ArcterrA – Echoes
ArcterrA’s “Echoes” combines progressive metal and symphonic beauty, creating a piece that is both enthusiastic and ethereal. The song opens with cool synthesizers which give out an AOR/Progressive perception, nevertheless the core of the piece is melodic Progressive Metal. The music, with its melodic lines and strong drive, recalls the Scandinavian Progressive Power Metal genre of the 1990s. The female vocals appear at 0:42, creating an ethereal antithesis to the heavy musical arrangement. The vocals have a soft operatic and symphonic dimension, clearly inspired by bands like Nightwish, and bring an element of beauty to the music’s strong, dynamic sound. The interaction between the gentle vocals and the more challenging musical background creates an addictive tension which enhances the track. The song structure is deep and complicated, as is characteristic of progressive music, with slower, atmospheric elements as well as faster, more dramatic parts. This produces a journey-like atmosphere, with the arrangement supporting the song’s thematic exploration of sadness, hope, and a desire for salvation. The chorus, “Echoes through the ice, hidden deep inside, our hearts lie buried within the frozen tide,” is mysterious and poetic, providing depth to the song’s central theme. “Echoes” balances strength and beauty, presenting an interesting combination of symphonic vocals and progressive metal vibe.
