Artist: Aranis
Label: Self-released
Release: 2007
Rating: 4.5/5
Aranis from Belgium are a band of seven young musicians who have only just started out on their musical journey, yet have already made a name for themselves in a short time. The credit for that goes mostly to their tireless live shows in Belgium, where they often get filed under classical music. And why not? The band is made up entirely of classical musicians and instruments. But that’s not all. Aranis aren’t just a classical ensemble that wandered into rock by accident. They weave all sorts of influences into their melodies, from avant-garde and folk to rock.
I’d simply describe Aranis as chamber classical music with a rock streak. The only real rock streak comes from the guitarist, who now and then throws in some heavier chords and plays more dynamically than is usual for classical music. Another difference from the classical world is that he plays an acoustic guitar rather than a classical one. You could maybe say the double bass player adds a rock element or two as well, much like in Apocaliptica.
Comparisons with Univers Zero are pretty much spot on. You could say Aranis are a mix of that old, gloomy sound and the newer, cheerful side of Univers Zero. The funny thing is that until recently Aranis had never even heard of their more famous countrymen. That just goes to show how the two bands developed in parallel by pure coincidence. Aranis don’t want to scare the listener at all costs, the way Univers Zero sometimes seem to (and that’s exactly why I love them so much!). They pour the whole palette of human emotions into their music and, through incredibly polished compositions, deliver it straight to the listener’s ears.
With Aranis I feel like I’ve been listening to them since childhood, every single day of my life. It seems like the music is a part of me. The first time I heard them, they already sounded so familiar, as if I’d heard them countless times before. Experiences like that are rare in life, which is all the more reason to cherish the ones you get. From the very first minute of their concert in Portugal, they transported me to a whole new world – a world of realistic fairy tales, where darkness mingles with goodness, and there’s no shortage of humor and sadness. The music has it all in abundance, every feeling you could want to hear in music.
The double bass player sometimes has lines that sound like he’s playing metal. Apocaliptica, eat your heart out! Now that’s the real deal. He can sound incredibly heavy and exceptionally refined at the same time. He’s also responsible for most of the compositions and arrangements. But like most good contemporary composers, Joris doesn’t want much of the spotlight. He mostly leaves the soloing to the other members, yet he’s always noticeable regardless. His lines are superb, from dead simple to mind-bogglingly complex. The lineup is rounded out by two violinists who trade off as soloists and play a few lovely duels (like the guitar duels in Iron Maiden). Then there’s the accordion, which I’ve been running into a lot in avant-garde music lately and have grown to love, after rejecting it for ages because of its association with Slovenian folk-pop. The accordion has a similar effect here to the harmonium in Univers Zero – it creates fantastic atmospheres. Here and there it’s also used as a solo instrument. The band also features flutist Jana Arns, who plays with incredible finesse. Her melodies are sensual and gentle, just like Jana herself. The piano is there too, maybe not as present as keyboard fans would like, but whenever it shows up, it always makes a lovely contribution. And last but not least, the only rocker, the long-haired guitarist, who is still more of a classical guitarist than a rocker.
Every time I put the CD back in the player, I wonder why I waited so long. An album that creates such a special atmosphere deserves a lot of attention and love. This music is the fruit of a great love for music, and the result is pure perfection. Aranis II is the album of a band that knows exactly what it’s doing. The songs are crafted to the point of pure musical perfection. The music is the kind that melts into me as if it were a part of me. Aranis may not reach deep into the soul of every rock fan, since, truth be told, I’d have a hard time filing their music under rock, but anyone who gives them a chance will be richly rewarded with music that’s technically flawless and still full of soul.
Lineup
Jana Arns – flute
Liesbeth Lambrecht – violin
Linde de Groof – violin
Marjolein Cools – accordion
Axelle Kennes – piano
Stijn Denys – guitar
Joris Vanvinckenroye – double bass
Production
Aranis
Tracklist
1. Kitano (3:57)
2. Vala (4:21)
3. Looking Glass (5:57)
4. Gona (4:44)
5. Walk in one’s sleep (6:11)
6. Moja (4:22)
7. Waris (4:53)
8. Turbulentie (6:16)
9. Trog (4:03)
10. Lovey-Dovey (4:39)
11. Mythra (5:04)
Album length: 54:43
