I had the Arcane Sun self titled on today for the first time in a while. What a brilliant album- needs the vinyl treatment, of course- and it captures a moment in the Irish scene. There was a bit of magic in the air around then that seemed to die down a little (nostalgia??) in the following years, although Corr Mhóna might have tapped into something similar in recent times. It's a pity Arcane Sun fizzled out and Fade never got a release but I remain optimistic. It would be cool to hear those dudes do something together again and see what they'd come up with twenty years on.
Yeah good band back in the day alright,they could/should have probably hit another level in terms of popularity.
Yes indeed. I think with a better label behind them and a bit of momentum they'd have potentially become more known outside Ireland. I only caught them live once when they supported Morbid Angel with Abaddon Incarnate (or am I jumbling up gigs?) and was so impressed. They soon imploded, sadly.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on August 25, 2019, 09:35:26 PM
Yes indeed. I think with a better label behind them and a bit of momentum they'd have potentially become more known outside Ireland. I only caught them live once when they supported Morbid Angel with Abaddon Incarnate (or am I jumbling up gigs?) and was so impressed. They soon imploded, sadly.
Yeah same as,one ond only time i saw them live.
I recall running into Paul in the jacks at some gig or other years back and breaking into an impromptu "Sundrenched" chorus ,...these rock stars can't even take a piss in peace.
Never heard the second album, according to MA it only got a digital release?
A magic album for sure lads but I wouldn't like to hear what else they could do 20 years on. Some things should be left as they are and this is a case in point, the chemistry on that record simply can't be replicated. Would love to see it get the vinyl treatment, I'll agree on that , it more than deserves a high quality reissue.
I think something that hindered these lads was their live shows, I see Morbid Angel mentioned there by the young Mclove, I remember that one as being on the shambolic side, the whole thing was a mess for the supports in general moreso Abaddon but Arcane Sun definitely suffered. Also, they had a stand in guitarist that night who looked best placed in an Oasis tribute band, that may sound petty but it totally took from the mystique for me. I seen the band on a handful of other occasions the best probably being the support to Anathema in Doran's but they just weren't as consistent or polished as their peers, although Abaddon and Primordial were still early on in their careers they were nearer to being complete packages in terms of live performance.
You could be right there. It's a long time ago now but I remember being impressed at the time by Abaddon's savagery and the complexity or maturity of sound that Arcane Sun had. To my teenage ears they sounded the business. I can't remember The Oasis guy but coming out of my Metal Hammer years it was pretty much normal to see non-metal looking people playing heavy music- God bless nu metal!
I have no doubt that if Arcane Sun recorded something new now it would be far away from the debut as Feargal Flannery is long gone out of the metal scene, but they could end up doing more in the vein of Fade which is a cool album in its own right. Or they might do something completely different to that as well, which would at least be interesting to hear.
Just in regards to the above point, as I know little about the band: I was at that MA gig and I had heard of the band. Myself, amongst others in attendance were not impressed with their performance. I seem to recall they didn´t have a bass player or something to that effect which just sucked the life out of the sound(maybe that was Abaddon Incarnate?). Either way, neither them nor Abaddon Incarnate covered themselves in glory that night. It just all looked very unprofessional.
I think it was Abaddon who were sans bass now that you mention it. Funny, perhaps if I witnessed the gig today it would have sucked but it was good at the time. I think it was one of my first death metal gigs so perhaps the novelty alone was enough to excite me. Fond memories for me.
Abaddon were baseless that night. Luckily I'd seen both bands a few times prior to that so Abaddon got a pass from me for that one as I knew what they were capable of but it was a crap performance, you're right Pedro - didn't cover themselves in glory, had it been the first time I seen them I would've chuckled at them.
Ah fuck it everyone's a critic type thing, and I don't really mean it that way. I suppose when MA came onstage the massive gulf was apparent but they'd do that to almost any band. Always a tricky thing the whole supporting massive bands.
I do remember wanting AI to finish up because i was so eager to see Morbid angel.The supports were always off to a loser that night such was the anticipation for MA.
Looks like I've a completely different memory of that gig to everyone else. All hail early onset dementia.
It seems Sentinel will be putting the debut album out on vinyl for the first time, and re-issuing the CD as well. Death Dealer from Vomitor is painting a new cover for it. Curious to see how he will interpret the music. A t-shirt with their original logo would be nice to get too. It's high time this local masterpiece got some recognition.
Did they play a Day Of Darkness in Abbeyleix where Primordial headlined? Had the singer a fine head of curly hair?
I remember I picked up a demo on cassette from a band called Moonfog. I played the shit out if it. Great stuff.
Anyway If that was Arcane Sun then I remember them being brilliant that day.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on August 26, 2019, 03:54:58 PM
Looks like I've a completely different memory of that gig to everyone else. All hail early onset dementia.
I enjoyed it too, but I suspect it was due to it all being relatively new to me. At that time you had people going to gigs who were not necessarily fans of a particular band, they attended to show support for the promoter, who had just started out bringing over foreign bands.
Listening to Fade at the minute. Hopefully the reissue of the debut isn't too far off and perhaps a CD or LP of Fade is on the cards too.
I see the debut has gone to press and will be up for pre-order soon. Looking forward to grabbing it 8)
Curious to hear if the new master makes much difference and maybe improves the sound a bit. I have grown accustomed to the quirks of the original version, of course, but still... no harm!
Who's doing it?
Sentinel.
Cool.
Pre-orders are up at Sentinel now. CD and red LP ordered 8)
Hopefully some merch will follow. I've wanted a tshirt with that logo on it for years.
I've been meaning to revisit it with a view to deciding whether to pick one up or not. Haven't heard it in god knows how long.
Nabbed an LP of this too, can't wait to give it a spin. Interesting what was said way back in this thread about this capturing a certain time in the scene and there being a certain magic in the air. I was put onto this band only as a teenager around 2013 and I remember being taken aback by how unique it sounded and distinctly thinking how exciting of a time it must have been in the scene and what shame it was that they never continued etc etc so funnily enough a similar sentiment is shared about this band from some of us younger folk. Fair play to Scobes for getting this done!
To belatedly reply to the above post, and as I was listening to the album today, the local scene in the early 00s (that was when I became involved in it so I'm sure older heads will have another view) felt like it was coming into its own. This album had been released a year or two already but was hard to come by. I can't remember exactly when I bought it, or where from, but it must have been 01 or 02. At that point you had Primordial hitting their stride and beginning to rise in terms of international profile. You also had the first couple of Mourning Beloveth albums that showed a band developing at a rate of knots. Same goes for Abaddon Incarnate. Sometime around then was the 'Transgression' demo from Hexxed which caused a real stir locally. Metal Ireland came along and in those years it was a revelation. Things were really beginning to move on a local level, or that was my impression of the state of play at least. Fun, exciting times.
Long time ago now but can anyone remember did Arcane Sun support Anathema on the Judgement tour in Eamon Dorans??
The CD reissue arrived just now and looks great. Looking forward to giving it a spin tomorrow and hearing how the new master sounds 8)
Quote from: Western Viking on August 09, 2021, 09:37:58 PM
Long time ago now but can anyone remember did Arcane Sun support Anathema on the Judgement tour in Eamon Dorans??
They definitely support Morbid Angel around that time too.
My mate mark higgins played in arcane sun I still see him regularly in our home town,he hasn't drummed in years and such a talent he was
Tell him to GET DE BLEEDIN FINGER OU'!
Quote from: Eoin McLove on August 13, 2021, 11:32:10 PM
Tell him to GET DE BLEEDIN FINGER OU'!
Believe me we've tried
The remastering job was money well spent. I think it smoothes out some of the rough edges and that's to the benefit of the album (despite the fact that I have grown used to living with those edges).
Got the LP in the post this week and it looks and sounds great. Looking forward to seeing what else Sentinel has lined up to resurrect from the old days. I'm not a Cruachan fan in general (although I reviewed Blood on the Black Robe for MI years ago and liked it. There was a good balance between the trad and BM as I recall) but the demo and debut album are at least historically interesting to me even if not all of the ideas hit the spot. I was hoping to grab that reissue but it came and went in the blink of an eye.
I got The Arcane Sun lp recently. Never heard of these guys before but this is fantastic. Still sounds relevant and fresh.
Only seeing this now. It was Geasa that supported Anathema on 12/09/99 in Doran's. Same day as the All-Ireland Hurling Final. Fairly sure they were the only two bands on the bill.
Quote from: Western Viking on August 09, 2021, 09:37:58 PM
Long time ago now but can anyone remember did Arcane Sun support Anathema on the Judgement tour in Eamon Dorans??
Quote from: vinterland on January 09, 2022, 08:52:09 PM
Only seeing this now. It was Geasa that supported Anathema on 12/09/99 in Doran's. Same day as the All-Ireland Hurling Final. Fairly sure they were the only two bands on the bill.
Spot on,i was at that final;and remember debating would i stay up and go to the gig.Cork won,first All Ireland in 9 years at the time,i never made the gig! :laugh:
Cork won 0-13 to 0-12. Got absolutely saturated. Went to gig after drowning sorrows. A great end to an otherwise forgetful day. Made up for it vs Offaly the following year. :)
Quote from: Paul keohane on January 10, 2022, 08:25:55 AM
Quote from: vinterland on January 09, 2022, 08:52:09 PM
Only seeing this now. It was Geasa that supported Anathema on 12/09/99 in Doran's. Same day as the All-Ireland Hurling Final. Fairly sure they were the only two bands on the bill.
Spot on,i was at that final;and remember debating would i stay up and go to the gig.Cork won,first All Ireland in 9 years at the time,i never made the gig! :laugh:
I was at the game also. As a neutral it was fair poor also got drowned. Little we think it was the birth of the greatest ever team to play the game.
Yeah poor game,just desperate for a Cork win,it was 9 years since the last All Ireland win so it was massive for Cork.Little did i know 23 years later it would be 16 and counting :(
Finally united with my pre-order today. Already played it twice. What a unique album! Sounds deadly on vinyl, proper chuffed to have it.
It is unique alright. Of its time in a timeless way, if you get me. It could only have come out of the melting pot of 90s doom, black and death metal (and 80s goth :-X ) yet holds up twenty odd years later.
I recommend revisiting Geasa with the same time frame in mind. While not reaching the same heights, they certainly captured something unique in Angel's Cry that I'm only beginning to fully appreciate.
I had the album on today so now I'm in bed with a book and Fade... A Soundtrack to the Arcane on YouTube. I still remain hopeful that it will eventually be released on CD and vinyl.
Quote from: vinterland on January 09, 2022, 08:52:09 PM
Only seeing this now. It was Geasa that supported Anathema on 12/09/99 in Doran's. Same day as the All-Ireland Hurling Final. Fairly sure they were the only two bands on the bill.
Quote from: Western Viking on August 09, 2021, 09:37:58 PM
Long time ago now but can anyone remember did Arcane Sun support Anathema on the Judgement tour in Eamon Dorans??
Nah that was definitely Arcane Sun that night. Great show, only two bands defo. Ended up watching Anathema's set on the tiny tv at the back bar, just went for Arcane Sun. Wasn't into Anathema at the time but really regret it now, the one and only time I was in the same room as them I was barely paying attention
A member of Geasa signed my concert ticket from the same night. Fairly sure it was Stephen Maher. The Last One on Earth is the one tune I can clearly recall being played (that explosion of chaotic chanting halfway through being particularly memorable). I assumed at the time it was an Asphyx cover. Angel's Cry was only released the previous month so in the era before streaming and Youtube this was for most their first time hearing the album, bar they purchased immediately upon its release.
Listening to the debut again over the past couple of days. I think that Promised (So Many Years Have Passed) is a great end to the album. Kind of bombastic, a bit Enya-ish and dungeon synthy perhaps. The entire album kind of feels like one long movement to me, despite the fact that it has really harsh and fast evil parts next to delicate, atmospheric stuff. It feels really cohesive and maybe borders on the conceptual, dare I say? Finishing up with a quite long song that is all keyboards with minimal percussion and background vocals was a bold move. Works well, though.
This post also constitutes my annual plea for a physical release of Fade.
My memories of this gig is the Anathema lead singer giving out about all the rockers at the gig...
"We have to play some of that old shit..." not meant in a metallica way.
What a goose!
Pure goose
Quote from: KingHostile on September 07, 2023, 06:15:46 PMMy memories of this gig is the Anathema lead singer giving out about all the rockers at the gig...
"We have to play some of that old shit..." not meant in a metallica way.
What a goose!
He did the mocking beating of the chest too
It was good enough gig, I think I still have the ticket.
Also remember Geasa's "Angels Cry" album coming out. I have the CD at home. Destined for bigger things that never happened!!!
Mad Steve and Abaddon Incranate are still going......fair play to him.
Angels Cry only clicked with me in the last year or two despite buying it when it came out. I never liked it for decades but I fucking love it now. Weird. I would love to see that get a nice vinyl release.
QuoteMy memories of this gig is the Anathema lead singer giving out about all the rockers at the gig...
"We have to play some of that old shit..." not meant in a metallica way.
What a goose!
He did the mocking beating of the chest too
That was said in jest. They said they would cover all eras that night and I remember Vinny being blown away by the pit that they got for Sleepless.For me it was the last time they played that earlier material with any amount of sincerity, apart from the 3hr gig they did in the academy many many years later. Now the gig a couple of years later on the back of Fine Day to Exit album was a different story, very snide attitude to that stuff "Here's another stupid old one" etc. A few of us were talking to Danny after that show and he said it was the worst gig they'd done in Dublin but it seemed to be lost on him that their attitude that night played into it, more than happy to blame the crowd.
100% Arcane Sun did the gig in Doran's.
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on September 08, 2023, 09:34:20 AMQuoteMy memories of this gig is the Anathema lead singer giving out about all the rockers at the gig...
"We have to play some of that old shit..." not meant in a metallica way.
What a goose!
He did the mocking beating of the chest too
Now the gig a couple of years later on the back of Fine Day to Exit album was a different story, very snide attitude to that stuff "Here's another stupid old one" etc. A few of us were talking to Danny after that show and he said it was the worst gig they'd done in Dublin but it seemed to be lost on him that their attitude that night played into it, more than happy to blame the crowd.
Was that the gig in TBMC where Vinny was a particularly sandy vagina with the lighting man? Such a disappointing gig for 2 reasons, 1) people at the back were chatting away loudly like it was just a pub they were in, and 2) The band acted like they didn't want to be there from the opening notes of the gig.
Quoteas that the gig in TBMC where Vinny was a particularly sandy vagina with the lighting man? Such a disappointing gig for 2 reasons, 1) people at the back were chatting away loudly like it was just a pub they were in, and 2) The band acted like they didn't want to be there from the opening notes of the gig
That's the one!
Maybe an Anathema thread is needed...
I definitely got the impression in later years that Danny especially looked more than a bit irritated when it came to playing the older stuff. Even at the gig in the Academy he looked like it was an inconvenience for him to be there. The rest of the band on the other hand were really into it.
Anathema are spastics. Well one of them anyway
In the spirit of the thread though I'll have to check out the arcane sun album. I've never heard a note of it.
It's fucking great. A unique experience, or at least I have never heard an album quite like it. But let's not derail the Shit Anathema Gig thread ;)
Yes I like that Arcane Sun a lot too. It's a trip.
I wasn't at the Anathema gig unfortunately.
That gig in the Academy where they did all eras of their material was better than i expected.Darren white really did justice to the old tracks!
Quote from: Paul keohane on September 08, 2023, 03:08:15 PMThat gig in the Academy where they did all eras of their material was better than i expected.Darren white really did justice to the old tracks!
I regret not going to that gig. His vocals on Serenades are great.
That Anthema gig where they played all the old stuff was brilliant,appartently DC's idea.I always got that vibe too he wasnt into the old stuff anymore either.
Speaking of Anathema are they done as a band ?
That weather systems band looks to be just DC,theres some chatter about that on the Anathema fans page which I hope isnt true.
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on September 09, 2023, 07:46:18 AMSpeaking of Anathema are they done as a band ?
That weather systems band looks to be just DC,theres some chatter about that on the Anathema fans page which I hope isnt true.
They are done yeah, I am also on that Anathema Fans page on FB so you have probably seen the same stuff about why. Weather Systems (his band not the album) is also a proven scam, don't go near it.
They are done yeah, I am also on that Anathema Fans page on FB so you have probably seen the same stuff about why. Weather Systems (his band not the album) is also a proven scam, don't go near it.
[/quote]
How is it q scam? curiosity here! I got off the "Anathema" train at the "Judgement" stop.
Vinny I think, was a bit in love with himself. On an artist journey (very of the time), or maybe just trend hopping with the Metallica / Paradise Lost we are not metal anymore "hard rock / alternative" identification of the time.... again very of the time!
In the age of Nevermore and Death...... go alternative..... yeah go wan!
Wait I think my knuckles dragged on the ground there for a second..... I'll smash a beer off my head! whooooo haaaaa
Quote from: KingHostile on September 09, 2023, 11:05:31 AMHow is it q scam? curiosity here! I got off the "Anathema" train at the "Judgement" stop.
There's loads to it and it is worth looking up if you're inclined but long story short - he has taken shit tons in donations to fund an album and has released nothing beyond a few Anathema tunes played solo on acoustic recorded into his phone. There's way way more to it but it is all fiddly odds and ends that made people figure out he was planning nothing and releasing nothing.
It's run by some random Slovakian lad Daniel Ziak.
As has been mentioned there was threats of an album materialising in the beginning but that's all stopped, he's also now disabled the option for people to comment on any of the posts on random covers they put up as they're still actively collecting money via the go fund me.
That's also the second go fund me from Anathema.I think Anathema the band asked for help the first time during covid then this weather systems go fund me was setup.
I'd have much preferred he use the money towards getting the mental health he needed than using the money for a side project band..
Wow!!!!! astounding!
Thats quiet a story..... unbelievable!
What the fucking fuck?
Maybe he needed a new sauna?
Duncan is gearing up to release a re-recording of the songs he wrote on Alternative 4, which is fairly pointless I think but I happened to see a lot of comments about Danny Cavanagh in the post, Duncan mentioned controversy too - didn't exactly quell the rumours, that there's a more sinister reason behind the band abruptly quitting.
I can safely say I'm done with them but no questions about the quality of their discography up to and including Judgement.
I think their last decent album was A Natural Disaster but I haven't liked anything since then.
Obviously Judgement is the winner as well.
Yer man sounds like a right handicap as well