Arcane have been both pioneers and a mainstay of the Brisbane progressive music scene since 2004, when they burst onto the local metal scene doing something very different for the time and the music culture of the day. Over the next few years with the help of OzProg.com and the growing progressive music scene they fine tuned their sound and live show to become one of Australia’s finest live prog acts. Being the very definition of the genre they exist in, the band have been in in a constant state of progression, and through various line up changes have truly forged themselves into a force to be reckoned with.
2007 saw the release of Arcane’s debut album ‘Ashes’, which proved from the get go that the band had a very focussed and specific goal; to create a rich and textured brand of dark progressive metal that did not exist at the time in this country. With a 25 minute epic title track, Ashes was the start of a journey that has seen the band team up with some of the best musicians on the local scene who mesh seamlessly on stage and in the studio.
The new album, ‘Chronicles of the Waking Dream’ sees the band take another jump in their perpetual evolution with a massive and complex story told by the mysterious Acolyte: Zero as he explains the experiences of a number of people who have all experienced the same event, yet interpreted it in completely different ways. The album deals with the concepts of synchronicity, pareidolia, religious fanaticism, regret, childhood imaginary friends and more. With rich textures and complex orchestrations Arcane have brought together an album that will take listeners on a journey of many shades and colours, highs and lows and various emotions as they follow the stories of the people all seeking to answer the question “What is May 26?”.
Another ever evolving aspect of Arcane is their live shows, which have grown to include a full video production projected over the band, produced and executed live by Red Tape Pictures. The full Arcane stage show is definitely one of the most mesmerising and memorable live shows on the Australian prog scene.
Arcane are Jim Grey (Vocals), Michael Gagen (Guitar), Brendon Blanchard (Bass), Matthew Martin (Keyboards and samples) and Blake Coulson (Drums).
