Release:

Ranka Kustannus
22.08.2014

Info:

Finland's newest melodic metal sensation Arion came out from the woodwork and dropped on the scene like a bomb. Comprised of a trio of 17 and 18 year old music students from Sibelius Lukio and their equally accomplished muso friends, Arion wrote their debut song “Lost” - a versatile piece of symphonic melodic metal - in the summer of 2012, entered it to the Eurovision song contest's Finnish qualification and found themselves in the nationally televised qualification rounds. Perplexed in the midst of the TV hoopla and everything therein, still trying to get to know each other as a band mates, Arion were already getting the first taste of celebrity treatment. After 3 televised performances, Arion's song sensationally wound up 5th among 540 songs and got nationwide applause and airplay.

Soon enough in May 2013 Arion signed with Ranka Kustannus, the label owned by Riku Pääkkönen, previously of Spinefarm fame and the foundation for success stories such as Children Of Bodom, Nightwish, Sonata Arctica etc.). A month later Arion already entered the studio to record their debut EP “New Dawn”, which subsequently got released in November to rave reviews.

The tracking of Arion's debut album started in October 2013 and eventually took six months. An unbroken string of melodic metal jewels, “Last Of Us” is laden with nothing but songs to die for and laced with nimble musicianship, bombastic arrangements and orchestrations (artfully crafted by Perttu Vänskä) & choirs, intelligent lyrics (guided and co-authored by Jani Liimatainen) and some of the most impressive vocal work you will ever hear from a 18-year old greenhorn. Whatever your particular poison is; be it a race car fast double bass pedal assault, a heartfelt ballad, more progressive song structuring or grandiose symphonic bliss, it's all there on “Last Of Us”. All masterfully realised and honed to perfection under the tutelage and surveillance of Matias Kupiainen (Stratovarius).

“Last Of Us” is slated for release in August 2014, and with its release Arion is ready to join the vanguard of the young Finnish metal forces alongside the likes of Lost Society and Santa Cruz. For too many years already, it has been the old guard who've given Finnish metal their internationally renowned face. Now the time for them to step down has come.

Arion. Remember the name. Minds will be blown.

Tracklist:

01. The Passage
02. Out of the Ashes
03. Shadows
04. Seven
05. Last of Us
06. I Am the Storm
07. You're My Melody
08. Burn Your Ship
09. Lost
10. Watching You Fall
11. Shadows (Extended version)

Line-up:

Viljami Holopainen - vocals
Iivo Kaipainen - guitars
Arttu Vauhkonen - keyboards
Georgi Velinov - bass
Topias Kupiainen - drums

Discography:

New Dawn ep/12” 2013
Last of Us 2014