Tag: ark

Album number two from this oh so short lived project that I wish would have carried on for much longer. Ark were put together by ex-Conception guitarist Tore Ostby and drummer for hire John Macaluso. They would later recruit the mighty Jorn Lande on vocals and bass whizz Randy Coven on bass. I don’t think Jorn has surpassed the vocal performance he puts in here. Incredible vocals throughout, that perfectly fit the sonic landscapes created by Ostby. And for Ostby, it has to be up there with the best tunes he has created.

I have had this on CD since it was released in 2001, and I still play it regularly as it really is a freaking awesome album. The riffs and grooves are just incredible and the vocal melodies and hooks are on a different level. This album should have made them stars within the genre.

Favourite track? Well, pick any and you would not be disappointed. Today, I will pick the title track. It has a superb riff and groove, and what a powerhouse vocal performance. It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.

This is a perfect album and if you like progressive metal then you MUST own this.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

Killer band who burned bright for oh so briefly and only released two albums, of which this is the first, released in ’99. I was a huge fan of Conception and loved Tore Ostby as a guitar player and when I heard he was teaming up with Jorn Lande to record as a group I was super stoked to hear what they came up with. I first heard Jorn’s vocal talents as a member of Vagabond, a group put together by TNT’s Ronnie Le Tekro after they went on one of their many breaks.

In brief this album is a monster record and if you like your progressive metal with a huge chunk of melody thrown in along side crushing riffs, then you should love this. I’ll go straight to my favourite track The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, this is one of my favourite tracks ever as I love how all styles come together to produce one epic piece. Jazz, funk, Latin, metal, and melody all collide in a burst of awesomeness.

The intro to Mother Love sounds like early Santana but revamped and improved for a modern generation of listeners. Jorn’s voice is superb on this one and John Macaluso is a beast on the kit. The staccato chugga grooves of Center Avenue sound so huge and make this one epic track. What a way to close out a record with Cant Let Go. A vast musical piece that that builds through varying styles and feels like the band’s Pink Floyd moment.

As I mentioned already, this is a superb album and you should really own this.

10/10 from The Grooveman.