Review by Adam M on October 27, 2016.

This Ihsahn album is a return to form for the veteran after a slightly disappointing previous effort in Das Seelenbrechen. It shows him writing less experimental and more to the point songs that ring true of the couple of albums previous to that one. There is still some saxophone usage, but it is held in check by more focused and controlled song-writing.

The most experimental track on here is South Winds and it is a largely successful effort because it is held by a rhythmic backbone of the type that was lacking on his last album. Otherwise, Celestial Violence is a highlight with it’s building crescendo of excellence. The standout tracks on this album are not that highly placed above the remainder of the excellent tracks, however. There is more quality and consistency to be found on this album than the last. The tracks have a memorable aspect that is more akin to the days of Eremita and After. This is because of the aforementioned rhythms. There isn’t an off-kilter, all over the place approach, but simply more focus and drive. The songs seem more normal sounding than the previous work, which is another highlight of the work. There is simply a more palatable approach at hand. Still, I think this album loses a little bit of steam when compared with Eremita or After. There were so many memorable moments on those discs that it’s difficult to recapture the magic and makes the album a slight step down. It’s still another excellent entry to the canon of Ihsahn, but doesn’t have the impact of his best works. The slight taste of disappointment is alleviated by the mostly good song-writing, however.

Arktis. is a solid work that takes ingredients from his best works and puts them into a blender with the icy cold nature of the new songs and creates something compelling.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by JD on November 10, 2010.

Hearing a buzz about a band is both a good and bad sort of thing. It could point you to the next Metallica or point the way so you can get away from a really bad band. The trick is to really listen and to make sure your mind is switched on. I am istening.... brain is now engaged... starting... now! **Click**

Style is an intricate sort of thing, and something that help the world at large see you clearer. Greece bangers Hedon Cries scream out style, and that is backed up with a massive amounts of talent and undiluted heart. One listen to Hedon Cries’s "Hate Into Grief" and you will hear just what it is to have everything to make it... and are taking steps to use it.

Songs like the emotional steamroller of ‘I Feel Through Pain’ to the strange piano harmonies and haunting vibe of ‘...Grief’, you end up getting the strongest sense of what this amazing progressive yet thundering heavy band has in their arsenal. Articulate, powerful and all together strong in both music and lyrics... art and metal does go together, and well.

The band combines so many facets into their music and that all helps them come out sounding like no other band that is out there I know of. You know, they actually may have discovered a new genre of metal in the process of this album - Progressive Ambient Doom Metal. Artistic darkness for short.

One listen, and you will agree: Hedon Cries has offered up a true masterpiece in metal and music.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 6
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.0 out of 10