ARKONA
Lepta
(Vic Records)
41:35min

Deeply impressed by their great debut “Vozhrozhdenie” I was expecting nothing less than a further powerful release from the new Pagan Metal hope ARKONA. But even if we are still talking about an acceptable release from the Russian warrior princess Scream & Co their second album is without doubt not a release worth to be called a masterpiece. “Lepta” was recorded in 2004 shortly after the release of their debut but to talk in the pagan way of life it seems that the band had become tired of war and bloodshed and had chosen the more relaxed camp fire atmosphere as source of inspiration for their second strike. The basis elements are still there (Russian lyrics and great keys) but the major musical difference is the reduced aggression level. Due to the fact that we are talking about a Metal album it’s one of the essential points (the heart and soul of every album) and the album is passing by without nearly any remarkable moment. Maybe I have to admit that the great debut is quality wise not easy to exceed but if you compare “Lepta” with “Vozhrozhdenie” the conclusion will be the same as the comparison of “Load” / “Reload” to “And Justice For All” and / or “Master Of Puppets” years ago. www.vicrecords.com; www.arkona-russia.com

Matthias Auch

Matthias Auch

Related reviews / interviews:
ARKONA - Two Decades: Live In Wroclaw (David Simonton)
ARKONA - Arkona / Illness (Thomas Meyer)
ARKONA - Live... For The Glory (Matthias Auch)
ARKONA - Vozrozhdenie (Matthias Auch)
ARKONA - Vo Slavu Velikim (Matthias Auch)
ARKONA - Goi, Rode, Goi (Matthias Auch)

Leave a Reply