АРКОНА — Стенка на Стенку (review)

EP · 2011 · Folk Metal

3.5/5 · 2011-06-01
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Стенка На Стенку (aka Stenka Na Stenku and used herein to stick to English text) is a 2011 EP release by Russian folk metal act Аркона (aka Arkona and again used herein). It is the first release since the band expanded their line-up to five full-time members with the inclusion of Vladimir "Volk" on wind instruments. The release contains entirely new material although one song is an acoustic version of the prior full-length’s title track, Гой, Роде, Гой! (aka Goi, Rode Goi!) and the last two are cover songs.

In general the EP has a slightly different feel to it than any of the recent Arkona full-lengths, but I’d be willing to guess that this was actually the intention behind this release; to put out material that would not have necessarily worked within the grand context that is an Arkona album. The sound is more energetic and happy than much of the band’s material, especially the opening title track, whereas Arkona are better known to deliver darker songs, often with apt sad sounding melodies that really fit the mood. Of course the music on offer is still very recognisable as Arkona, and this is a subtle difference that perhaps only an experienced listener such as I would pick up on.

After kicking off with the title track, which is the EP’s strongest offering and moving on through another new song, Валенки (aka Valenki), which is their take on a traditional song, the EP takes on an acoustic direction for the new version of Goi, Rode Goi! I have to be honest that whilst the original is a very powerful folk metal monster, trying to get into this version is pretty difficult and requires several listens. After getting used to it however I found that it’s a very enjoyable version, though it does sound somewhat out of place on the EP, as it’s the sort of thing I’d expect to find in a bonus track, not a central piece of the main release, even if that release is just an EP. It’s easily the darkest sounding track on the release though and is suitable haunting.

Skål!, the fourth track, is a collaboration with the band Varg, who co-wrote the song with Arkona vocalist Masha "Scream" Arhipova. Guest vocals are provided by the band’s frontman Freki. It’s an okay song, but just not one the Arkona’s best. Indeed, it’s the first two songs that really make the EP worth listening to. Following Skål! is Дурень (aka Duren'), a cover from the band Сварга (aka Svarga). Finally to close off the EP is Новый Мир (Ođđa Máilbmi) (aka Noviy Mir (Ođđa Máilbmi)). Although promoted as a cover of the band Shaman (now known as Korpiklaani), the writing credits are actually shared with Masha “Scream” due to lyrical changes. Both are enjoyable pieces, but they further establish the fact that Stenka Na Stenku stands as a very much fans only release despite a solid level of quality.

I guess it can be expected that an EP release won’t be able to stand up to what a band does on their full-lengths. Stenka Na Stenku is pretty much a textbook example of that. The release is enjoyable enough but doesn’t sound like it will be winning Arkona over any new fans anytime soon. For the fan however Stenka Na Stenku is certainly a good release to tide you over until the band releases a new full-length, which hopefully will be able to retain the extremely high level of quality that the band delivered on Во славу Великим! (aka Vo Slavu Velikim!), От Сердца к Небу (aka Ot Serdtsa K Nebu) and most recently on Гой, Роде, Гой! (Goi, Rode Goi!). If you’re an Arkona newbie reading this then my advice is to seek out any of those three albums and only once you consider yourself a fan to come and check out Stenka Na Stenku.

(Originally written for Heavy Metal Haven, scoring 7.3/10)