Arkadien is a band from Stockholm, Sweden that plays Progressive Rock between classic and modern, with Floydian and 70s reminiscences. The new EP entitled “Stories Of Arcadia” was released on October 22, 2024 and contains a short opening intro and three long tracks to complete the tracklist. As per the title, “Intro” is a short 1:27-minute track that plunges us dreamily into listening to the EP and leads us into “Stormy Waters.” It is the longest track in duration, exceeding 7 minutes and opens with the dreamy melodies of the intro to which warm and expressive vocal layers are added. The rhythm section is elaborate and full of continuous tempo changes, while the track is almost entirely sung, except for some guitar and keyboard solo interventions. The Progressive textures that form the background to the singing are interesting, elaborate and well constructed with good guitar and keyboard mixtures. Piano and drumming open “Silent Woods,” over which an intense, pathos-laden vocal is added. With the entry of all the instruments and the passing of the minutes, the band develops a symphonic prog theme, soft and delicate, with good keyboard textures in the melodies and the vocal that also here leaves little room for the instrumental parts, which could, in my humble opinion, be enhanced more. An energetic sound characterises “Charge Of The Kentaur,” the last track on the album. Good chiatrra and keyboard work offer solo interludes in the opening, while the rhythm section is solid and elaborate, enriched by the tempo changes that allow them to combine heavier sections with symphonic openings. A long instrumental track, which enhances the band’s compositional and performing technique. The guitar and keyboard phrasings accompany us for the long duration of the track, evolving and developing the central theme of the song, between classical and modern sounds that intertwine. This EP features an intro, two almost entirely sung tracks and one instrumental, all three of which are long. Some ideas are interesting, both in the vocal tracks and in the instrumental one, in my humble opinion, the most incisive of the entire tracklist. By including instrumental parts in the sung tracks, the band could better express and enhance their technique, both performing and composing. Overall, a smooth listen, with some good ideas and an engaging instrumental track in the finale.
Tracklist
01. Intro (01:27)
02. Stormy Waters (07:47)
03. Silent Woods (06:47)
04. Charge of the Kentaur (06:13)
Lineup
Carl Efvergren / Guitars
Christian Efvergren / Bass Guitar
Anton Mehrlein / Drums
Joakim Bergqvist / Organ, Piano, Moog and Keyboards
Richard Ullman Magnusson / Vocals