Аркона - Kob' (2023)

Hailing from Russia, Akrona has been one of the most consistent and intense Pagan Metal bands in the last few years. Thanks to their front-woman Masha Arkhipova intense live performances and a cohesive musical core, the band has gained worldwide acclaim. With “Kob'” the band takes a darker and more sinister tone with their music and we love it! Clocking in at 60 minutes, this release certainly broadens the band’s musical horizons while delivering some of their signature intensity.

Opening with the highly atmospheric “Izrechenie. Nachalo”, the album sets a very somber and hypnotic vibe. On the album title track we are eased into some sinister Black Metal riffs that quickly transform into Buzrum-esque (‘Filosofem’ era) passages. The mood is definitely more restrained at moments, showcasing the band’s ability to craft atmospheric and more tempered passages while still crafting intense tracks like “Ydi”, “Ugasaya”, and “Mor”.

We are particularly big fans of the mixing of clean and harsh vocals alongside eerie atmospherics, in particular on Enslaved-esque pieces like “Na zakate bagrovogo solntsa”. Our favorite track has to be the punishing “Razryvaya plot' ot bezyskhodnosti bytiya” with its very Pagan/Folk Metal edge and crafty tempo changes. The band’s emotionally charged compositions are quite palpable in this release, unleashing a very emotionally charged musical experience.

As a whole, “Kob'” is a very powerful and emotionally charged release that is full of trance-inducing atmospherics and yet a hefty dose of aggression and heaviness. While fans of the more intense side of the band might be caught off guard with this one, the release needs more than a few spins to be fully digested and enjoyed. However, from the Pagan Metal side of things, this release is one of the best we have heard in a long time as it perfectly blends musically with tempo and emotion.

Label: Napalm Records

Release: June 16th, 2023

Genre: Pagan Metal

Country: Russia