Arctis, the latest addition to Finland’s Modern Metal scene, is gearing up for busy months. Signed to Napalm Records, the band’s debut album is set for release on November 1st with, amazingly I might add, their first live performance lined up as the supporting act for Apocalyptica’s European tour. In interview vocalist Alva Sandström and guitarist Björn Johansson to talk about their journey and what audiences can expect from their music.
Although Arctis officially formed in 2018, its members go way back. “Björn and Mika [drummer] have been playing together since they were teenagers” Alva explains. “We had a band before this, but the sound changed so much during the third album that we decided to start fresh with Arctis.” Björn adds, “It was exciting to create something new from the ground up. It felt like we were following a completely different path, and that’s where Arctis was born.”
Their debut single I’ll Give You Hell is a fast, high-energy track that sets the tone for what audience can expect from the upcoming album. “It was actually one of the last songs we added” Björn reveals, “We realized we didn’t have enough fast tracks, so we dug up this old demo we had made for fun. It was chaotic and wild at first, but we thought, let’s make something out of this. And it turned into a perfect album opener.” Alva continues, “We needed that song. It opens with a bang and brings the speed and energy we wanted.”
The album itself, however, has been in the works for a while. “It’s actually been finished since 2020.” Björn admits, “We didn’t release it because of the pandemic. We couldn’t go out and play, and we didn’t want the music to just disappear. We waited until the right moment, and now, with the tour and Napalm Records backing us, it feels like everything is in place.”
One of the more unexpected tracks on the upcoming album is the cover of Lambretta’s Bimbo. Originally suggested by their management, the band took the Pop Rock hit and gave it a Modern Metal twist. “It was a random suggestion, but it fits us surprisingly well.” Björn says. “There’s a connection between Arctis and Lambretta in terms of sound and attitude. Plus, it was a song I grew up with, so it was fun to reimagine it.” Alva adds, “It’s a fun track that brings some Nordic nostalgia into the mix. We turned it into something you can both dance and mosh to.”
Arctis’ actual first live performance will be supporting Apocalyptica in Luxembourg on November 11th. The band is excited but fully aware of the challenge. “We like to start with a big bang” Alva laughs, “We’re jumping into the deep end and hoping we can swim.” For Björn, playing with Apocalyptica is particularly meaningful, “When I started listening to metal, Apocalyptica was an emerging band. They are one of the legacy Finnish bands, along with HIM, Nightwish, and The Rasmus. It’s an honor to be on the road with them.”
As for the future, the band has no plans of slowing down. “We’ve already started working on the second album.” Björn reveals. “We’ve been writing demos during the pandemic, so there’s a lot of material ready to go. Now that we can finally release music, we want to keep the momentum going.” Alva concludes, “Our dream is to do big arena shows, with immersive visuals and an experience that leaves a lasting impression. We want Arctis to be more than just a band on stage—we want to create a world for our audience to step into. That’s where we’re headed, and we’re ready to go all in.”
Arctis interview 03.10.2024
Alva Sandström & Björn Johansson
Producer: Janne Vuorela
https://arctisofficial.com/
Picture: Arctis
