ALBUM REVIEW: Transitions – Arche
In early Greek philosophy the word arche roughly translates as “something that was in the beginning”. Whilst this enigmatic definition will certainly have you scratching your head, it is the perfect description for the music made by Finnish band of the same name. Emerging from the shadows of Tampere, located in the western part of Finland, ARCHE are an enigmatic duo that craft beautifully ethereal soundscapes with heavier influences effortlessly integrated through masterful transitions. Having only independently released a single EP in their time as a band, which was 2015’s Undercurrents, they return from the depths of Finland with their debut album, the stunningly majestic and melancholic Transitions.
The most striking thing about Transitions, and ARCHE’s sound overall, is how little it overindulges in the stereotypical melodrama surrounding funeral and atmospheric doom. With quiet dignity the band’s highly perceptive music expresses itself with a masterful patience, taking time to build beautiful soundscapes that allow the evocative melodies to grow, bloom and flourish like the petals of a black rose. Your imagination conjures up imagery of a foggy dusk, when the low hanging clouds choke the trees and you’re walking through landscapes shrouded in shadow. This intense and mysterious darkness has an innate beauty in itself.
ARCHE have perfectly balanced and effortlessly integrated melancholic acoustics with foreboding heaviness. Everything is in transition, and this transcends the album as each song integrates with the other. At its core is a consciousness, with all the complex emotions of having a pensive mind and forlorn heart. While it stays slow throughout, the gradual highs and lows chronicle our journey through life, and it approaches it with a tentative care. As a result of this mindful, passionate songwriting, deeply embedded in this all is a sincerity and sentimentality that cannot be described justly in words, but you can feel it with every solemn note.
One thing that ARCHE do exceedingly well is melody. Despite the massive, distorted chord drones and harsh vocals, this band move you. Capturing your soul with an ethereal and celestial beauty, you feel inexplicably moved by the gentle and magical guitar playing from Eppe Kuismin. This is especially so in Transition, where it is paired with melancholic synths and atmospheric drones. It truly feels like you are moving through a different phase of life, possibly a particularly painful part as the music encourages you to take a step back and deeply reflect. The reverb-soaked and layered vocals also take on a spiritual feel that provokes a strong emotional resonance as the hairs on your neck stand on end, particularly in In A Solace Light. Even when the powerful drums of Ville Raittila appear, there is still an awe inspiring majesty to the album; as they drive the song forward their presence keeps the lofty, floating melodies grounded. Everything seems to fit into the same cavernous space, and as the notes and drones reverberate off of the metaphorical cavern walls you are enveloped in the echoes of overwhelming emotion.
Transitions opens with the nearly 16-minute epic Reverential Silence, which is the darkest song on the album. Here synth drones clash with discordant distortion, creating a gloomy atmosphere before being uplifted by gentle acoustic melodies. The song seamlessly shifts between the two mediums of gigantic distorted riffs and gentle atmospheric melodies; nothing feels forced and each element transitions into the other with no clashing and it is truly masterful how ARCHE have composed the song – a testament to their songwriting.
Reverential Silence silently fades into Transition which is predominantly lead by the mystical sounds of Kuismin’s acoustic and layered synths. It is a dreamy song, but not in the surreal way – it’s one of those vivid dreams that you convince yourself that you’re living through. You can imagine wandering across a foggy landscape, with no other humans, like the ghosts adorning the album cover you’re waiting for someone to free you. Until then you’re left with your own thoughts. In A Solace Light wastes no time in reintroducing the gigantic doom riffs, yet there is a glimmer of optimism in them because they move away from the heavy dissonance and begin to ascend throughout the song. With gloriously triumphant melodies from the guitar and vocals, the track utilises the same dynamic shifts as Reverential Silence but makes them grander, as a result creating a bigger impact and a deeper emotional response.
It is fair to say ARCHE are an unheralded gem within the global doom scene. With such diligence to their music, Transitions is a deeply artistic and immersive album. Staying away from the stereotypical melodrama, ARCHE are masters at expressing intense emotions with a quiet dignity and beautiful songcraft.
Rating: 8/10
Transitions is set for release on December 16th via Transcending Obscurity Records.
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