Arcana

Arcana is a symphonic-metal work centered on the clear voice of Sabine Edelsbacher and Lanvall’s layered keyboards and guitar. Rather than heavy riffs, it builds a fantastical world through melody and spatial expanse. It is the second album, developing the direction shown on the debut into a richer, more refined form. On “Ascending,” “Fly on a Rainbow Dream,” “Starlight Reverie” and “Arcana,” each song is graceful yet the rhythmic core is firm, so it never ends as mere fantasy music. Songs like “The Palace” and “Suspiria” breathe the band’s firm compositional skill too. Carefully balancing beauty and metal drive, it is a full record for fully savoring the appeal of symphonic metal, with orchestral color and firm melodic sense harmonizing splendidly throughout.