Arcturus - The Sham Mirrors Vinyl Gatefold LP | Black

Following the kaleidoscopic brilliance of their 1997 sophomore album, La Masquerade Infernale, Arcturus faced the daunting task of crafting a worthy successor. The Norwegian avant-garde metal pioneers rose to the challenge with their third full-length, The Sham Mirrors, released in 2002. While less flamboyantly theatrical than its predecessor, The Sham Mirrors retains Arcturus’ experimental spirit, striking a balance between accessibility and their signature progressive complexity.

Garm (also of Ulver) delivers a vocal performance that soars to new heights, blending operatic grandeur with emotive versatility, from haunting cleans to commanding crescendos. Steinar "Sverd" Johnsen’s keyboards remain a cornerstone, weaving cinematic textures and classic prog-rock flourishes that evoke the likes of Pink Floyd and King Crimson. However, The Sham Mirrors sees the guitars, led by Knut Magne Valle, adopting a more conventional metal edge, grounding the album’s sound in a way that complements its avant-garde aspirations.

Far from a retreat, this shift toward tighter compositions showcases Arcturus’ evolution. The album’s sonic elements—layered atmospheres, intricate rhythms courtesy of Hellhammer’s precise drumming, and subtle electronic flourishes—serve the songs’ cohesive narratives rather than vying for attention. Tracks like “Kinetic” and “Nightmare Heaven” exemplify this refined approach, blending cosmic grandeur with introspective depth. The Sham Mirrors solidifies Arcturus’ reputation as innovators, proving they could streamline their vision without sacrificing the boundary-pushing creativity that defines them.

Tracklist:
1 Kinetic
2 Nightmare Heaven
3 Ad Absurdum
4 Collapse Generation
5 Star Crossed
6 Radical Cut
7 For To Yet End Again

Gatefold LP (black vinyl) incl. padded inner sleeve and protection sleeve (2nd edition WITHOUT poster)