ARCANA "The New Light" CD Reviews

From the Side-Line Magazine (Belgium)
Arcana's newest release, "The New Light," is a musical chronicle of the decade since the band's inception, from 1994 to 2004. Filled with morose beauty, this collectible album takes the listener on the beguiling journey of Peter Bjärgö's musical evolution. The release contains all new material from exclusive unreleased early demo tracks to alternative recordings, as well as two new tracks. Exquisitely packaged in a special tall digipack, the release comes complete with a full-colour glossy booklet containing photos taken by Peter and Ia Bjärgö, along with Peter's detailed commentary about each track. For those unfamiliar with Arcana, the music is achingly beautiful and lush, filled with sweeping orchestral arrangements, driving percussion and majestic horns and bells - neoclassical with eastern and ambient influences. For collectors and newbies alike, don't miss-out on this release. (j:9) jules.

From the Gothic Paradise webzine (U.S.A)
Shortly after the release of Inner Pale Sun just a year ago, we're presented with a great milestone album celebrating their decade of existance as Arcana.  I'll first start with the physical appearance of this masterpiece.  Like many before, we are presented with more than just a simple jewel case and small booklet.  With this release we're given a DVD-sized cardboard digi-pack with a nice booklet containing insights from Peter on each of the 11 tracks presented.  As impressive as the art and packaging is, it just barely matches the inner beauty of the majestic music on the CD. For those familiar with the previous releases from this group this is a welcome addition to everything we already have.  Favorite tracks have been remastered or have had alternate recordings done and the inclusion of unreleased demos are a pleasant addition as well. The production of the unreleased demos is surprisingly well done, as sometimes the inclusion of demos usually means the quality is less than what was acceptable for the albums being released at the time.  But after the short intro "The Opening", we're immediately bombarded with the dark, brooding and powerful "Reminiscence" and "Source of Light", both previously unreleased demos. Both of these are a testament to the remarkable music that is always released by this group.
Jump a few tracks ahead over more perfectly acceptable and beautiful tracks and you encounter previously released masterpieces redone as alternate recordings.  Of the three of these tracks previously released, only one has appeared on a previous album, so they're still quite rare.  My favorite track from this group has always been "Like Statues in the Garden of Dreaming" and to hear this new rendition was a definite treat. The original dark, emotional feelings are still there, but there are slight differences in the instrumentation used and it becomes slightly more dreamy and not quite so brooding and cold. The final two tracks are new and included only on this release.  "Wings of Gabriel" take us into the new sound that we'll probably hear more of as they experiment more with the Arabic sounds.  Hopefully we'll soon find out more and as stated in the recent interview with Peter, we look forward to another 10 years of great releases.
Rating: 5/5

From the Ikonen Magazine (Germany)
Als vorläufiger Höhepunkt bei Cyclic Law ist wohl die gerade erschienene CD "A New Light" der schwedischer Sakralelektroniker Peter Bjärgö von Arcana gedacht. Im großformatigen Digipak, mit 8-seitigem farbigem Beiheft präsentiert sich Arcana hier mit einer Jubiläums-Zusammenstellung von alternativen und raren Stücken von 1994 bis 2004. Diese Stücke schöpfen das gesamte Spektrum des Projektes aus: Vom sakralen Männergesang bis zur glasklaren Frauenstimme, von mittelalterlichen bis hin zu asiatischen Instrumenten, von Darkambientpassagen bis hin zu eingängigen Melodien findet man hier ein hervorragendes Beispiel für das, was man wunderbar unter 'Gothic' subsummieren könnte, wenn dieser Begriff nicht längst für mittelmäßige Elektrobands reserviert wäre. Arcana führen einen Sound fort, den seit den frühen Dead Can Dance der "Serpent's Egg"-Phase niemand mehr erreicht hat. Und das ist durchweg positiv gemeint: Bjärgö hat sorgsam die düstersten Elemente der legendären Australier weiterentwickelt und ihnen seinen eigenen Dreh verliehen. Ästhetisch und klanglich ist diese CD - obwohl es sich nicht um ein Konzeptalbum handelt - durchaus als hervorragend zu bezeichnen.
Cyclic Law hat nach einigen Ambient-Veröffentlichungen bereits mit Sofia einen schwedischen Neoklassik-Act herausgebracht und erweitert mit Arcana weiterhin das Spektrum. Man kann gespannt sein, welche mythischen Tiefen sich (nach zyklischem Gesetz) hier noch auftun.
Marcus Stiglegger
 
From the Maelstrom webzine (U.S.A)
Peter Bjärgö, the mastermind behind the lush wonder that is Arcana, has been enticing a big crowd with a steady stream of albums that made you wonder if he used to be a romantic English garden in a previous life. It sounds silly perhaps, but every fan of Arcana knows what I am talking about. The New Light is an amazing collection of unreleased demos, alternate recordings and new material. Some songs dating back from 1994, and even one that is the first ever song recorded by Arcana. "Reminiscence," a song that for Bjärgö is closely tied with the ferry boat accident in Estonia in '94, is just one of the fine examples of songs you might have never heard before. And all of it comes with great little liner notes in the extremely well done booklet and packaging; an oversized hardboard booklet looking thing, with CD and separate booklet inside, comes in a earthy green with pretty pictures of gardens.
The highlight of the album is "Source of Light," already present on the first Arcana album, but here is the version that was sent to CMI as a demo, without female vocals. It includes two other songs that did make it on the demo but not on the album. But the sounds are so representative of what Arcana is all about that you would have to look hard to find a song not to like. A blindfold buy for the true fan because it has some amazing unreleased songs, a true recommendation for those that are not yet aware of Arcana but are in need of some romantic, sometimes sad, but always extremely beautiful music. (8.9/10)

From the kuolleen musiikin yhdistys webzine (Finland)
The New Light is Arcana´s first release outside Cold Meat Industry. The record is a 10-year jubileum release, presenting older unpublished material like demos and alternative versions of released songs. The material spans Arcana´s entire career, from 1994 to the newest material from 2003. The album is packaged in a tall digipack, which has almost become a trademark for the Cyclic Law label.
Amongst other things the album includes the first written Arcana song ever, Reminiscence, which is still mostly synth, but a strong a beautiful piece nevertheless – something which would have fit perfectly on the debut, Dark Age of Reason. The following three tracks originalle comprised Arcana´s first demo to CMI, and are in the same style. The record contains three brand new tracks, some of which work brilliantly, and some not at all. The Opening track, suitably called The Opening, is most excellent, thanks to its almost tangible guitar sound (comparable to Icons, one the Pearls on the latest Inner Pale Sun album). Through the Grey Horizon again completely fails to impress or affect me and feels, especially due to its worn out synth sounds, like something heard too many times before. Wings of Gabriel, an experiment with an "arabic" sound, works well, although stylistically it takes Arcana even closer to Dead Can Dance than before. The true pearl on the album, however, is an odd track from 1998 named Lament, which, in all its simplicity – only one slow, unchanging melody and Peter´s emotional voice – really touches me time after time. That is Arcana at its best. The compilation brings out both the strengths and weaknesses of Arcana: the strengths being Peter Bjärgö´s unique capability to express emotion through his voice, and also the magnificent sound of the real instruments used on the later recordings. There in lies also the weakness: this proves well how during 10 years Arcana has not changed or developed nearly as much as it would have had potential for. Especially leaning too heavily on synths anchors Arcana into the past, whereas real, fresh new sound sources bring new strength. The New Light offers much interesting listening for friends of Arcana. But for those less acquainted with the band I would recommend their actual albums first. -John Björkman / www.kuolleenmusiikinyhdistys.net

From the Esperpentos webzine (Spain)
"The New Light" is the title chosen by Peter Bjärgö for the commemoration album to the ten years of his mythical project Arcana. For its edition he chose to do it through a collaboration between his own label, Erebus Odora, and the Canadian Cyclic Law, by which already it published, "Deconstruction of the World", of its parallel project Sophia. For this album, Peter has carefully selected unreleased tracks and alternative versions. In the beautiful A5 format book that includes the album, Peter explain us each track. "The Opening" opens the album, a intro conceived for the concerts. The second track, "Reminiscence", is the first song recorded as Arcana. An instrumental track that shows the quality of the romantic atmospheres of Arcana since the begining.
The three following tracks are from one demo of 1994, first demo that Peter sent to Cold Meat Industry. "Source of Light" is the primitive version (without feminine voices) of the track that soon would appear in the first album of Arcana, "Dark Age of Reason" (1996), and it has not lower quality than the definitive version. "Fade Away" and "Wound" show a primitive style of Arcana, mainly in the percussion, that his fans will enjoy. It's natural that Karmanik interested by Arcana. The sixth one, titled "Lament", is composed in 1998, after its second and famous disc, "Cantar de Procella" (1997). In the track we can listen to a Peter's voice that was growing in quality. "Prophecy of the Inevitable" is recorded in 1998 too. We can enjoy this alternative version of the track made for the Motherdance Compilation. A more grandiloquent track than its predecessor in the album. The two following ones are two alternative versions also. First, of the intro of miniCD "Isabel" (1999), "Eclipse of the Soul", and the second, of an old track: "Like Statues in the Garden of Dreaming", appeared in "Dark Age of Reason". This last one was done for a performance in the Wave Gotik Treffen of 2003. Its duration was extended something, the old ending in fade out was removed and Peter repeats the choir that appeared when finalizing the lyrics in the old version. The tenth one, titled "Through the Horizons Congregation", was composed after the release of the album "Inner Pale Sun" (2002). A beautiful piece where Peter shows an magnificent voice.
And, to close the album, the best track of the compilation. "Wings of Gabriel" is a new song where Arcana explores new lands in his sound. Drinking from the east and the Arab essences, this song is a great delight. A sound to let fly the mind. I think that it's obligatory to buy or to listen at least this "The New Light" to listen to great song. I hope that Mr. Bjärgö explorer deeper this new sound in a next album.
An album for fans of Arcana, they will enjoy each minute of this good selection of songs. And those ones that aren't fans of this swedish band I do not know what you are waiting for....

From the Obskure webzine (France)
"The new light". Titre annonciateur de l’introduction d’Arcana, le mythique projet de Peter Bjärgö, dans l’écurie du fantastique label canadien Cyclic Law. Une nouvelle ère s’ouvre, assurément, comme tendait à le montrer le dernier opus paru chez CMI. Alors, Bjärgö fait son bilan, tire les comptes. Et que de beauté, mon Dieu. Que de force dans cette musique intemporelle, cette vision mystique. Cette collection d’inédits composés entre 1994 (année très présente sur le disque) laisse percer le côté le plus masculin d’Arcana : c’est la voix de Peter qui monopolise l’ensemble de ces démos, versions alternatives et autres inédits - ces derniers s’avérant très récents, puisqu’en provenance de l’année 2003. Bjärgö n’a pas son pareil pour recréer la tension orchestrale. Et c’est bien ce qui fait de son œuvre l’un des rares ensembles issus des scènes "dark" qui puisse endosser sans complexe - ni forcément… envie - la filiation "Dead Can Dance". Car ces travaux n’ont beau rester que des épreuves laissées un temps de côté par l’homme, elles n’en demeurent pas moins de véritables beautés, transfigurant presque le principe de "The new light" par la cohérence d’un VERITABLE album. Superbement présentée (un box en forme de DVD comprenant un livret haut et des notes de Bjärgö), cette collection d’inédits reste un moyen comme un autre de découvrir les penchants les plus sombres de l’écriture d’un homme qui se fit appeler autrefois Pettersson, et dont les effluves romantiques baignent aujourd’hui de lumière le chemin des esprits égarés. Effarant de poésie, effrayant de puissance.
From the Guts Of Darkness webzine (France)
Le nouvel opus d'Arcana est une célébration des 10 ans d'activités du projet de Peter Bjärgo/Petersson, certainement l'un des épigones de Dead Can Dance les plus talentueux, mêlant ambiances médiévales sublimées et lyrisme romantique à la fois sombre et lumineux . S'associant avec son camarade Frédéric Arbour du label québécois Cyclic Law (dont c'est ici la 10ème sortie !), avec qui il collabore depuis quelques temps déjà (production, mastering, sortie du dernier Sophia), Peter s'affranchit définitivement de l''écurie' Cold Meat Industry et ouvre de nouveaux horizons pour son activité artistique en se concentrant sur sa propre structure (Erebus Odora, label-studio). Cette compilation, loin d'être un 'best of' des plus banals, se révèle une mine à raretés et à nouveautés. En effet, de ce que vous connaissez déjà des suédois vous ne retrouverez que 4 morceaux apparaissant sur les sorties précédentes ('Eclipse of the soul', Like statues...', 'Source of light') et des compilations ('Prophecy of the inevitable') mais dans des versions différentes. Le reste se compose de démos inédites : 'Source of light', 'Fade away' et 'Wound', premiers travaux qui furent envoyés à CMI et qui valèrent à Arcana de devenir l'un des plus beaux fleurons du label nordique) ; 'The opening' est un court instrumental destiné à ouvrir les performances scéniques, 'Reminiscence' et 'Lament' sont entièrement inédits. On retiendra également les nouveaux 'Through the grey horizon' (composé peu après 'Inner pale sun') et 'Wings of Gabriel', qui incorpore des éléments orientaux et arabisants que DCD eux-mêmes auraient su apprécier à leur juste valeur. Une couleur nouvelle pour Arcana qui annonce peut-être une évolution plus significative comparée à celle qui lie les autres albums. Le livret est garni en photos et en explications de Peter sur l'origine et la génèse des titres composant 'The new light'. Le packaging, un digipack format A5, est quant à lui est tout simplement superbe, une tradition 'Cyclic Law' bien entendu. Une bien belle sortie en collaboration, tant du point de vue esthétique que musical. Si vous aviez déjà acquis les oeuvres précédentes, vous ferez sans hésitation de même pour 'The new light', en attendant la version cd du dernier album de Sophia, prévue pour la rentrée.

From the Aural Pressure webzine (U.K.)
How to begin when describing one of the most essential releases of the year? Perhaps the simply sublime packaging, as expected from Cyclic Law? Perhaps the thrill of brand new and unreleased Arcana material? Perhaps the closing of a decade and dawning of a new in the world of one of the greatest acts to exist today. "The New Light" is a beauty to behold aesthetically and musically. It encapsulates the last 10 years of Arcana in one magnificent place. The classic, enchanting themes are all here, and from 'The Opening' to 'Wings of Gabriel' the music feels absolutely timeless. The style, for those unaware, is a mix of neoclassical and mournful dark ambient themes with stunning strings and Peter's voice to round the whole process off. For those who loved 'Inner Pale Sun', this is unquestionably your next essential purchase. Each song here is in some way new: unreleased demos, alternate recordings and brand new writing are included. 'Reminiscence' was the first ever Arcana track recorded back in 1994 and is a very personal song to Peter based on an Estonian ferry tragedy in Eskilstuna. The first demo ever sent to CMI is included ('Source of Light', 'Fade Away' and 'Wound'), as are tracks made for live performances throughout the career of Arcana. 'Wings of Gabriel' is the newest song on the album having been penned this year. Peter says it is one of his favourites and explores a rich arabic sound which, by the statement which accompanies, hints the direction Arcana will travel in the near future. My instantly favourite track is 'Source of Light' but at a mere 2:25 it really leaves you begging for more.
The package itself contains a glossy booklet detailing Arcana's discography, a step-by-step guide to each song on the album by Peter Bjärgö himself, a mention of everyone involved in Arcana over the last decade and the obligatory thank you note to close. You'd be foolish to miss out on this, collector or virgin to Arcana.

From the Gothtronic webzine (Holland)
To celebrate the 10 year existance of the Arcana project, Peter Bjargo decided to release a anniversary edition cd with rare en previously unreleased material spannning the entire first Arcana decade from 1994 to 2004. The New Light is a joint release of the label Erebus Odora of peter Bjargo himself, and the Canadian label Cyclic Law. ‘When you look at the beautiful designed A5 gatefold artwork of this cd you can notice how perfectly it reflects the romantic atmosphere of the music, inspired by nature. The tracks on this cd evolve in perfect harmony. The tracklist has been compiled with care and attention. The first track is named ‘The Opening’ and is a track that has been made specially to serve as an intro for live concerts. ‘Reminiscence’ is the first track ever recorded as Arcana. This track hs been written in the time the catastrophy with the Estonian ferry took place, and for Peter Bjargo this track will always be connected to this atmosphere of grief of that moment. . ‘Source of Light’, ‘Fade Away’ and ‘Wound’ are the tracks of the first demo, which Peter sent to Cold meat Industry and which resulted in a record deal. Of these tracks only ‘Source of Light’ made it to the cd, with female vocals added to it. ‘Lament’ is a demo recording from 1998. ‘Prophecy of the Inevitable’ at first was written for a Motherdance compilation. ‘Eclipse of the Soul’ is one of Peter’s own favorite tracks. With this recording the choir is more full than on the previous recording. After this track, it’s time for my personal favorite track on this compilation cd, ‘Like Statues in the Garden of Dreaming’, which was written for a live performance at the WGT in 2003. Musically this track is a bit more light as often is the case with Arcana, and all of a sudden visions of Dead Can Dance apear, while remaining a typical Arcana track. ‘Through the Grey Horizon’ lies close to the atmosphere of the tracks of ‘Inner Pale Sun’. ‘Wings of Gabriel’ finally, is a splendid composition with Arabic influences. Actually, it would be nice if Arcana will explore these regions some more as this sounds fantastic. Finally, i would like to state that Peter has developed tremendously as a vocalist as he uses his voice more prominently, which is very positive!