Description
Arckanum (SWE) โ Gava Fran Trulen (The Demo Years)
After having gathered experiences in various bands as a drummer Shamaatae founded ARCKANUM out of his desire to combine his deep passion for Metal with dark magic and Satanism in 1992.
The demos and full lengths bearing the ARCKANUM logo that would be released up until 1998 garnered its sole member Shamaatae praise wide and far. Appreciated by adherents of Black Metal for its highly original and atmospheric sound, ARCKANUMโs merits aren`t restricted to releasing timeless music. Beginning with Fran marder, multi-talented Shamaatae โ by creating unmistakable covers, booklets, calligraphy, drawings and lyrics written in ancient Swedish โ not only succeeded in establishing a particular aesthetic for ARCKANUM but manifested a whole world or rather an antikosmos unto itself.
Demo -93 + Trulen
Although conceived as Shamaataeโs solo endeavour right from the start, the very first incarnation of the band comprised three members.
This three-piece line-up would go on to create ARCKANUMโs first official output Demo โ93. Recorded in the rehearsal room with minimalistic gear, Demo -93 is a rather raw, spontaneous affair driven by youthful enthusiasm. Stylistically torn between Death- and Black Metal, Demo -93 showcases a band still searching for their distinct identity. Having said that, the tape whose cover already blazoned a painting of Pan has this certain charm only the reckless fervour of youth is able to conjure and is a very rewarding listen not only for die-hard ARCKANUM fans.
Since the original tapes were mailed out by ARCKANUM, Demo -93 has never been available again. Therefore, DSR is immensely proud to be able to present this very first!!! rerelease of the demo!
Come 1994 ARCKANUMโs second and last demo Trulen is unleashed. Notwithstanding Demo โ 93โs merits, it`s with Trulen that Shamaatae would carve his own niche. Drawing copious amounts from the wellsprings of mad inspiration and totally immersed within his own world, this demo is where ARCKANUMโs journey really started. Most of the ingredients that turned the first three albums into highly original, magical records are already present in one way or another on this demo: the completely original and versatile vocals, the rather simple, repetitive but memorable riffs, atmospheric parts consisting of samples of nature sounds and keyboard melodies, the lyrics written and sung in Old Swedish etc. โ itโs all there. The development between this and the first demo is tremendous even more so considering everything was composed and recorded by only one person โ Shamaatae.
Original tape transfer, audio restoration and mastering by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in August 2025.
This release will come as a double-LP in a gatefold sleeve with UV-varnish on the cover.
Including a huge 20-page 12โ booklet with an in-depth interview (divided into 4 parts, this is part 1) with Shamaatae and many never seen before pictures.
An A2 poster will be added to every vinyl too.
