Ark

Ark | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 6, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 1, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sensory Records
• ASIN: B00004TB8Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #401,143 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Burning Down

2. Where the Winds Blow

3. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

4. Singers at the World's Dawn

5. Mother Love

6. Center Avenue

7. Can't Let Go

Editorial Reviews

Featuring ex-members of Riot, TNT, Conception & the Snakes.7 tracks including 'Burning Down', 'Where The Winds Blow' &'The Hunchback Of Notre Dame'. Standard jewel case. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Original and awesome., September 2, 2001

By 

Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ark (Audio CD)

Ark is the awesome new progressive metal band whose three permanent members are pretty prolific. Guitarist Tore Ostby made four albums with the awesome band Conception before they broke up, and he later worked with DC Cooper on the vocalist's solo project. Drummer John Maculuso worked previously with Yngwie Malmsteen and TNT, while vocalist Jorn Lande worked with The Snakes and Uli Jon Roth. Also performing with the band is keyboardist Trond Nagell Dahl (also of Conception).

I found Ark several months ago by following the work of Tore Ostby, since Conception had been one of my favorite bands. To say I was impressed would be a huge understatement, although to my surprise this is nothing like Ostby's work with Conception. As the band writes in the liner notes, "...written in total artistic freedom beyond the boundaries of style." As such Ark is quite a unique group, their first album like nothing I've heard before. To put it simply, they take a progressive metal base and flavor it with a number of diverse styles for a blend makes a simple "progressive metal" label limiting. This is _progressive_ metal, not just progressive metal (if you know what I mean).

Take "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," where twisty metal riffs blend with flamenco guitars, swirling piano solos, accordions, and grandiose church organs. Also amazing on this song are Lande's vocals. The song juxtaposes a dreamy, quiet passage ("I'm higher when I'm dancing in the moonlight") with self-deprecatory moments ("There's darkness in my soul"), and Lande conveys each with incredible ability. Whether he's wistful and fragile or fierce and torn by anger, his vocal delivery on this song is stunning. For the first few listens, Jorne Lande's rough n' tough vocals bothered me, but now I can't understand what my problem was. He's an amazingly versatile singer, capable of strong emotional expression (especially on "Can't Let Go"), and he is perhaps one of the most tonally rich rock/metal singers I know of.

Ark's music is technically stunning. Macaluso's intricate polyrhythmic drums continually bewilder me, especially on "Mother Love" where he's the main drive that builds the song's intensity towards the chorus. Ostby, of course, is awe-inspiring, whether he's demonstrating acute nuances or insane fretting acrobatics. And while Ark will blow you away with their musicianship, they also appeal on an emotional level. "Can't Let Go," with its lamenting saxophone flourishes and heartbreaking guitar solo, is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard. "Where the Wind Blows" has one of the best ever vocal melodies, and chorus is excellent.

It's a shame that the production is very poor. The instruments don't have a lot of "oomph" to them, and the bass is virtually inaudible most of the time. Compared to the killer recording on the band's second album, Burn the Sun, it's a lot tougher to listen to this disc. That's unfortunate, because the music is really great.

If you're a fan of progressive music with no adversity to some heaviness, pick up Ark. It's a challenging release that takes weeks, or even months, for its greatness to unfold... therein lies its value.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, June 25, 2001

By 

Greg Hasbrouck (Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ark (Audio CD)

One listen to ARK's self-titled debut, and you quickly realize that when these guys write music, they write music with absolutely no boundaries in mind. Within this CD exists a multitude of musical styles and genres. However, these diverse influences are blended in such a way, that it never seems that ARK is stretching the boundaries of taste, in favor of displaying their virtuosity.

Although ARK is a five-piece band, there are only three permanent members: Tore Ostby (guitar), Jorn Lande (vocals), and John Macaluso (drums). Individually, each member is a supremely gifted musician. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the members of ARK, the first name that you need to learn is Tore Ostby. He is an absolutely brilliant guitar player, whose style and grace are boundless. His solos seem effortlessly brilliant, and often guide ARK's songs into beautifully new directions. Jorn Lande sings with both power and passion. His work on "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is incredible. The only knock on Lande's singing is, that at times, he sounds drastically influenced by Whitesnake front man David Coverdale. The final compliment to ARK's amazing sound is John Malcuso's fantastic drumming. While he never overplays, he always seems to be doing something to enhance the song, and keep the listener on his toes.

Front start to finish, this is a wonderful CD. Whether it is musically, or lyrically, ARK has no weaknesses. Highlights on this CD include the aforementioned "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Where the Wind Blows", and "Singers at the World's Dawn".

I highly recommend this CD to anyone who is a fan of progressive rock, progressive metal, or great music in general.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Progressive Release of 2000. Hands down!, January 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Ark (Audio CD)

2000 was a banner year for progressive metal with spectacular releases from Pain of Salvation, Symphony X, and Spiral Architect. Ark, however, delivered the best album in years with their self-titled debut. This is Tore Ostby's best guitar work since Conception's "In Your Multitude", heavy and stylish. Jorn Lande's emotive Coverdale-like vocals fit perfectly and add charisma. Most impressively, John Macaluso provides some of the most complex polyrhythms you'll ever hear (certainly not from his work with Malmsteen or TNT). He is brilliant. This is a must have for all drummers. The songwriting is excellent and the arrangements are intricate. "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" should be a classic with its flamenco guitar, accordian, and piano lending atmosphere to the crunching central melody. With virtuosity, technicality, emotion, and melody this unfortunately poorly marketed CD shouldn't be missed.