Arkona: The Merrow 9/26/16

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I cannot remember how I came across this pagan/folk metal band from Russia.  I only know that as soon as I heard the song, “Лица бессмертных богов” (Faces of Immortal Gods) off the 2009 album Goi, Rode, Goi!, I was completely hooked. Fronted by Masha Scream, a force of nature who somehow does both the singing and growling, Arkona mixes medieval folk melodies and instrumentation along with crushing heavy metal.  The band has found the perfect combination of melodic clean vocals with just the right amount of black metal growling.  And while many European bands in related genres choose to sing in English to broaden their appeal, all of Arkona’s lyrics, which are based around Russian folklore and Slavic mythology, are in their native language . The band itself is named after the last pagan Slavic city-state.

Arkona
Arkona

Though they were touring in support of their excellent 2014 LP, Yav, the band played songs from throughout their catalog.  Highlights included the set opener of “Yav”, as well as “Goi-Rode-Goi!”, “Slovo” and the encore track, which was an epic version of “Yarilo”.    And let me tell you – this was one really loud fucking show! Even after the three opening acts – Helsott, The Dread Crew of Oddwood, and Heidevolk (Netherlands)softened us up- Arkona still managed to pummel us for another 70 minutes!

Here’s a video I took of “Yarilo” that night.

Arkona
Arkona

The opening bands that night worked us over pretty good.  First up was Helsott , a pagan/black-metal band from here in Southern California.  Following them, after a short break to let our ears heal a bit, was The Dread Crew of Oddwood – an acoustic pirate-metal band (they call it “Hard Mahogany”!) from right here in San Diego.  The third act, Heidevolk from the Netherlands, was another pagan/folk-metal group that featured two lead guitars and two singers.

Record Store Day 2014

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I spent most of this day celebrating Record Store Day.  First I went to Lou’s Records in Encinitas.  They are quite organized for the event. Folks usually start forming a line around 7:30am and at 9am Lou himself comes out and hands out numbers.  I arrived right at 9am and was #72.  Then when the store opens at 10am the staff start calling up customers in order and each person gets to pick up to 5 RSD releases.

By the time my turn came a few of my picks were gone but I still got some great records:

  • Jimmy Page & the Black Crowes – Live at the Greek
  • Of Montreal – Satanic Panic in the Attic
  • Man Man – The Man in a Blue Turban with a Face
  • Tame Impala – Live Versions
  • Garbage & Brody Dalle – Girls Talk 

Next stop was Spin Records in Carlsbad since I wasn’t going to wait all the way through the line again to get more records.  Plus, it isn’t really Record Store Day unless you go to at least two stores!!

I got some great records there as well:

  • Frightened Rabbit – Live From Criminal Records
  • Grant Hart – Every Everything
  • Built to Spill – Ultimate Alternative Wavers
  • Tears for Fears – Ready Boy & Girls?
  • Opeth – Watershed

Then it was time to head back down to Lou’s to see what else might still be available.  I was surprised to find both the Pixies and Flaming Lips records and this Shocking Blue 7″ was a real bonus.

  • Shocking Blue – Send Me a Postcard
  • Flaming Lips – 7 Skies H3
  • Katatonia – Kocytean
  • Pixies – Indie CIndy

Now comes the fun part – listening!

Colored Vinyl

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During this vinyl resurgence it is common to find records with all sorts of colors and patterns. However, back in the day it was pretty rare for record companies to put these out and when they did they were fairly limited editions. So these records aren’t that easy to track down, especially in mint condition. All of these LP’s are first editions, play flawlessly and have covers that appear to be brand new.

  • The Beatles: ‘62 – ’66 & ’67 – ’70 / USA – Capital (1978)
  • Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here / Holland – EMI/Bovema (1975)
  • Pink Floyd: Animals / Holland – EMI/Bovema (1977)
  • Rolling Stones: Some Girls / Holland – Rolling Stones Records (1978)
  • The Who: Who Are You / USA – MCA Records (1978)
  • The Clash: London Calling / UK – CBS (1979)
  • Starz: Violation / USA – Capital Records (1977)

Ground Zero

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When I was about 14 my grandmother took me to Kresge’s Department Store in San Diego to purchase my first records. I had just just come back from a trip to visit family in Massachusetts where my cousin Steve turned me on to all this great rock ‘n roll music. Before that I had been listening mostly to pop songs on the AM dial. On that trip to Kresge’s I bought: Alice Cooper’s Billion Dollar Babies, Black Sabbath’sParanoid and the Beatles’Blue Album ‘67 -‘70. That was ground zero for me and even with my subsequent trips through all the different styles of rock, these are still among my favorite albums.

Unfortunately I purged much of my vinyl collection with the advent of the CD. Whenever I replaced a record with a CD I would get rid of the vinyl. What a dumbass! So back in 2007  I was in Lou’s Records in Encinitas to replace a messed up CD of Paranoid when the clerk, Jeremy, told me they had just got in a remaster/reissue 180 gram LP of the album. It had never occurred to me to get the album on vinyl as my turntable was in a box in the garage. So of course I bought the LP just like he suggested, went home and unpacked my turnable, got it all plugged in and listened to War Pigs roar out of the speakers. And that was that. Within a month I had a new turntable, amplifier and pre-amp to get the best sound I could out of those grooves.

I’m not sure what really pushed me back to vinyl (besides Jeremy). I imagine there is an aspect of nostalgia. I do know that I always enjoyed album cover art and the ritual of opening up a new LP for the first time.That feeling is diminished with the compact disc. And now there is talk that the CD is on its way out and all we’ll be left with are MP3’s or the cloud? No thanks.

As for these records: I tracked down the Red and Blue albums back in 2008. These are 1978 limited edition pressings on colored vinyl. Both are in virtually mint condition.

I found this 1973 first edition of Billion Dollar Babies also in 2008 as well – it was still unopened in its original shrink-wrap. It is in pristene conditon with the $1,000,000,000 bill and all trading cards intact.

The Paranoid LP is the 180g reissue I purchased due to Jeremy’s recommendation. I give him full credit for reviving my interest in vinyl records.