“Of all the places to discover an awesome Metal band I never expected it to be Namibia, South Afrika.
An email from the band prompted me towards their website where I was introduced to such incredible, catchy and diverse Heavy Metal sounds that I must give highest praise to right now. I was hooked right away from the opening track of the album all the way to the end. Simply put, this album rules. They take a traditional Metal framework and construct into that a little Gothic influence (in one of the vocal styles) and some Progressive elements. The main focus is straightforward Heavy Metal with some of the finest guitar riffs I have heard. I´m telling you this band is amazing and well worth checking out ! From the various unique vocals to the brilliant MAIDENesque guitar leads they will hook you and reel you right in. A brilliant and fresh band that follow their own path.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.”
—
- Skyklad, October 28th, 2002 – Encyclopaedia Metallum
"One of the best bands on the New Breed Compilation"
—
Wickedrock, South African Internet Zine
"Incredible, catchy and diverse Heavy Metal, sounds that I must give highest praise to right now. I was hooked right away from the opening track of the album all the way to the end. Simply put, this album rules. brilliant and fresh band that follow their own path."
—
Metalgospel - Internet Zine/Britain
“Attention fans of exotic metal. The 5-piece, ARCANA XXII, are from Windhoek, Namibia. We don't even have to start discussing the rock 'n roll infrastructure of that country and have to live with the somewhat dated sound quality (almost like old NWOBHM stuff). If you can tolerate that you will be rewarded with 10 very original songs that lean towards the abovementioned musical genre and can roughly be described as mix between Praying Mantis and Samson, seasoned with a touch of Amorphis and the dark melodies of Sentenced. Hence, hard and fluent rock with many psychedelic nuances and a strong cosmopolitan flair. 25DM (incl. postage and packaging) is a fair price for an album by 5 ambitious musicians, who have the ability to compete in the European and American rockscene. Demo of the Month.”
—
Andreas Schöwe, Metal Hammer Magazine, Germany
"I didn't know metal existed in Namibia", said Frank Albrecht, when he passed me the CD by ARCANA XXII. "I didn't even know they have electricity.", he added with a grin. ARCANA have proven us wrong. The Band was founded in 1997 in Windhoek and "Fallen from grace" is their debut. Although Namibia is situated in the very south of Africa, we can't expect jungle metal a la Tribe after Tribe. On the contrary. The 5 members produce a sound that's in line with European, melodic Power Metal. Only the track "Darkland" is a vicious, creeping Doomsong. ARCANA XXII are by no means something you've heard before. Rating: 8,5/10"
—
Stefan Glas, Rock Hard Magazine, Germany
"The songs may need more then one spin to discover them at all, but it's worth spending the time! These days you find so many copycats, that it's nice to get something new. They sound fresh."
—
Schweres Metall, Internet Magazine, Germany
"The truth is that we don't get to see very often bands from Namibia playing metal and the truth is that these guys deserve your attention not only because they come from a far away land in Africa. They deserve your attention because their classic 80s metal is actually good. Very good."
—
Agelos - Metal Magazine, Italy
"I was hooked right away from the opening track of the album all the way to the end. Simply put,this album rules. They take a traditional Metal framework and construct into that a little Gothic influence and some Progressive elements. The main focus is straightforward Heavy Metal with some of the finest guitar riffs I have heard. I´m telling you this band is amazing and well worth checking out !"
—
Metal Observer - Internet Magazine, Germany
Comments
Thanks for the support! Aleister FAUST's official Website: www.deathmetal.it Facebook: www.facebook.com/faustpgd MySpace: www.myspace.com/faustband2 Reverbnation:...
Dec 10