is absolutely amazing and the lyrics about being free are more than relatable. Up next, “WWM” is one of the better cuts on “Arctis” being quite heavy with thundering drums, chugging guitars, and a catchy chorus section that will crush in a live setting. It also offers some of Alva Sandström’s best vocals on this album, showcasing her range and timber really well.
With its very strong EDM/techno vibe that comes from the clearly autotuned vocals and repeated beats, “Fire” wouldn’t have been out of place on the most recent EDGE OF PARADISE album. Heck, Sandström’s vocals even channel Margarita Monet’s delivery in both tone and the way Monet likes to play around with whispers and highs, making for a very energetic and dynamic track. To keep things interesting, “Child of the Night” feels like a remix of a melancholy track that originally had a great emphasis on vocals and atmosphere though the added electronic soundscapes give it a more artificial vibe. The upbeat “When The Lights Go Out” sounds much more convincing as a proper modern metal anthem that is coated in a thick layer of electronica and EDM while the closing track, “Theatre of Tragedy,” once again combines power guitar riffs with a modern sheen as the lyrics deal with the struggles of mental health.
Walking on the same path that AMARANTHE trail-blazed more than a decade ago, ARCTIS aims to create a perfect balance between the catchiness of pop melodies and the heaviness of metal but their formula needs a bit more refinement as more often than not the electronic and EDM elements overpower the metal side of the music and thus make the songs more fitting for clubs or radio waves. That being said, I have to acknowledge the fact that, overall, “Arctis” offers a dynamic, energetic, and fun listening experience and, more importantly, showcases a band with the potential to create its own sonic identity on the modern metal scene.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
01 I’ll Give You Hell
02 Bimbo (Lambretta Cover)
03 Remedy
04 Tell Me Why
05 Frozen Swan
06 WWM
07 Fire
08 Child Of The Night
09 When The Lights Go Out
10 No Slave
11 Theatre Of Tragedy
Lineup
Alva Sandström – Vocals
Michael Mikander – Guitar
Björn Johansson – Guitar
Mats Ödahl – Bass
Mika Paananen – Drums
Label
Napalm Records
