It’s with the utmost pleasure that I give space to one of the best band in the neoclassical/ambient genre, Sweden’s Arcana [Arcana - A Peter Bjärgö project (Official)]. We got the chance to exchange some words with Cecilia [Ia] Bjärgö, one of the vocalists and Peter’s wife. When enquired about the latest addition in the formation and I’m referring to Narsilion’s Sergio Gamez Martinez & Nuria Luiz, she confesses : “We first met in Romania back in 2009 and we immediately became good friends. We did a little surprise show in the end of our gig and invited them on stage to do “Hymn of Absolute Deceit” with us. We loved the feeling of having a real violin on stage: so we started to discuss the possibility to include them live on stage”. Instead when Ia is approciated about the fact that in the Arcana’s discography misses only a live DVD, she states : “Of course, it has crossed out minds and we have started to collect all recordings. The problem is that we are never satisfied with our live performances”. 

(via Cecilia Bjärgö – Arcana « Femme Metal Webzine)

After the EP “Emerald” (that it was just an appetizer) we are ready to present you the new Arcana (Arcana - A Peter Bjärgö project (Official)) full-lenght. As Luisa states, “the band is back with an album that is even more far away from their main inspiration, Dead Can Dance, and draws from India, Buddhism, from the roots of humanity, though retaining their gothic/dark flavour”. Although their musical evolution “Arcana once again managed to create an album balanced between darkness and light, shadow and brightess, at the top of dark ambient scene”. 

(via Arcana – “As Bright As Thousand Suns” (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

“After some years of silence” the “legendary” Swedish “neoclassical-ethereal” band Arcana (Arcana - A Peter Bjärgö project (Official)) is back with an appetizer that introduce the full lenght “As Bright as a Thousand “. “Emerald” that includes 3 songs only, as happened to Luisa, will be capable to mesmerize you with “male vocals”, “chants” and “female opera vocalising”. Well, “if you are an Arcana fan, this release will not leave you disappointed”. 

(via Arcana – “Emerald” EP (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

If you love Björk and Sigur Rós - don’t forget to check out the third album [and the first one in English] “Sudden Elevation” by Ólöf Arnalds. This album that was totally founded by the fans thru PledgeMusic and released by One Little Indian Records on February. As our reviewer Matteo said ““Sudden Elevation” is a beautiful album, one of a delicate kind which is not usually found in today’s music; one song flows into another investing and fulfilling the listener like a calm sea”. Also the strenght of this CD is “how it is build: it starts with some very calm songs and then, from “Call It What You Want” you can hear a stronger rhythm, with percussion, more guitar, more instruments”. So it’s a CD with “different layers”, a way beyond to be “boring and repetitive”. 

(via Ólöf Arnalds – Sudden Elevation (2013) « Femme Metal Webzine)

After publishing the review, it’s time to delve intoSchoolcraft’s music universe with a nice interview. Schoolcraft is the solo musical entity leaded by Canadian singer and instrumentalist Lindz Riot. If you are wondering about the name’s origin you referring to one of her ancestors : “Schoolcraft is the last name of my great, great Grandmother who was a Native American. I named my solo project that as a tribute to her and the amazing blood line of chiefs and warriors I come from”. Recently she landed the touring female singer and keyboards position on UK symphonic extreme metal band Cradle of Filth about and about this she states :”I have been hired as a live touring musician with the band for the length of this year. No talks on what my future is with band from 2014 on, but I’m going to work my hardest and hope for the best”.  (via Schoolcraft « Femme Metal Webzine)

While we wait the “Rushing Through The Sky” EP’s review, I offer you the review of the debut SINGLE “Your Mind” by Schoolcraft, the solo project of the singer/instrumentalist (and now Cradle of Filth touring member too) Lindz Riot, that also she’s the singer of the Canadian gothic rock band Mary and the Black Lamb. Although this single contains only 2 songs, Lindz, with her vocals and skills, was able to positively impress our reviewer Luisa : “If this is just an appetizer of the album that will come, I will be really glad to listen to it! These two tracks sound really promising and diverse, so I am eager to listen to what she can do on her own!”.

(via Schoolcraft – “Your Mind” SINGLE (2011) « Femme Metal Webzine)

We have already introduced this Spanish artist (despite being a singer-songwriter, she’s also a gothic illustrator) a few days ago reviewing her debut album called “Ancient Shadows - The Ghost and the Fairy” that was out in 2006, now it’s time to let you know more about Priscilla Hernandez’s second album “The Underliving” that has only re-confirmed what was said before, read some words from Luisa’s review : “Even though the album is quite long, more than seventy minutes, it is very enjoyable and it is so beautiful to listen to it and relax. Let yourself be trapped by Priscilla and her world of light, darkness, magic, serenity and melancholy”. Do you love ethereal/celtic/ambient music? If yes, please give a chance to this artist! Just click in the link below for read it 

(via Priscilla Hernandez – “The Underliving” (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

We continue with the last album by Italian Dark Horror Ambient band Visioni Gotiche “Cancellata dal tempo”. The band presents itself with a new singer, Tiziana Radis and a nice concept based on story about ” a very beautiful girl kidnapped by the local lord who tortures her. She will be helped by a handmaid to find some old magic books and eventually find revenge and her true love”. Also to remember the guest starring of Andrea Cardellino from doom metal band Impero delle Ombre. As before, do you love horror music soundtracks? Just click in the link below and read the REVIEW  

(via Visioni Gotiche – “Cancellata del tempo” (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

Here served the fourth album by the Italian dark ambient band Visioni Gotiche, the band’s pivotal influence is “Claudio Simonetti (composer of most of Dario Argento‘s movies soundtracks) ” among the others. Following is a little except from the review from Luisa : “Visioni Gotiche‘s music is quite simple and basic: these guys prefer to conjure up images, sensations rather than playing long technical solos or singing complicated vocalising”. Do you love horror movies soundtracks? Just click in the link below and read the REVIEW (via Visioni Gotiche – “Il Segreto del Demone (The Secret of the Demon)” (2009) « Femme Metal Webzine)

While we wait to REVIEW her latest album “The Underliving” we propose you the debut album “Ancient Shadows – The Ghost and the Fairy” by Spanish Dark Ethereal Ambient artist (she’s also a gothic illustrator) Priscilla Hernandez. A true deal if you love fairy-ish and magic atmospheres - just read a few lines from Luisa’s review : “Her sweet vocals play on electronic and piano soundscapes, creating a relaxing, chilling atmosphere. Some melancholia may appear here and there as in “Ancient Shadow” or “I Steal the Leaves” which is my personal favorite on the album”. Do you fancy some ambient music? Check this TOP REVIEW (rated 90 OUT OF 100) in the link below 

(via Priscilla Hernandez – “Ancient Shadows – The Ghost and the Fairy” (2006) « Femme Metal Webzine)